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After a successful run in front of the camera in films such as the 'Fifty Shades series,' 'The Materialists,' and 'Splitsville,' Dakota Johnson is making the transition to the director's chair. Her upcoming feature 'A Tree Is Blue' will mark her first full-length directorial project, and the news is already generating buzz—with Charli XCX and Jessica Alba reportedly joining the cast. Johnson, who has been subtly establishing herself as a producer and director, is now embarking on a daring new stage with this project.
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From Actress to Filmmaker: Johnson's Next Chapter
From her breakthrough performance in 'Fifty Shades of Grey' to more recent independent dramas like 'The Materialists,' Dakota Johnson's acting career encompasses a broad variety of genres and roles. She has shown an increasing interest in the artistic process of filmmaking by acting as producer off-screen under the TeaTime Pictures label. Johnson is now completely assuming the job of a director with 'A Tree Is Blue.'
This full-length film will be a major step up from her last short film, 'Loser Baby,' which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024.
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Although she acknowledged in past remarks that she was hesitant to direct, she claimed that the project was "very close to her heart," and that she "just won't allow anybody else do it."
The Film, Story & Cast Line-up
Vanessa Burghardt, who previously featured alongside Johnson in 'Cha Cha Real Smooth,' is the author of the coming-of-age drama 'A Tree Is Blue.' According to reports, the movie follows the path of a young autistic lady who, in the summer following high school graduation, aspires to be independent of her overprotective mother. Burghardt is in advanced negotiations with Jessica Alba and Charli XCX to join the cast.
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Charli XCX has recently expanded into acting roles, while Jessica Alba continues to balance acting, producing and business ventures. The film is financed by Rivulet Entertainment, produced by Johnson alongside Ro Donnelly and Sam Racanelli for TeaTime, and will begin production in Los Angeles next month.
With Johnson concentrating on creating a safe, cooperative set—she has openly discussed about avoiding hostile work situations on her projects—this debut highlights both the finished product and the production process. Johnson's decision to pursue directing is in line with her changing professional perspective, which emphasizes telling important stories, especially those that highlight marginalized voices and experiences. With 'A Tree Is Blue,' Dakota seems ready to make a profoundly personal and artistically ambitious statement.
