The countdown is on! Fifty Shades sequel given 2017 release date while fans must wait until February 2018 for final part of trilogy 

The release dates for the sequels to Fifty Shades Of Grey have been unveiled.

Fifty Shades Darker will hit cinemas on February 10, 2017, while the trilogy will complete on February 9, 2018 with Fifty Shades Freed.

The dates, which didn't quite have the serendipity to fall on Valentine's Day like the original, were announced at this year's CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

Countdown: The release dates for Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Free have been announced at CinemaCon, as Feb 10 2017 and Feb 9 2018, respectively
Countdown: The release dates for Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Free have been announced at CinemaCon, as Feb 10 2017 and Feb 9 2018, respectively

Countdown: The release dates for Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Free have been announced at CinemaCon, as Feb 10 2017 and Feb 9 2018, respectively

The films two stars Jamie Dornan, who plays kinky billionaire Christian Grey, and Dakota Johnson who plays his student lover Anastasia Steele, are still in negotiations for the remaining films, but are expected to return.

Last week it was announced that the books' author E.L. James had recruited her husband to write the screenplay for the upcoming sequel to the blockbuster movie.

Niall Leonard will write the screenplay for Fifty Shades Of Darker, according to an article on Wednesday by The Hollywood Reporter.

Leonard has written for British TV and authored the Crusher book series and also helped out on the Fifty Shades Of Grey script but was not credited. 

Coming back: Stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan are still in negotiations but are expected to reprise their roles as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey

Coming back: Stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan are still in negotiations but are expected to reprise their roles as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey

Teaming up: E.L. James and her husband Niall Leonard who will write the sequel Fifty Shades Darker are shown in February at the London premiere of Fifty Shades Of Grey

Teaming up: E.L. James and her husband Niall Leonard who will write the sequel Fifty Shades Darker are shown in February at the London premiere of Fifty Shades Of Grey

'Niall is an outstanding writer in his own right, with multiple established credits, and we are lucky to have him join Team Fifty,' said producer Michael De Luca in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

James, whose real name is Erika Leonard, wrote the Fifty Shades trilogy of books and has kept strong creative control over the film adaptations.

She clashed with Fifty Shades Of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson, 48, over aspects of the film, including its ending. 

Popular books: James, shown in February in London, wrote the Fifty Shades trilogy series that has sold more than 100 million books worldwide

Popular books: James, shown in February in London, wrote the Fifty Shades trilogy series that has sold more than 100 million books worldwide

James was also a producer on the film and she alluded to their conflicts earlier this year, telling The Associated Press that she 'had to fight for a lot of things really hard,' which included a disagreement over the last line of the film.

It was announced last month that Taylor-Johnson would not be returning to direct the sequels Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.

Dakota Johnson starred as Anastasia Steele opposite Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey in the first movie and they're expected to return for both sequels. 

Creative tensions: Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson, left, is shown with stars Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson and James at the film's London premiere

Creative tensions: Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson, left, is shown with stars Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson and James at the film's London premiere

Fifty Shades Of Grey screenwriter Kelly Marcel also will not be returning for the sequel.

The erotic thriller was released in mid-February and has taken in nearly $570 million at the worldwide box office.

Dakota and Jamie reportedly have been negotiating for more money for the sequels. 

Box office hit: Johnson and Dornan are shown in a scene from the film that has taken in nearly $570 million

Box office hit: Johnson and Dornan are shown in a scene from the film that has taken in nearly $570 million

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