As we get gradually further into 2017, there are a ton of major blockbusters to look forward to. And while some moviegoers may be excited about the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there is also a captive audience for the Fifty Shades franchise. After making serious bucks with its first installment, the story of Christian and Ana will continue with the upcoming sequel Fifty Shades Darker. And those who can't wait till February for all of the steamy love scenes and plot twists are in luck, as Universal has been releasing new footage and trailers fairly often.
In fact, a new extended trailer was just released, and it's just as sexy and creepy as you'd think. Check it out.
Since when did the Fifty Shades movies become thrillers? Not that I'm complaining- the sequel looks decidedly more captivating than the original.
Fifty Shades Darker will pick up shortly after the first movie ended. Ashamed of his behavior towards Anastasia, Christian Grey decides he is willing to do anything to mend their relationship. This includes ditching his dominant/submissive lifestyle, and having a normal vanilla relationship with Ana. Don't worry- they'll still be doing the horizontal mambo and fooling around in elevators, but she'll no longer be at Christian's beck and call.
So everything should be peaches and cream for the sexually ambitious couple, right? Wrong. Fifty Shades Darker will dive into Christian's sordid and dark past, and introduce characters who have had complicated relationships with the protagonist.
First up is Kim Basinger's Elena Lincoln, Christian's longtime business partner and friend. It was Lincoln who first introduced Christian to the world of BDSM when he was just 15 years old, leading Ana to nickname her "Mrs. Robinson". Lincoln is clearly not happy with Christian's new "normal" relationship, and will presumably shake things up for the couple.
Then there's Leila Williams, played newcomer by Bella Heathcote. Leila is a former submissive of Christian's, and she clearly looks a bit unhinged. Seeing him with an equal partner, and not a submissive, will presumably weigh on her psyche and entice her to perform some dangerous acts. From the above trailer, it looks like Leila is the main antagonist of the movie, although she may end up being a red herring.
Overall, Fifty Shades Darker looks like a wild ride that will expand the world of the franchise for first time viewers. And then there's the many fans who read the novels first, and will be ready to enjoy seeing E.L. James' stories on the silver screen.
Fifty Shades Darker will debut in theaters on February 10th, 2017. The film stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan as the lead characters, reprising their roles from Fifty Shades of Grey.
