'Fifty Shades of Grey' sequel lines up new director

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Fifty Shades of Grey sequel Fifty Shades Darker is lining up its new director.

James Foley is reportedly the frontrunner to helm the upcoming adaptation, but Mark Pellington and Tanya Wexler are also being considered. Sam Taylor-Johnson directed Fifty Shades of Grey to financial success, but confirmed her exit from the franchise in March.

Foley is known for helming At Close Range with Sean Penn and Glengarry Glen Ross with Al Pacino, and directed several episodes of Netflix series House of Cards. If chosen, he may shoot Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed back-to-back.

Actor Jamie Dornan and actress Dakota Johnson will reprise Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele in the sequel and Fifty Shades Freed, but aren't signed on to the Christian Grey spinoff Grey. A first Fifty Shades Darker teaser trailer was released in April.

Fifty Shades of Grey and its sequels are based on the E.L. James novels of the same name, which follow the relationship between BDSM-loving businessman Christian and college student Ana. The first movie earned over $569 million at the box office.