'Fifty Shades Darker' release date, plot, & update: James Foley replaces Sam Taylor-Johnson; what Dakota Johnson thinks of new director

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A new director will helm the filming of "Fifty Shades Darker." According to Cinema Blend, James Foley will direct the second movie installment of the "Fifty Shades" trilogy.

Foley has been working on television lately. He has worked on episodes of "WayWard Pines," "Hannibal," and more recently on "The House of Cards" series.

Despite his recent focus on television, Foley does have experience in film. He has directed the following feature films: "Glengary Glen Ross," "At Close Range" and "Who's That Girl?"

Design and Trends explains that director Sam Taylor-Johnson, who directed the film adaptation of "Fifty Shades of Grey," opted not to return for the production of the second film in the trilogy.

Kpop Starz points out that Taylor-Johnson and the author of the series, E.L. James, reportedly constantly butted heads during the filming of the first film, which is probably why Taylor-Johnson decided to leave the project.

Taylor-Johnson admitted to fighting with the writer on Porter Magazine. "I'm not going to lie. We definitely fought but they were creative fights and we would resolve them," she said.

With Taylor-Johnson in the wind, Foley has already started meeting some of the actors in "Fifty Shades Darker. In a recent interview with Empire, Dakota Johnson admitted that she has already discussed the film with Foley, but did not elaborate on any details of their conversation.

Johnson plays Anastasia Steele in the series, who is the main female character in the books. Dakota did talk a bit, however, about how it felt to be working under a new director.

She describes her fears of treading uncharted waters with Foley, especially after getting to know Taylor-Johnson's style so well. The actress told Empire:

"There was a moment of being afraid, because I didn't know what it was going to be like. I had an experience with Sam [Taylor-Johnson] and then that all went away. Now I'm excited. I think James is a talented filmmaker. How often do you get to reconvene with the same people and have a different spin?"

Besides Dakota, Jamie Dornan will be returning for "Fifty Shades Darker," as Christian Grey. No news has been announced as to who will be playing the other characters needed for the film, which include Jack Hyde, Mrs. Robinson and Leila Williams.

"Fifty Shades Darker" is scheduled to premiere on Feb. 10, 2017, reports Music Times. Meanwhile, the third installment of the trilogy is expected to be released on Feb. 9, 2018.