The author of the extremely successful Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, E.L. James, has tapped her writer husband to pen the second film in the franchise, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Niall Leonard, who has been married to James for 28 years, is also a successful author and screenwriter. In fact, he was the one who worked on the script for the first Fifty Shades movie, though he was uncredited.

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Some of Leonard's credentials include being the writer of the book series, Crusher and working on some British television shows including the highly rated crime drama Wire in the Blood and Air Force One is Down.

In an official statement, film producer Michael De Luca described Niall as an "outstanding writer with multiple established credits" and confirmed the news by saying that they are lucky to have Niall in "Team Fifty."

The first movie was a real box office success, earning more than US$560 million worldwide. However, despite the success, director Sam Taylor-Johnson and screenwriter Kelly Marcel have announced that they will not be coming back for the second film after repeatedly clashing with James over creative control.

In an interview with Porter magazine, Sam admitted that she found it difficult to work with James. Describing their arguments as "creative fights," she said that she simply looked for a way to satisfy her vision and make what she wrote come to life, and at the same time, fulfill her own vision of the movie.

And while she's out of the franchise, she expressed her gratefulness for being a part of something so "intense and incredible," and "wish nothing but success" to the next director who will be taking on the challenges of directing the next two films. 

The film's stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson are also reprising their roles but are reportedly asking for a huge pay raise for the sequel.

TagsE.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Niall Leonard, Kelly Marcel, Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson