Saying Goodbye to Director James Foley: A Talented Visionary Behind "Fifty Shades of Grey" Sequels
James Foley, the director of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' series, tragically passes away. - "Director James Foley, known for the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' movie, has unfortunately passed away."
Hey there! Let's chat about James Foley, a director who left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Known for helming blockbuster dramas like "Glengarry Glen Ross" and the "Fifty Shades of Grey" sequels, tragically, he's no longer with us. James passed away on account of a brain tumor, as confirmed by his agent Taylor Lomax to the New York Times. The Los Angeles Times shares the sad news, too, revealing a close friend's heartfelt tribute from talent manager Florent Lamy.
James' final cinematic ventures were the steamy sequels to the popular erotic drama "Fifty Shades of Grey" - "Fifty Shades Darker" (2017) and "Fifty Shades Freed" (2018) - starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson. From 2013 to 2015, James directed 12 episodes of the gripping political series "House of Cards," featuring the talents of Kevin Spacey.
Red Carpet Berlinale debut
One of James' early triumphs was the psychological thriller "At Close Range," premiered at the Berlinale in 1986. This dramatic gangster epic featured powerhouse performances from Christopher Walken and Sean Penn. James also directed several music videos for pop icon Madonna and even cast her in the hilarious "Who's That Girl" (1987).
With a star-studded ensemble that boasted Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Ed Harris, and Alan Arkin, James directed the drama "Glengarry Glen Ross" about ruthless competition within a Chicago real estate office. In "Fear - When Love Hurts" (1996), up-and-comers Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon stole the show, followed by "The Chamber" with Chris O'Donnell and the legendary Gene Hackman, based on a John Grisham novel. Finally, in 2007, James directed the suspenseful thriller "Temptation" featuring Bruce Willis and Halle Berry.
James Foley: A diverse filmography
Going beyond his work on the "Fifty Shades of Grey" sequels and "House of Cards," James Foley's filmography encompasses an impressive range of critically acclaimed works. Here's a glimpse at some of his notable films:
- Reckless (1984): His directorial debut, this romance starred Aidan Quinn and Daryl Hannah.
- At Close Range (1986): A gripping drama film graced by Sean Penn.
- Who's That Girl (1987): A comedy brought to life by Madonna.
- After Dark, My Sweet (1990): A film noir adaptation of Jim Thompson's novel, helmed by James.
- Glengarry Glen Ross (1992): A drama based on David Mamet's play, featuring a stellar cast.
- The Corruptor (1999): An action-packed film with Chow Yun-Fat and Mark Wahlberg.
- Confidence (2003): A crime thriller headed by Edward Burns.
- Perfect Stranger (2007): Another suspenseful thriller starring Halle Berry.
In addition to "House of Cards," James had an enviable career on the small screen, though his TV work wasn't as widely recognized as his film work. Throughout his creative journey, James proved himself a versatile director, demonstrating a striking ability to explore various genres and collaborate with industry greats.
- James Foley, the director of fifty shades of grey sequels, tragically passed away due to a brain tumor, as confirmed by his agent Taylor Lomax to the New York Times.
- Reminiscing James Foley's career, we note his work on Fifty Shades Darker (2017) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018), the steamy sequels to the popular erotic drama.
- In a tribute to James Foley, talent manager Florent Lamy praised the filmmaker's exceptional ability to work in various genres, from drama to comedy and thriller, such as his directing of Madonna's music videos.
- As Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson took the lead in the Fifty Shades sequels, James Foley continued to establish his diverse filmography, with earlier works like At Close Range (1986) premiered at the Berlinale and the gripping psychological thriller Who's That Girl (1987) featuring Madonna.
