Dakota Johnson's directorial debut is blossoming into a captivating project. Charli xcx and Jessica Alba are in negotiations to star in A Tree Is Blue, which Johnson is poised to helm with a script by Vanessa Burghardt, who is also in talks to join the cast. The plot details of this upcoming production, set to commence in Los Angeles next month, remain under wraps, with CAA Media Finance handling sales and Rivulet Entertainment fully financing the project.
The film's producers include Johnson, Ro Donnelly, and Sam Racanelli from TeaTime Pictures, alongside Rob Paris and Mike Witherill from Rivulet. Hyunji Ward executive produces for TeaTime, alongside Rick Steele. Johnson previously directed the short film Loser Baby, which premiered at last year's Toronto International Film Festival. Her recent feature credits as an actress include Neon's Splitsville, which she also produced, and A24's The Materialists.
Burghardt, a first-time screenwriter, co-starred with Johnson in Cha Cha Real Smooth. Alba recently produced and starred in Netflix's Trigger Warning and is set to appear alongside Anthony Hopkins, Andy Garcia, and Al Pacino in the biographical sports film Maserati: The Brothers.
Charli xcx, a Grammy-winning musician, is making waves with her onscreen feature credits. She is producing and starring in the A24 movie The Moment and has landed roles in films such as Faces of Death, I Want Your Sex, and The Gallerist.
Johnson is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, and Johnson Shapiro. Burghardt is repped by Arise Artists Agency and Bloch Law. Charli xcx is repped by CAA and Good World Management. Alba is repped by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Sloane Offer.
