Fifty Shades of Grey author EL James has recruited her husband to write the screenplay for the sequel of the film version.
Niall Leonard is an author and screenwriter whose credits include the television shows Monarch of the Glen and Wire in the Blood and the crime fiction books Crusher.
"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 said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news of his appointment.
EL James has developed a reputation for being controlling over her material and was very hands-on during the filming of Fifty Shades of Grey.
It has been reported that the delay in announcing the screenwriter for the sequel, Fifty Shades Darker, was because James herself wanted to write the script.
She also had multiple clashes with the director Sam Taylor-Johnson over the vision for the film, which grossed $US568.80 ($734.05) million at the global box office.
Neither Taylor-Johnson or the screenwriter Kelly Marcel will be involved in the second film.
There have also been reports that the lead actors, Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, did not get along during the filming and are negotiating for more money to return for the sequel.
In better news, British singer Rita Ora looks set to remain part of the franchise.
Leaked emails from Sony executives said she will be back playing the role of Mia Gray in the next two instalments of the movie.
Fairfax Media
