In a recent interview with L'Officiel magazine, actress Dakota Johnson spoke candidly about her frustrations with the entertainment industry. Known for her roles in films like Fifty Shades of Grey, Johnson shared her views on the challenges she faces as a creative person in an industry she describes as 'bleak.'
Alongside producer Ro Donnelly, Johnson has been working on her production company, TeaTime Pictures, with a specific focus on telling intricate and nuanced stories with powerful female characters at the center. When asked if she felt compelled to produce such projects in order to get them made, Johnson didn't hold back in her response.
Expressing her disappointment, Johnson revealed, 'I am discovering that it's really fucking bleak in this industry. It is majorly disheartening. The people who run streaming platforms don't trust creative people or artists to know what's going to work, and that is just going to make us implode. It's really heartbreaking.'
Johnson went on to explain the difficulties she has faced in getting unique and forward-thinking stories made in Hollywood. She cited her recent film, Daddio, as an example where it took a significant amount of fighting to bring the project to fruition. 'People are just so afraid, and I'm like, 'Why? What's going to happen if you do something brave?' It just feels like nobody knows what to do, and everyone's afraid,' she expressed with frustration.
The actress believes that decision-makers in the industry play it safe, resulting in a lack of innovation and excitement. 'They want to do the safe thing, and the safe thing is really boring,' Johnson added.
Despite the challenges she faces, Johnson remains committed to her craft and continues to explore diverse roles. One such project is her upcoming film, Madame Web, set in Sony's Spider-Man universe. Johnson shared her excitement about the film, which centers around a paramedic in New York City who develops clairvoyant abilities and must protect three women from a mysterious adversary.
'I don't discriminate against movie genres when it comes to how I choose things or what I do,' Johnson commented. 'I heard that this was going to be made, and it was interesting to me that the main character's superpower is her mind, and that she is a woman. That is something that I can really get behind. That's very real to me, and it's really powerful and sexy.'
Johnson's words shed light on the frustrations faced by many creative individuals within the entertainment industry. Her commitment to telling authentic and bold stories, particularly those with strong female characters, is a testament to her drive and determination to make a difference. Despite the challenges, it is clear that Dakota Johnson remains resilient and committed to pushing boundaries and breaking through the industry's limitations.
