The director of 12 episodes of "House of Cards" is the likely director of the upcoming "Fifty Shades Darker." However, confirmation appears tentative because while Deadline says that James Foley would likely get the job, E! News cites another source that says Foley is only the frontrunner, no contract has been inked yet.
The sequel of "Fifty Shades of Grey" is scheduled for showing on February 10, 2017. It follows up the box office success of the blockbuster movie, starring Jamie Dorman as Christian Grey and Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele with whom the main character has S&M sex. It was directed by E.L. James.
Besides "House of Cards," other directorial credit of Foley include "Close Range," "Glengarry Glenn Ross," "Who's That Girl" and "Perfect Stranger." It would be his first feature film since 2007, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The first director of "Fifty Shades of Grey" was Sam Taylor-Johnson who quit the franchise in March. Niall Leonard, James's husband, joined the team as scriptwriter for the sequel.
After "Fifty Shades Darker," Universal scheduled the showing of "Fifty Shades Freed" in February 2018. Rumors say that Foley would likely get the directorial job too for that to meet the film company's release date.
Besides the continuation of Christian and Anastasia's sexual relationship, the sequel would have suspense - for which Foley is known for - and Grey's former lover who stalks him as well as a harassing boss as new characters.