<P> Universal Pictures and Focus Features secured the rights to the trilogy in March 2012, and Universal is the film's distributor . The first book of the series was adapted into a film by the same name, and released on February 13, 2015 . The adaptation was produced by Focus, Michael De Luca Productions, and Trigger Street Productions . In March 2014, a producer of the first film, Dana Brunetti, had said there were, as of then, no solid plans to make a sequel . Before the first film opened, there was high anticipation from fans for the sequel . When the first film premiered at a special fan screening in New York City on February 6, director Sam Taylor - Johnson announced that the book sequels Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed would also be adapted, with the first to be released in 2016 . Right after the announcement, the director told Digital Spy that "it's not my decision, and I haven't been privy to any of the discussions ." </P> <P> On March 25, 2015, Taylor - Johnson officially left the franchise . On April 2, 2015, Deadline confirmed that De Luca had left Sony Pictures to return to Universal to produce the Fifty Shades sequels . On April 22, 2015, it was announced that E.L. James' husband, Niall Leonard, would write the script for the sequel . In April 2015, Universal Pictures chair Donna Langley told The Hollywood Reporter that the second installment would be "more of a thriller ." In July 2015, it was confirmed that singer Rita Ora would reprise her role, Mia Grey, in the sequel . On August 20, 2015, it was revealed by Deadline that James Foley was the front - runner to direct the sequel and third film Fifty Shades Freed, while the studio was also eyeing other directors, including Rebecca Thomas, Mark Pellington, and Tanya Wexler, and talks with Foley had not yet begun . On November 12, 2015, TheWrap confirmed that Foley would direct both sequels, which would be shot back - to - back in 2016, with Michael De Luca and Brunetti returning to produce, along with E.L. James . Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan were confirmed to return for the sequels . </P> <P> On January 28, 2016, Kim Basinger joined the film, to play Elena Lincoln, Grey's business partner and former lover, while Luke Grimes, Eloise Mumford and Max Martini were set to reprise their characters from the first film . On February 5, Bella Heathcote was cast as Leila, one of Grey's former submissives . In the same month, Eric Johnson was cast to play Jack Hyde . On February 18, Robinne Lee and Fay Masterson joined the film's cast . On February 26, Tyler Hoechlin was cast to play Boyce Fox, and on April 7, it was reported that Hugh Dancy had joined to play Dr. John Flynn, Grey's psychiatrist; neither actor appeared in the finished film . </P> <P> Principal photography was initially set to begin in Vancouver in June 2015 . However, it was later postponed due to delays in the script . It was later reported that filming would begin in February 2016 in Vancouver, while the studio North Shore Studios was booked for the film . In November 2015, Universal Studios announced that the film and Freed would be shot back - to - back, with principal photography scheduled to commence in early 2016 . Filming took place in Paris and Vancouver from February 9, 2016 to July 12, 2016, under the working title, "Further Adventures of Max and Banks 2 & 3 ." Principal photography concluded on April 11, 2016 . </P>

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