Dakota Johnson Set to Star in ‘Persuasion’ Movie at Netflix

Dakota Johnson is all set to star in the Netflix film “Persuasion.” Ron Bass and Alice Victoria Winslow are writing the screenplay based on the novel by Jane Austen.

Acclaimed Director Carrie Cracknell, who directed Jake Gyllenhall and Tom Sturridge to Tony nominations last year in Sea Wall/ A Life on Broadway, will make her feature directing debut.

Adapted from the Jane Austen novel, the film is about Anne Elliot who is an unconformity woman with modern sensibilities living with her snobby family on the brink of bankruptcy. When Frederick Wentworth—the dashing one she once sent away—crashes back into her life, Anne must choose between putting the past behind her or listening to her heart when it comes to second chances.

The film takes a modern, witty approach to a beloved story while still remaining true to Jane Austen's classic novel. Netflix and MRC Film are partnering to produce this film.

Andrew Lazar and Christina Weiss Lurie are producing the film with Elizabeth Cantillon via her untitled MRC Film Romance label, Michael Constable, and David Fliegel as executive producers.

Dakota Johnson recently starred in the drama Our Friend, and will next be seen in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter and Stephanie Allynne and Tig Notaro’s Am I Ok?.

Cantillon’s romance focused MRC Film label is also in development on features including the adaptation of 28 Summers, based on the bestselling novel from Elin Hilderbrand from writer Allie Hagan; Photos of You, based on Tammy Robinson’s novel from writer Tom Dean; and Rebecca Raisin’s Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop from writer Monisha Dadlani. 

MRC Film recently announced The Mothership starring Halle Berry, also with Netflix; and most recently released the global box-office hit and Oscar-nominated film Knives Out from writer/director Rian Johnson and The Lovebirds starring Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae with Netflix.