Acclaimed actress Dakota Johnson has just returned to the spotlight with Materialists, Celine Song’s latest rom-com. Starring alongside Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, the film has become one of the summer’s standout titles. At the box office, Materialists has risen to the top by exploring the modern phenomenon of institutionalized matchmaking through a romantic lens.
Meanwhile, Dakota Johnson is gearing up to direct her first feature film. While receiving an Honorary Award at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, she revealed that the film’s lead will be Vanessa Burghardt, an autistic actress she previously worked with on Cha Cha Real Smooth. Dakota Johnson also spoke candidly about her decision to avoid toxic set environments as an actress.
“I’ve always felt that I’m not ready to direct a feature,” Johnson admitted. “I don’t have the confidence, but, with Vanessa, I feel very protective and I know her very well. I can see this world, so I just won’t let anybody else do it. That’s the real answer.”
“I can’t waste time on toxic sets anymore, or in situations that are not fun or fulfilling or healthy. That’s one of the perks of [producing], because I get to put amazing people together and make something.”
“I don’t want to face people who are not willing to collaborate,” she continues. “And then there are obvious things. We all know what a toxic set is by now. We’re artists, so there’s room for expansive personalities, and we’re working with emotions. I love a healthy argument on a set, and I also believe that the most excellent idea wins. It’s not a fight. It’s not a race. It’s a collaboration.”
As for Dakota Johnson’s directorial debut, which she describes as “very close to her heart,” no release date has been set yet, and details about the film remain under wraps.
