Copyright The Hollywood Reporter
Dakota Johnson‘s feature directorial debut is taking root. Charli XCX and Jessica Alba are in talks to star in A Tree Is Blue, which Johnson is set to helm. The film has a script from Vanessa Burghardt, who is also in talks to star. Plot details have not yet been disclosed for the project that is planning to launch production next month in Los Angeles. CAA Media Finance is handling sales. Rivulet Entertainment is fully financing the project. Producers include Johnson, Ro Donnelly and Sam Racanelli for TeaTime Pictures, in addition to Rob Paris and Mike Witherill for 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 is a first-time screenwriter who 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 is a Grammy-winning musician who has been recently racking up more onscreen feature credits. She is producing and starring in the A24 movie The Moment and has landed roles in such films 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.
