As if Jamie Dornan’s Christian Grey didn’t have enough to contend with what with all the former flames, Variety is reporting that Fifty Shades Darker has cast The Knick‘s Eric Johnson as Christian’s arch rival, Jack Hyde.
Set to ruffle a few feathers in the erotic sequel, Jack Hyde acts as the new boss and would-be suitor of Anastasia Steel (Dakota Johnson), effectively igniting Grey’s worst characteristics as he looks to maintain his overly possessive and warped hold on Steel. Because in the world of E.L. James’ fiction, rational thought is often tossed out the window.
Johnson will join fellow newcomers Kim Basinger and Bella Heathcoate (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) for Fifty Shades Darker, with Universal poised to film both the sequel and the trilogy-capping Fifty Shades Freed back-to-back. The latter recently added Ballers actress Arielle Kebbel as, you guessed it, former flame and beautiful architect, Gia Matteo.
One key member that won’t be returning to the fray is director Sam Taylor-Johnson, after exiting the budding franchise due to on set clashes and creative differences with author E.L. James. In her steed, James Foley is in line to direct both Darker and Freed, which have set sights for the opportune Valentine’s Day window in 2017 and 2018, respectively. But can they top the $570 million haul of 2014’s promiscuous sleeper hit? Time will tell.
Fifty Shades Darker will slink into theaters on February 10, 2017. Meanwhile, Fifty Shades Freed will follow hot on the heels by bringing the curtain down on Christian and Ana’s twisted, passionate relationship on February 9, 2018.
