FKA Twigs is set to bring Josephine Baker back to the big screen in a new biopic, portraying the Jazz Age icon with her rare artistry and emotional depth. The Grammy-winning musician and dancer is increasingly recognized as an actress, following supporting roles in films like this year's 'Mother Mary' and last year's remake of 'The Crow.'
However, the as-yet-untitled Baker biopic will mark her first leading role as an actress, to be directed by the French filmmaker Maïmouna Doucouré, best known for her controversial 2020 film 'Cuties.'
"Josephine Baker's extraordinary legacy is such an inspiration to me and to so many people around the world," Twigs shared in a statement. "She lives on in our hearts as a visionary, groundbreaking woman whose story is as powerful as it is relevant today. I cannot wait to embody Josephine Baker, bringing her fight, her love, her losses, her talent, and her heroism to the big screen."
Doucouré added, "Working on this film, I realize how modern, fearless, and complex Josephine Baker was. Beyond the legend, I want to explore her contradictions, her wounds, and her immense courage, as well as her relentless fight for dignity. With the extraordinary FKA Twigs bringing her rare artistry, intelligence, and emotional depth to the role, it is a huge honor to work with STUDIOCANAL to bring Josephine's story to the screen for a global audience: the story of a woman who never stopped reinventing herself and fighting for justice and equality."
The film is a joint venture of the French production mega-hub StudioCanal and Bien ou Bien Productions, which produced 'Cuties' and Doucouré's 2022 follow-up 'Hawa.' StudioCanal announced it will launch worldwide sales at Cannes and release theatrically in its territories of the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Benelux, Poland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Two of Baker's 12 adult children — Jean-Claude Bouillon Baker and Brian Bouillon Baker — are attached to support the development of the film, which is scheduled to shoot this fall.
Josephine Baker's storied life was indeed made for the movies. Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis in 1906, Baker set about dedicating her life to defying stereotypes, breaking conventions, and setting records at every opportunity. She became one of the first Black women to ever appear in a film, with her turn in the 1927 silent film 'Siren of the Tropics.' She became a resistance fighter for her adopted homeland of France during WWII, leading to her being named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by revered general and future President Charles de Gaulle. Her dancing career made her an enduring sensation and took her around the world.
Twigs, born Tahliah Debrett Barnett, is also an adept dancer. She rose from the ranks of backup dancing in music videos by artists like Kylie Minogue and Ed Sheeran to release her own music, choreograph her own videos, and mastermind raved-about live experiences. She first appeared in the 2019 film 'Honey Boy,' starring her ex-partner Shia LaBeouf, and most recently appeared in 2026's 'Mother Mary.'
