FKA Twigs to Star as Josephine Baker in Movie Biopic Filming This Fall

FKA Twigs has officially signed on to portray the legendary Josephine Baker in an upcoming biographical film, with production slated to commence this autumn. The currently untitled project will be helmed by French director Maimouna Doucouré, who gained widespread attention for her provocative 2020 debut feature "Cuties." Studiocanal is providing financing and co-producing the film, with plans to present it to international buyers at the Cannes Film Festival—a critical marketplace for securing global distribution agreements. Variety had previously reported that the Grammy-nominated artist, known for her boundary-pushing music and striking visual aesthetics, was in preliminary discussions for the role; those negotiations have now resulted in a finalized contract.

In a prepared statement, FKA Twigs expressed her excitement about the collaboration, highlighting her admiration for Doucouré's creative approach. "I am deeply honored to work alongside the extraordinarily gifted Maïmouna Doucouré on this remarkable endeavor," she remarked. "Josephine Baker's unparalleled legacy continues to inspire me and countless individuals worldwide. She remains a visionary, a trailblazer whose narrative remains as potent and pertinent today as ever." Twigs, who recently featured in the A24 drama "Mother Mary," added, "I eagerly anticipate stepping into Josephine Baker's shoes, bringing her struggles, her passions, her sorrows, her artistry, and her bravery to life on screen." The biopic will chronicle Baker's path from her 1906 birth in St. Louis to her ascent as an international sensation following her relocation to Paris in 1925. Yet it will also delve into her less-publicized activities as a French Resistance spy during World War II and her prominent role in the American Civil Rights Movement throughout the 1950s and 1960s. According to film historian Dr. Sarah Jenkins, "Baker's existence exemplifies continuous transformation, and this production seems poised to encompass the full breadth of her multifaceted character." Baker's enduring influence is underscored by her 1975 passing in Paris, where she was subsequently interred at the Panthéon—making her the first Black woman in France to receive that distinction.

Doucouré, who will write, direct, and produce the film through her Bien Ou Bien Productions company in partnership with Studiocanal and CPB Films, disclosed her personal connection to the subject matter. "Josephine Baker has been a constant presence in my thoughts for years. As I develop this film, I am struck by how contemporary, daring, and intricate she truly was," she observed. "Beyond the myth, I aim to investigate her contradictions, her vulnerabilities, and her extraordinary bravery, along with her unwavering pursuit of dignity." The project has secured approval from Baker's sons, Jean-Claude Bouillon Baker and Brian Bouillon Baker, as well as the Rainbow Tribe—the collective name she gave to her twelve adopted children from various cultural backgrounds. Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh emphasized the importance of this partnership: "Josephine Baker's narrative is one we have long desired to bring to audiences, and doing so with the exceptional creative vision of Maïmouna Doucouré and the extraordinary talent of FKA twigs renders this endeavor especially significant. Their artistic abilities, combined with Josephine Baker's timeless influence, indicate a film that is both ambitious and deeply genuine." Doucouré's prior work on "Cuties," which ignited controversy regarding its portrayal of pre-adolescent girls, showcases her readiness to address challenging themes—a quality that may benefit her in depicting Baker's complex existence.

Studiocanal will manage theatrical releases in major territories including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Benelux nations, Poland, Australia, and New Zealand. The film is anticipated to attract considerable interest owing to the combined appeal of its subject and leading performers. FKA Twigs is represented by UTA, Untitled, UROK, and Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Kole, while Doucouré is represented by UBBA in France and CAA in the United States. As the project advances toward production, it serves as a tribute to Baker's lasting impact—a woman who once famously stated, "I have walked into the palaces of kings and queens and into the houses of presidents. But I could not walk into a hotel in America and get a cup of coffee." This biopic endeavors to ensure that such a powerful voice continues to resonate with future generations, capturing both the glamour and the hardship of a woman who refused to be constrained by the boundaries of her time. The film's timing also coincides with a growing trend of Hollywood productions focusing on historically significant Black figures, suggesting a broader cultural shift toward telling stories that have long been marginalized.