Dakota Johnson to direct Charli XCX and Jessica Alba in ‘A Tree Is Blue’

Charli XCX and Jessica Alba join Dakota Johnson’s new film ‘A Tree Is Blue’, marking her feature directorial debut

Dakota Johnson has officially begun work on her first feature film as a director, titled A Tree Is Blue. The actress, best known for her roles in Fifty Shades of Grey and Persuasion, will direct a cast that includes pop star Charli XCX and actress Jessica Alba.

The project is written by Vanessa Burghardt and marks Johnson’s transition into filmmaking after her short film Loser Baby premiered to positive reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival. The move signals a major step forward for Johnson, who has long expressed interest in working behind the camera through her production company, TeaTime Pictures.

A Tree Is Blue is being produced in collaboration with TeaTime Pictures and several independent backers, though plot details are still under wraps. The film is expected to begin production in Los Angeles in the coming months. While few story elements have been confirmed, early reports suggest the drama will explore themes of identity and connection, continuing Johnson’s interest in character-driven storytelling.

Charli XCX, who recently starred in the comedy Bottoms, continues to expand her creative portfolio with this role, marking another step in her growing presence in film. Jessica Alba’s involvement also marks a notable return to acting after focusing much of the past decade on her business ventures with The Honest Company. Her addition to the project adds an element of star power and experience to Johnson’s debut.

Neither Johnson nor the producers have commented publicly on the film’s release timeline or distribution plans. However, given the interest in her directing debut and the popularity of her cast, A Tree Is Blue is already gaining attention across the entertainment industry.

The combination of Johnson’s directing debut, Charli XCX’s crossover into acting and Alba’s on-screen return makes A Tree Is Blue one of the most intriguing upcoming independent films of 2025.