MANILA, February 1, 2017 – Universal Pictures’ eagerly anticipated romantic thriller Fifty Shades Darker has been approved for exhibition by the Movie & Television Rating and Classification Board (MTRCB) with a rating of R-18 which means the movie is strictly for 18 years of age and above.
The sequel to the 2015 blockbuster love story Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker was approved in its original US version – WITHOUT cuts, blurs and blacked-out parts.
The MTRCB justified its R-18 classification due to the following contents in the film:
• Prolonged and realistic depiction of sexual activity and aberrational sexual behavior;
• Scenes involving bondage and dominance, sadism and masochism
• Nudity (breast, butt and public hair exposures and
• Strong and / or sexual language.
Meanwhile, advance ticket-selling has started for the film – fans can now buy their tickets and be among the first to see Fifty Shades Darker in cinemas.
Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson return as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades Darker, the second chapter based on the worldwide bestselling Fifty Shades phenomenon. Expanding upon events set in motion in 2015’s blockbuster film that grossed more than $560 million globally, the new installment invites you to slip into something a shade darker.
When a wounded Christian Grey tries to entice a cautious Ana Steele back into his life, she demands a new arrangement before she will give him another chance. As the two begin to build trust and find stability, shadowy figures from Christian’s past start to circle the couple, determined to destroy their hopes for a future together.
Also returning from Fifty Shades of Grey are Academy Award® winner Marcia Gay Harden, Jennifer Ehle, Luke Grimes, Rita Ora, Victor Rasuk, Eloise Mumford and Max Martini, who are joined for the first time by Oscar® winner Kim Basinger, Hugh Dancy, Bella Heathcote and Eric Johnson.
Fifty Shades Darker is directed by James Foley (Fear, House of Cards) and once again produced by Michael De Luca, Dana Brunetti and Marcus Viscidi, alongside E L James, the creator of the culture-spanning blockbuster series. The screenplay is by Niall Leonard, based on the book by James.
The film features the song “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker)” performed by international superstars Zayn | Taylor Swift. The official soundtrack album arrives in stores and via online partners soon.
Opening across the Philippines on Wednesday, February 8, Fifty Shades Darker is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.
