Dakota Johnson to Direct 'A Tree Is Blue'

Dakota Johnson will make her feature directorial debut with A Tree Is Blue, an original drama written by Vanessa Burghardt about a young autistic woman seeking independence the summer after high school. Burghardt, who is on the autism spectrum, is in talks to star; Charli XCX and Jessica Alba are negotiating roles but no deals are finalized. Principal photography is slated to begin in Los Angeles in November, with Rivulet Entertainment fully financing the film on a budget under $10 million and CAA Media Finance handling sales. The project has qualified for $2.4 million in California tax credits. Johnson will produce for her TeaTime Pictures banner alongside Ro Donnelly and Sam Racanelli, with Rob Paris and Mike Witherill producing for Rivulet and Hyunji Ward and Rick Steele executive-producing; Johnson previously directed the short Loser Baby, which premiered at TIFF.