Fifty Shades of Grey sequel: Kim Basinger will play Christian Grey's ex-lover Elena Lincoln

After months of speculations about the cast and filming, Universal Pictures has finally zeroed in on casting the most controversial character of Elena Lincoln for Fifty Shades of Grey movie sequel. The production company has signed Kim Basinger to play Christian Grey's business partner and former lover.

In Fifty Shades Darker, Elena plays an important role as Anastasia Steele, the naive college student who falls in love with the BDSM-loving billionaire, will learn that it was Elena, a friend of Christian's mother, who introduced him to the world of bondage, dominance and submission while he was only 15.

An adaptation of E.L. James' best-selling erotic novel series Fifty Shades, the second movie will narrate the love story of billionaire entrepreneur Christian (Jamie Dornan) and Ana (Dakota Johnson).

The filming for the second and third part of the blockbuster trilogy is expected to begin in mid-2016. After Sam Taylor-Johnson, Universal has hired James Foley to helm the upcoming sequels. While the first movie was much of a romance-filled erotic journey of the two lead characters, the upcoming movies will be treated as thrillers. And to serve the purpose, author James' husband Niall Leonard has been hired to write the script, Variety reports.

The first movie of the BDSM-themed series ended with Ana leaving Christian after he caned her in the red room of pain. The upcoming sequel will focus on how Christian's character tries to win back Ana, who has shifted to Seattle for her job. However, their love story will face hurdles not only due to Elena's influence but also because of Ana's possessive boss, who is smitten by her beauty.

Fifty Shades Darker is scheduled to premiere on 10 February 2017 and Fifty Shades Freed will hit theatres on 9 February 2018.