In terms of these two verses the director Sam Taylor-Johnson and author E.L. James, things got way more heated. The two got into screaming matches which lead to near-brawls. With all of this bad energy rolling around, Johnson ended up leaving the film franchise. She was once asked if she would co-direct the movie all over again, and she said, "Of course I wouldn't. I was so confused by E.L. James. I don't understand when I can't navigate a person when there's no synergy.