Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Thursday, April 25, 2024 74° Today's Paper


Features

Madonna to direct film on dancer Michaela DePrince’s life

1/1
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Madonna attends the 11th Annual Billboard Women in Music honors in New York in 2016.

LOS ANGELES >> Madonna is pirouetting back into the director’s chair.

MGM Motion Picture Group president Jonathan Glickman said today that the pop music icon will direct a film based on ballet dancer Michaela DePrince’s memoir “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina.”

DePrince overcame a childhood in war-stricken Sierra Leone to become a world class ballerina. She made her debut at age 17 in South Africa’s Joburg Ballet and also appeared in Beyonce’s “Lemonade.”

Madonna has directed two previous features: The 2008 comedy “Filth and Wisdom” and the Wallis Simpson drama “W.E.” She is also working on a film adaptation of the novel “The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells.”

No cast or release date is set for “Taking Flight,” but “Fresh Off the Boat” writer Camilla Blackett will pen the screenplay.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.