Universal may have a director for the upcoming "Fifty Shades Darker."

According to the Hollywood Reporter the studio has shortlisted three directors for the job. The directors are Jamey Foley, Mark Pellington and Tanya Wexler. The search has been going on for months after Sam Taylor-Johnson, who directed the first installment, chose not to return to helm the sequel.

According to the source, however, there is no offer yet, and producers are still searching. However, the THR does admit that Foley looks like he is the front-runner for the job.

All three directors have big track records and have experience. Foley has directed a number of episodes for Netflix's "House of Cards." He has also directed the dark thriller "Fear," starring Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon, and 2007's "Perfect Stranger."

Meanwhile, Pellington has directed "Arlington Road," starring Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins, while Wexler directed the period film "Hysteria," starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy.

"Fifty Shades Darker" has had a hard time getting made, as it suffered a number of controversies, including conflicts over whether Jamie Dornan would go full-frontal.

Additionally, there was a controversy with Taylor-Johnson, as she was vocal about her hardships with author E.L. James. According to Taylor-Johnson, James was too opinionated about the adaptation of the book.

The upcoming sequel sees the return of Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, and the film is supposed to center on Anastasia's relationship with billionaire Christian Grey and their continuing sexual relationship.

The film is being produced by E.L. James, Dana Brunetti and Michael De Luca. Meanwhile, Niall Leonard, who is married to British author James, is writing the screenplay for the film. He is taking over for Kelly Marcel, who wrote the first movie.

"Fifty Shades Darker" will hit theaters on Feb. 10, 2017 and Universal has also scheduled the third installment, "Fifty Shades Freed," for Feb. 9, 2018.

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