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LOS ANGELES, March 26 (UPI) -- Director Sam Taylor-Johnson is quitting the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise after all. Deadline confirmed her departure Wednesday after months of rumors regarding Taylor-Johnson's issues with Fifty Shades author E.L. James. The 48-year-old director confirmed the reports in February, telling Porter magazine that working with James had been "difficult."
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"Directing Fifty Shades Of Grey has been an intense and incredible journey for which I am hugely grateful. I have Universal to thank for that," Taylor-Johnson said in a statement.
"I forged close and lasting relationships with the cast, producers and crew and most especially, with Dakota and Jamie. 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."
Fifty Shades of Grey debuted on Feb. 13 and has grossed more than half a billion dollars worldwide. Its stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson are both expected to return for the sequels Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.
Universal has not announced any possible replacements for Taylor-Johnson.
