E. L. James Demands Script Control for the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Sequel

Based on a series of novels by E. L. James the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey has become a massive hit, earning $85 million on its opening weekend in the USA and amassed a box office gross of over $311 million worldwide from a $40 million budget. Universal have confirmed they are going to make the sequels despite the negative reviews the first movie received, including here. Variety has now reported that James, real name Erika Leonard, wants more of a creative role for the sequels and demands to have script control. It is believed that James wants to write screenplay and Universal have confirmed that discussions will take place. James has no experience as a screenwriter and this would delay the production for Fifty Shades Darker. Before writing fan-fiction and erotica James was a producer on British television, working on shows like the popular panel show Have I Got News for You and medical drama Bodies. The British tabloid The Sun reported four days ago that director Sam Taylor-Johnson will not come back for the sequels amidst rumors that she clashed repeatedly with James with James rejecting changes, rewrites and demanded more of BDSM sequences in the movie. Whoever takes over in the director's chair will need to comply to James' will. Fifty Shades Darker was originally set for a early 2016 release, but this is likely to be pushed back to late 2016 or early 2017. Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan are likely to respire their roles.