Fifty Shades Of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson threatens to QUIT after bust-up with author EL James

Looks like the next two movies will have a new director then…

50-shades-crew

by Anna Lewis |
Published on

Just when things were looking particularly peachy for the Fifty Shades Of Grey crew (the film took a whopping £13.5million at the box office in its opening weekend), something has to go and rock the boat.

Despite previously saying she’s “signed on” for the second and third* Fifty Shades* movies, director Sam Taylor-Johnson might be about to jump ship after numerous disagreements with the books’ author EL James – real name Erica Mitchell.

TOP NEWS

Last night a senior film insider revealed to The Sun: “Sam won’t be back for the Fifty Shades sequels. She wants out and Universal knows that’s the right decision.

“Her relationship with Erika has become absolutely toxic – they despise each other and blame each other for the problems with the film.”

The pair have been locking horns over the level of sexual material to be included in the movie.

The source explained: “All the biggest arguments were about the sex scenes in the film.

“Erica wanted the movie to be loyal to the book and much more explicit.

“But Sam pushed back because she wanted the movie to be more than just a collection of S&M scenes.”

50-shades

Creative control

Unfortunately for Sam, EL James was given significant creative control over the film when she signed a £3million deal with Universal and Focus Films in March 2012 giving them the rights to adapt her bestseller for the big screen.

Another source said: “That made life on set completely impossible for Sam.

“Directors usually have the ultimate control over what goes on in a movie, but in this case Erica was questioning literally the most minor things.

“She was able to have the final say over the cast, the costumes and, crucially, the script.

“They’re both very powerful and assured women so there was clash after clash after clash.

“The whole film has not been an enjoyable experience for most of the people involved.

“In particular, Sam found it just too much.”

Perhaps this isn’t such a shock, seeing as both the director and author have mentioned the difficult working relationship in the past. But not quite to this extent…

Sam said recently: “We’d often clash and have to find a way to work through that to get to some sort of resolution.

“She would be the first to say as well that it was not easy. It was not easy. But we got there. I think both of us felt it was an incredibly painful process.”

She added: “It’s difficult. When you have an author and an auteur, it’s a difficult and challenging relationship.

“I’m not saying that at times it wasn’t helpful, but there were times when it was really, really frustrating.”

Breaking point

The pressure almost brought the film director to breaking point last year.

Recounting the filming process, she said: “I’m literally going out of my mind. It’s like walking a knife-edge. The moment I stepped out of the meeting, I stepped onto one of those bullet trains.

“The doors closed and I couldn’t get off. The speed, the velocity, was unbelievable. I need to get off and breathe and think about something else.”

EL James added: “People are going to butt heads, and that is exactly what happened.”

Come on guys – can’t we all just have a nice cup of tea and get through this?

Gallery

Fifty Shades Of Grey London premiere: Dakota Johnson wows in white, Jamie Dornan looks sooo suave plus all the other looks

Ashley Roberts1 of 13

Ashley Roberts

The former Pussycat Doll decided to go for fifty shades of gold instead of grey, with her blazer unfortunately looking like a child got their hands on some metallic Sharpies. Looks like she lost a button on the way there too, poor love

Nadia Sawalha and Sherrie Hewson2 of 13

Nadia Sawalha and Sherrie Hewson

Nadia added a pop of colour with her fuchsia coat, whereas Sherrie wrapped up warm to beat the chill

Denise Van Outen3 of 13

Denise Van Outen

Denise looked amazing (if not a little chilly) in her monochrome co-ords

Sadie Frost4 of 13

Sadie Frost

Eeeek. We like her sleek bob very much, but those diamante ring details are a bit too Walford for our liking

E.L. James5 of 13

E.L. James

Author E.L. James must be pretty minted by now, right? She chose a dazzling floor-length gown for her big night

Sam Taylor-Johnson6 of 13

Sam Taylor-Johnson

Director Sam Taylor-Johnson opted for a sparkly mini and bejewelled heels

Kate Garraway7 of 13

Kate Garraway

How very appropes with the theme of the evening, eh?

Jamelia8 of 13

Jamelia

It was all about the plunge for Jamelia. We're not so keen on the boob-revealing frock but we heart the shoes

Sharleen Spiteri9 of 13

Sharleen Spiteri

Texas lead singer Sharleen went for a slightly funeral feel in her all-black ensemble

Maria Menounos10 of 13

Maria Menounos

Maria kept it casual in khaki leather trews and a tonal coat

Lizzie Cundy11 of 13

Lizzie Cundy

Yes, there is such a thing as too much leather

Dakota Johnson12 of 13

Dakota Johnson

The star of the show wowed in her flowing Saint Laurent gown with an embellished trim and a super plunging neckline. We're crushing on her vampy lips too

Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner13 of 13

Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner

Mr Grey himself looked as dashing as ever, with his stunning wife Amelia by his side donning a chic printed frock. We want your pixie cut, Amelia! And your hubby. But we'll settle for your hair

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us