While her mainstream projects have won her incredible popularity,Dakota Johnsonappears to have found her niche in the indie space. She’s currently promoting her directorial debut, the short filmLoser Baby, which recently debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival. During a chat with Collider’s Editor-in-ChiefSteve Weintraubat TIFF, Johnsonteased her upcoming projects, which include directorCeline Song’s highly anticipated follow-up toPast Livesand a production titledSplitsville.
Johnson didn’t reveal much aboutMaterialists, theromantic comedy filmin which she stars alongsideChris EvansandPedro Pascal, but said that she had “the most amazing time” working with Song. “I am deeply in love with her, and with her as a director, as a filmmaker, as a human,” she added, as she spoke about the two projects that she has lined up through her production banner, TeaTime Pictures. Only one of them, however, has been announced so far.
Directed by and starringMichael Angelo Covino,Splitsville, Johnson said, “is happening as we speak.” It will be shot “back-to-back” with the as-yet-unannounced second film, which she is going to shoot this year. She stars alongsideHit ManbreakoutAdria ArjonaandKyle MarvininSplitsville, which is supposedly about a couple that considers an open marriage as a way to salvage their relationship. Marvin also starred in Covino’s acclaimed directorial debut,The Climb, which also dealt with themes of infidelity and romance.
Dakota Johnson Keeps Building Her Indie Cred
The Climbpremiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 and has a “fresh” 90% score on the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes. It also played at the Telluride, Toronto, and Sundance film festivals, before the pandemic threw a wrench in Sony Pictures Classics' release plans for the movie.Past Lives, on the other hand, wasamong the breakout indie hits of 2023, grossing over $40 million worldwide and scoring Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture nods at the Oscars.
Johnson broke out with a starring role in theFifty Shades of Greytrilogy, and more recently, dabbled in mainstream fare again with the much-ridiculed superhero filmMadame Web. The movie bombed upon release, earning terrible reviews from critics and fans. But despite her uneven track record in the mainstream,Johnson has sustained a largely acclaimed career in independent film, having starred in titles such asThe Lost Daughter,Cha Cha Real Smooth, and more recently, the chamber-piece-on-wheels,Daddio, which is available to rent or buy on Prime Video. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
A woman taking a cab ride from JFK engages in a conversation with the taxi driver about the important relationships in their lives.
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