Universal(LOS ANGELES) — Furious 7 and Fifty Shades of Grey are two of the highest-grossing movies of the year so far, so it’s no surprise that Universal Pictures has scheduled sequels for both.
The eighth installment in the Fast and the Furious franchise will open April 14, 2017, Universal announced Thursday. Vin Diesel is expected to return to the series, which will carry on without his late co-star Paul Walker.
Universal also revealed that the second film in the Fifty Shades trilogy, Fifty Shades Darker, will debut Feb. 10, 2017. It will be followed by Fifty Shades Freed on Feb. 9, 2018.
Fifty Shades of Grey stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan reportedly are negotiating higher salaries. Their director for the first film, Sam Taylor-Johnson, announced last month she will not be back.
Fifty Shades author E.L. James’ husband, Niall Leonard, will write Fifty Shades Darker.
Furious 7 is the highest-grossing film of 2015 to date, having earned $300 million and counting at the domestic box office. Fifty Shades of Grey ranks third, with $166 million.
Among the other new Universal dates announced Thursday: Warcraft debuts June 10, 2016; The Mummy bows March 24, 2017; and Pacific Rim 2 drops Aug. 4, 2017.
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