Fifty Shades Darker casts Kim Basinger as Christian Grey's ex-lover

She is 30 years Dornan's senior

(Getty)

The sequel to box office smash Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, has cast a key role, with LA Confidential’s Kim Basinger set to play Elena Lincoln.

In the books, Lincoln is Christian Grey’s business partner and also a former lover. The character will it seems be portrayed as a good bit older than Grey, with Academy Award winner Basinger being 62 and Jamie Dornan aged 33.

The character of Lincoln was hinted at in the first film, paving the way for a big casting.

Production is set to commence in the spring, according to Variety, with Dakota Johnson, Luke Grimes, Eloise Mumford and Max Martini all returning.

James Foley (Glengarry Glen Ross) will take over as director, with Niall Leonard (Wire in the Blood) helping pen the script.

Fifty Shade Darker will shoot back-to-back with the final instalment, Fifty Shades Freed.

Basinger will next be seen in Nice Guys, starring opposite Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe.