Fifty Shades Darker movie: Jamie Dornan is ready to play Christian Grey in the sequel

After a lot of controversies, Fifty Shades Darker is finally taking shape as Universal has hired James Foley to helm the second and third part of the blockbuster trilogy. The franchise's lead star Jamie Dornan has, meanwhile, expressed his excitement at playing the BDSM-obsessed billionaire Christian Grey.

"I'm looking forward to embodying Christian again – and getting a chance to show more of him," he told People. The 33-year-old Irish actor is expecting his second child with wife Amelia Warner and was chosen as one of the sexiest men alive by the US magazine.

The filming for the second part of the erotic franchise, based on the best-selling novels by EL James, will begin in January 2016. In the first movie, naive college student Anastasia Steele (played by Dakota Johnson) splits from her bondage and dominance obsessed boyfriend after he canes her in the Red Room of Pain. But in the upcoming film, she will again be lured by Christian into his sadomasochistic world. But this time their sex-filled romance will be eclipsed by Ana's boss Jack Hyde's obsession towards her.

The first movie in the erotic movie trilogy was made on a $40m budget but went on to gross $569m worldwide. However, due to creative differences, the film's director Sam Taylor-Johnson left the franchise prompting many to speculate about the future of the BDSM-themed movie.

The second and third films in the series will be shot back-to-back and the producers have promised that the sequel will be more of a thriller than just a kinky love story between the lead couples.

Author James's husband, Niall Leonard, has been hired to write the script in the manner of a thriller for the sequels. The movie will focus on how Dornan's character tries to win back his love Ana, while she manages her new job. Fifty Shades Darker is scheduled to premiere on 10 February 2017 and Fifty Shades Freed will hit theatres on 9 February 2018.