As of 2025, there is no official confirmation of a Fifty Shades IV film in development. The Fifty Shades franchise, based on the bestselling book series by E.L. James, has gained immense popularity worldwide, thanks to its exploration of the complicated relationship between Anastasia Steele (played by Dakota Johnson) and Christian Grey (played by Jamie Dornan). The first three films—Fifty Shades of Grey (2015), Fifty Shades Darker (2017), and Fifty Shades Freed (2018)—form a complete story arc, bringing their tumultuous romance to a conclusion.
However, despite the trilogy’s end, the idea of a Fifty Shades IV has persisted in the realm of speculation and fan interest. With the success of the films, especially in terms of box office earnings and global popularity, many fans have been eager to see what might happen next with Christian and Ana, or whether other characters in the Fifty Shades universe might be explored further. But despite the fan enthusiasm, there is no official word about a continuation of the series. Let’s dive deeper into the situation surrounding a potential Fifty Shades IV.
The Conclusion of the Original Trilogy
The Fifty Shades trilogy, as adapted for the screen by director Sam Taylor-Johnson and later James Foley, followed the intense relationship between the enigmatic and wealthy Christian Grey and the shy, independent Anastasia Steele. These films delved into themes of love, trust, power dynamics, and intimacy, drawing mixed reactions from critics but maintaining a strong fan base.
By the time Fifty Shades Freed was released in 2018, the storyline of the two main characters had reached a conclusion. Christian and Anastasia, after overcoming numerous personal and external obstacles, end the trilogy happily married and with a child on the way. The film wraps up the arcs of their relationship, including the tension surrounding Christian’s past and the couple’s efforts to find a balance between love and personal growth.
In the books, E.L. James later published Grey and Darker, which retell the events of Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker from Christian’s perspective. These books, while adding more depth to Christian’s character and his emotional struggles, don’t necessarily leave much room for a new narrative that would require a whole new film series.
Fan Speculation and Online Buzz
Despite the conclusion of the original story, rumors and speculation about Fifty Shades IV continue to circulate online. The internet is full of fan theories, imagined plotlines, and even fan-made trailers. Some of these fan-made projects, such as Fifty Shades 4: Revenge Teaser, have gone viral on platforms like YouTube, generating further excitement and hope among viewers. These unofficial creations often reimagine the future of Ana and Christian’s relationship, with new challenges and conflicts emerging after their marriage.
However, it’s important to note that these fan-made teasers and rumors should be taken with caution. They are not part of any official plans by Universal Pictures or the filmmakers involved in the Fifty Shades series. They are purely speculative and fan-driven, often fueled by the passion of the fandom.
Statements from the Cast and Creators
In interviews following the release of the final film in the series, both Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, the stars of the Fifty Shades films, made it clear that they had no immediate interest in reprising their roles for a potential fourth film.
Jamie Dornan, in particular, has repeatedly discussed how he sees his time as Christian Grey as a unique experience. He has even mentioned in various interviews that, while he enjoyed playing Christian, he believes it was a one-off character, and he’s unlikely to return to the role anytime soon. In a 2020 interview with Yahoo Entertainment, Dornan reflected on his portrayal of Christian Grey, stating: “I’ve never done anything close to it since and probably never will again because it’s kind of its own thing.” He also mentioned that after wrapping up the Fifty Shades trilogy, he was eager to explore different kinds of roles in his career.
Similarly, Dakota Johnson, who portrayed Anastasia Steele, has expressed her gratitude for being a part of the films, but also her desire to move on to different kinds of projects. In an interview in 2021, Johnson commented on the experience of playing Anastasia, stating that she was proud of her work in the series but had no interest in returning to it for a fourth film. Both actors have since focused on a variety of other projects, with Dornan taking on roles in different genres and Johnson working on films such as Suspiria (2018) and The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019).
The films were also based on E.L. James’s novels, and while she has occasionally hinted at additional stories or ideas, there has been no substantial announcement from the author about expanding the Fifty Shades universe beyond what was already covered in the trilogy and its spin-off books (Grey and Darker). The idea of continuing the series seems unlikely, especially given that the last film wrapped up all of the central plot points.
The Possibility of a Prequel or Spin-Off
While a Fifty Shades IV film is not in development, there has been some talk about potential spin-offs or prequels. In particular, there has been interest in exploring the backstory of Christian Grey, especially given the enigmatic and troubled past of the character. E.L. James’s Grey (which is told from Christian’s perspective) and Darker delve deeper into his early life, his psychological issues, and his traumatic childhood. These could serve as the foundation for a prequel film or series, though there have been no official announcements in that regard either.
In recent years, Hollywood has seen a trend in creating spin-offs from popular franchises, such as The Witcher series on Netflix or the Fantastic Beasts films from the Harry Potter universe. A Fifty Shades prequel focusing on Christian’s past, his family, and his development as a man would certainly attract interest. However, as of now, there has been no official confirmation of such a project.
Conclusion: What’s Next for the Fifty Shades Universe?
Despite the immense popularity of the Fifty Shades trilogy, there has been no official announcement regarding the production of a Fifty Shades IV film or a continuation of the story. The trilogy wrapped up its narrative arc, leaving Christian and Ana in a relatively happy place. While fans continue to imagine what might happen next through fan fiction or unofficial teasers, both the stars and the creators have moved on from the project, focusing on other ventures.
However, there remains a possibility that the Fifty Shades franchise could explore other storylines, such as prequels or spin-offs based on Christian’s past. As of now, though, these are just speculative ideas, and no concrete plans have been announced.
For fans eager to revisit the world of Fifty Shades, they can always turn to the original trilogy, the spin-off books (Grey and Darker), or the possibility of a future prequel or spin-off—though they will need to temper their expectations for an official Fifty Shades IV. The future of the series remains uncertain, and it seems that the story of Christian and Ana has come to a close.
