E.L. James' Husband Is Writing 'Fifty Shades Darker' Script

E.L. James, the author behind the "Fifty Shades of Grey" franchise, wanted to write the script for the sequel. Now her husband is doing it.

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Complex Original

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Niall Leonard, husband of Fifty Shades of Grey author and creator E.L. James, has been hired to write the screenplay for the upcoming film sequel Fifty Shades Darker

Because what's the point of being a powerful author / Hollywood person if you can't hook your people up with a job? As long as Leonard doesn't mind being the Turtle to her Vincent Chase, it's all good (OK, sorry, Leonard's probably more of an E in this scenario). 

It seems like this might be Universal figuring out how to protect the franchise and give James a little more control of the script. James reportedly wanted to write the next one herself, but Leonard has more experience as a screenwriter. To be clear, he's never written anything as high profile as Fifty Shades, but he has  at least written for several British TV series. 

James, who was a producer on the first film, reportedly clashed with director Sam Taylor-Johnson (read: drove Taylor-Johnson nuts) and wanted to write the next one herself. It was announced last month that Kelly Marcel, who wrote the first film, and Taylor-Johnson wouldn't be back for a sequel, despite the first one making a half billion dollars. 

 

 

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