Dakota Johnson and her “Cha Cha Real Smooth” co-star Vanessa Burghardt are teaming up once more, but this time it’s not for a 2022 romantic comedy-drama. For this new venture, neither actor is anticipated to be in front of the camera during production.
As per reports from the Kering Women in Motion conversation event at Cannes, Johnson has announced that she intends to make her directorial debut with an as-yet-untitled film. The screenplay for this project was written by Vanessa Burghardt, who is not only an actress and musician but also autistic. Johnson shared that they have collaborated on developing the script together, and it focuses on a young woman with autism. Johnson expressed her strong desire to protect Burghardt’s unique perspective and story, indicating that she might find it difficult to let another director take the helm. So, we’ll have to wait and see if this project comes to fruition.
The movie “Cha Cha Real Smooth,” a 2022 romantic comedy drama, was brought to life by TeaTime Pictures, the production company owned by Johnson, established in collaboration with Ro Donnelly. Cooper Raiff, who both wrote and directed the film, also took on the role of its main character – a 22-year-old college graduate earning income as a party organizer, while developing a relationship with a 32-year-old mother portrayed by Johnson. Upon its release on Apple TV+, “Cha Cha Real Smooth” received favorable feedback from critics, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting an impressive approval rating of 85%.
Dakota Johnson Is the Latest Actor to Move Behind the Camera
Most recently, Johnson ventured into directing with her debut project, the 2024 short film titled “Loser Baby“. This production made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival last autumn. The short film served as a prototype for a potential TV series that unfortunately didn’t get picked up, leaving Johnson disheartened. She candidly expressed her thoughts, saying, “It’s a story about a group of queer friends in Los Angeles navigating their relationships, complexities, friendships, sexuality, and identity. Yet, no one seemed interested in making it. I thought, ‘Why? This is such an important global discussion that needs constant attention.’ So, it remains as a prototype, still proving its worth.
Though I’m growing more passionate about directing, I’ll continue to be visible on-screen as well. Currently, I’m in Cannes promoting the comedy film “Splitsville,” where I co-produced and played a role in, portraying a woman navigating an open relationship while helping her friend recover from a breakup. The movie also features Michael Angelo Covino (who also directed it) and Adria Arjona.
As a movie enthusiast, I’m eagerly looking forward to catching Emily in action before “Splitsville” hits theaters in August, courtesy of Neon. The movie that Johnson’s fans can see her in next is the romantic comedy titled “Love at First Sight,” due for release in June. In this film, Johnson’s character, a New York matchmaker, navigates a complex relationship triangle with a new love interest played by Pedro Pascal and an old flame, Chris Evans. Moving ahead, I can’t wait to see Emily as part of the star-studded cast for the film adaptation of “The Great Gatsby,” slated for release by Amazon MGM Studios in Summer 2026.
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2025-05-19 22:20