‘Fifty Shades Darker’ Update: Studio has Three Directors Lined Up

James Foley, who has directed episodes from Netflix's original series, "House of Cards" and "Hannibal," has been linked to the "Fifty Shades of Grey" franchise. According to the rumors, Foley and Universal Studios have begun their negotiation process for the sequels, "Fifty Shades Darker" and "Fifty Shades Freed."

Other rumors claimed that if the 61-year-old passes on the erotica films, the studio already has two more directors lined up. The studio will reportedly consider directors Tanya Wexler and Mark Pellington, the Digital Trends reported.

If Foley joins the project, he will be working with E.L. James, the author of the book series that the movies are based on, producers Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti, and lead actors, Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson. The scripts were written by James' husband, Niall Leonard.

The "Fifty Shades" series revolves around the relationship between Christian Grey (Dornan), a billionaire, businessman who likes BDSM and Anastasia Steele (Johnson), who is a college graduate ready to take on the world. The couple hits a rough patch when Steele decides that she does not want to sign Grey's contract and become his submissive.

In the second movie, which is supposed to be much darker, Grey and Steele's relationship will be tested by the demons of Grey's past. The characters, Elena Lincoln/Mrs. Robinson, who was Grey's dominant and Leila Williams, a previous submissive, will be introduced. Jack Hyde, Steele's boos, is also supposed to be joining the plot.

The first movie, "Fifty Shades of Grey," performed very well in the box office despite the early scathing reviews. The movie, which cost about $40 million to make, brought in $569 million worldwide.

"Fifty Shades Darker" is set to hit theaters on Feb. 10, 2017. "Fifty Shades Freed" will be released on Feb. 8, 2018.