Dakota Johnson, star of the upcoming film “Madame Web,” has taken her passion project to the next level by announcing her directorial feature debut. The actress revealed plans for her debut while attending the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where she was set to receive the prestigious President’s Award.
Johnson’s debut is a project close to her heart, which she’s working on alongside “Cha Cha Real Smooth” co-star Vanessa Burghardt. Johnson praises Burghardt as an “incredible autistic actress,” and credits her with giving her the confidence to direct.
As for what she hopes to achieve in her new role, Johnson emphasizes the importance of collaboration and healthy set dynamics. She believes that a successful film is one where people feel something, whether it’s emotional resonance or intellectual stimulation.
Johnson has navigated various roles within the industry, from indie productions like “Am I Ok?” to major studio projects like “Madame Web.” She acknowledges that measuring success in filmmaking is becoming increasingly complex due to changing audience preferences and box office trends.
When asked about her future acting projects, Johnson expressed enthusiasm for playing different characters, including a psychopath and an action hero. She’s currently set to star in Amazon MGM Studios’ film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling psychological thriller “Verity,” directed by Michael Showalter.
While details are scarce on her upcoming directorial project, Johnson teased that it’s something exciting and can’t be disclosed just yet. With her passion for filmmaking and dedication to meaningful storytelling, fans can expect big things from this talented actress-turned-director in the future.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/global/dakota-johnson-feature-debut-1236448040