Fifty Shades of Grey: EL James enlists husband Niall Leonard to pen movie sequel

Director Sam Taylor-Johnson and screenwriter Kelly Marcel have both quit

EL James and Niall Leonard attend the Fifty Shades of Grey film premiere (Getty Images)

You’d be forgiven for assuming that Mr EL James must be sick of Fifty Shades of Grey by now, but nope, think again.

Niall Leonard, who has two sons with his bestselling author wife, has jumped on board to write the sequel for the next movie adaptation of her erotic novel series.

Leonard is a screenwriter with past experience on TV shows including Wire in the Blood and Air Force One is Down. He also penned the Crusher books.

James enlisted her husband to help on the screenplay for the first Fifty Shades film, which grossed a massive $568.8 million worldwide, but his name did not feature in the credits.

“Niall is an outstanding writer in his own right, with multiple established credits, and we are lucky to have him join Team Fifty,” producer Michael De Luca told The Hollywood Reporter.

Director Sam Taylor-Johnson and screenwriter Kelly Marcel have both quit the franchise, reportedly after clashing with James.

The 52-year-old was a constant presence on set and demanded much of the creative control, forcing Taylor-Johnson to keep her original ending. Rumours suggest that James wants to write the next script herself but this is yet to be confirmed.

Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan at the Fifty Shades of Grey premiere (Getty Images)

Lead stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson are negotiating higher salaries for Fifty Shades Darker and it remains unknown whether either or both will return. Universal is also yet to find a replacement director.

Leonard’s representative has been approached for a comment.