Despite the first Fifty Shades of Grey film making a big splash at the box office this year, director Sam Taylor-Johnson is stepping away from the franchise.
The news comes after reports Sam clashed repeatedly with author E.L. James, who wrote the series of erotic novels the films are based on.
Sam told Porter magazine back in February that the two definitely had their fair share of fights over the project. According to rumour, the tension arose over Sam’s decision to make certain changes to the film compared to the book.
Officially, however, Sam has nothing but kind words for the film and its future sequels.
“Directing Fifty Shades of Grey has been an intense and incredible journey for which I am hugely grateful,” she said in her statement.
“I have Universal to thank for that. I forged close and lasting relationships with the cast, producers and crew and most especially, with [Dakota Johnson] and [Jamie Dornan]. While I will not be returning to direct the sequels, I wish nothing but success to whosoever takes on the exciting challenges of films two and three.”
