Dakota Johnson confirmed she is directing her first feature film during an interview at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Known for her acting roles in Michael Angelo Covino’s Splitsville and Celine Song’s Materialists, Johnson is preparing to star in Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming film Verity alongside Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett. This new project marks her step into directing, a significant milestone in her career.
The film is a deeply personal endeavor for Johnson and involves close collaboration with Vanessa Burghardt, her co-star from Cha Cha Real Smooth, who co-wrote the screenplay. Johnson expressed hesitation about directing projects in the past but explained that Burghardt’s involvement made this project different.
Protecting the Project and Creating a Healthy Set Environment
Johnson shared with Variety,
“I’ve always felt that I’m not ready to direct a feature,”
reflecting earlier doubts about taking on a directing role. Yet, she clarified her confidence in this film due to her strong connection with Burghardt, saying,
“I can see this world, so I just won’t let anybody else do it. That’s the real answer.”
Beyond directing, Johnson is active as a producer and takes great care to cultivate a positive atmosphere on set. She emphasized the importance of collaboration and healthy working relationships among cast and crew.
“If there’s not a healthy collaboration, if it’s not a good match, then it’s not a good match,”
she said, stressing that the team would halt production if those conditions were not met.
She further remarked,
“I can’t waste time on toxic sets anymore, or in situations that are not fun or fulfilling or healthy,”
adding,
“That’s one of the perks of [producing], because I get to put amazing people together and make something.”
Film Focus and Previous Directorial Experience
During a discussion at Cannes with her producing partner Ro Donnelly for Kering Women in Motion, Johnson revealed the film’s story centers on a young woman with autism. She praised the screenplay as particularly meaningful, describing it as really special.
This is not Johnson’s first time behind the camera, as she previously directed a short film titled Loser Baby, featuring Talia Bernstein, Chelsea Frei, and Jessy Hodges. The new feature represents a significant expansion of her artistic pursuits beyond acting.
With her directorial debut underway, Dakota Johnson is stepping confidently into a new creative role, determined to bring a distinct vision to life while maintaining a supportive and collaborative filmmaking environment.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Dakota Johnson a Nepo baby?
A. Dakota Johnson, whose parents are well-known, sought financial assistance from them during the challenging times in her acting career.
