Dakota Johnson Teases Directorial Debut: ‘I Just Won’t Let Anybody Else Do It’

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Fresh off the success of the A24 romantic dramedy “Materialists,” star Dakota Johnson has revealed that she is close to finalizing the deal for her feature directorial debut — a project she told reporters would star Vanessa Burghardt, with whom she worked in 2022’s “Cha Cha Real Smooth.” While appearing at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival (where she will receive the President’s Award), Johnson teased that project was “very close to her heart,” and she thought Burghardt, “an incredible autistic actress.”

“I’ve always felt that I’m not ready to direct a feature,” she said. “I don’t have the confidence, but, with her, 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.”

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Johnson has directed one short film “Loser Baby,” which premiered at TIFF TV in 2024. She has also stepped into the producer’s seat on several occasions, including with “Cha Cha Real Smooth,” as well as “Am I OK?,” “Daddio,” “Splitsville,” the series “Slip,” and the upcoming film “Verity,” which stars Anne Hathaway.

Johnson has often expressed her opinions on the state of Hollywood filmmaking. During an appearance last month on “Hot Ones,” Johnson decried the proliferation of remakes and reboots.

“When something does well, studios want to keep that going so they remake the same things, but humans don’t want that,” she said. “They want fresh, they want to feel new things, experience new things, see new things, so I don’t know, I guess it’s all just a bit of a mess right now, isn’t it?”

At Karlovy Vary (via Variety), Johnson discussed how she expects a set to be run when she works on a film —previewing how her own future production might operate.

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“I don’t want to face people who are not willing to collaborate,” she said. “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.”

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