ENTERTAINMENT

Dakota Johnson's Big Plans: From Acting to Directing

Karlovy Vary, Czech RepublicSun Jul 06 2025
Dakota Johnson is making waves in the film industry, not just as an actress but also as a director and producer. She's set to receive a major award at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where she's showcasing two of her recent films. But that's not all—she's also gearing up to direct her first feature film, a project that's very personal to her. Johnson has been working on this directorial debut with Vanessa Burghardt, an actress she admires deeply. Despite initially feeling unsure about directing, Johnson's confidence grew as she realized she couldn't entrust this project to anyone else. Her protective instincts kicked in, and she decided to take the reins herself. As a producer, Johnson places a strong emphasis on creating a healthy and collaborative environment on set. She's learned the hard way that toxic sets are not worth her time or energy. She believes in the power of healthy debates and the importance of choosing the best ideas, not just winning arguments. Johnson's perspective on success in filmmaking has evolved. She no longer measures it solely by box office numbers. Instead, she values the emotional impact a film has on its audience. She finds joy in seeing people connect with a movie, regardless of its size or budget. Looking ahead, Johnson is excited about her next acting project, a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's psychological thriller "Verity. " She acknowledges the challenges of adapting beloved books into movies but hopes her performance will inspire and divide opinions, much like Maggie Gyllenhaal's "The Lost Daughter. " Johnson is also teasing an upcoming project that she can't reveal details about yet. With her diverse range of roles and her growing involvement behind the camera, it's clear that Dakota Johnson is a force to be reckoned with in the film industry.

questions

    What role does Dakota Johnson believe films play in society, and why does she think it's important to continue making them?
    How does Dakota Johnson handle the challenge of adapting beloved books into films, and what examples does she cite?
    How would Dakota Johnson react if her directorial debut was mistaken for a reality TV show about toxic sets?

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