Passion, mystery, envy, deception, danger – five fiery ingredients that will be tossed into the mix for Fifty Shades Darker, if the sequel’s character posters are any indication.
Embedded below, you’ll find the likes of Dakota Johnson (Ana Steele) and Jamie Dornan (Christian Grey) joined by some of the film’s new recruits. Behind the scenes, it’s a similar story. After steering Fifty Shades of Grey into a worldwide phenomenon two years ago, Sam Taylor-Johnson bowed out of directing duties – a fallout with series author E.L. James and a generally horrid experience at the helm are reportedly to blame for that one – opening the door to franchise newcomer James Foley. Perhaps in an effort to steady the ship, Universal has gone one step further to ensure Foley will return to direct Fifty Shades Freed, which will close the book on Christian and Ana’s wildly over-the-top saga in 2018.
Circling back to Darker, though, we know that Foley has brought together a cast comprised of old faces and new, including Marcia Gay Harden, Jennifer Ehle, Victor Rasuk, Luke Grimes, Rita Ora, Eloise Mumford and Max Martini. Meanwhile, Kim Basinger, The Neon Demon‘s Bella Heathcote and Eric Johnson headline the new additions.
We are, at the time of writing, one week away from indulging in the fiery second chapter in Christian and Ana’s story. Yes, Fifty Shades Darker is due to light up theaters on February 10th – capitalizing on that all-important Valentine’s weekend – when James Foley’s erotic sequel will be vying for box office supremacy with The LEGO Batman Movie and John Wick: Chapter 2.