Dakota Johnson Reveals Hollywood’s Risk Aversion: ‘It’s a Constant Fight’ and Surprising Moments from Her Movie Premieres

Dakota Johnson is making her debut at the Cannes Film Festival with her film “Splitsville.” Directed by Michael Angelo Covino, this dark comedy is part of the Cannes Premiere section. Johnson not only stars in the movie but also produced it through her company, TeaTime Pictures, which she co-founded with her friend Ro Donnelly.

In a recent talk at Cannes, Johnson shared her thoughts on why she started a production company. “I want more from this industry,” she said. She felt the need for deeper conversations and creativity. Often, she arrived at movie premieres surprised by the final product, realizing it wasn’t what she envisioned.

Through TeaTime Pictures, Johnson is committed to making sure every crew member understands the director’s vision. “Our set is all about good vibes,” she said. She emphasized a “no asshole” policy, ensuring everyone feels involved. Producing films can be tough, but when the team is connected, the work gets easier and more enjoyable.

Johnson was particularly drawn to “The Climb,” a comedy by Covino and Kyle Marvin, and wanted to support their vision in “Splitsville.” Donnelly said their goal at TeaTime is to champion original ideas from emerging filmmakers. One of their notable projects is “Cha Cha Real Smooth,” which introduced Johnson to actress Vanessa Burghardt. Johnson hopes to direct a film based on one of Burghardt’s scripts, focusing on a young woman with autism.

While joking about gaining confidence to direct, Johnson highlighted the challenges she and Donnelly have faced in being taken seriously in the industry. Johnson admitted, “It’s sad and frustrating.” She feels many studios shy away from risky, authentic stories, which she craves both as an actor and an audience member. “We work hard to tell the stories we love,” she said.

Statistics show that films with diverse voices and fresh perspectives have gained traction among audiences. According to a recent report by the Motion Picture Association, films with diverse casts saw significantly higher box office returns in recent years.

“Splitsville,” backed by Neon, is set to hit theaters later this year, marking a significant milestone in Johnson’s evolving career as a producer and storyteller.



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Cannes Film Festival,Dakota Johnson,Kering Women in Motion Talks