Madonna will direct a new film based on the life of ballerina Michaela DePrince. Taking Flight will be released by MGM Studios, with a screenplay from Camilla Blackett.
DePrince was born in Sierra Leone before being adopted in the US after her parents died during the country’s civil war. Along with her adopted mother, she wrote the memoir Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, which was published in 2014 before MGM bought the film rights in 2015.
“Michaela’s journey resonated with me deeply as both an artist and an activist who understands adversity,” said Madonna. “We have a unique opportunity to shed light on Sierra Leone and let Michaela be the voice for all the orphaned children she grew up beside. I am honoured to bring her story to life.”
Currently De Prince is a soloist at Dutch National Ballet. She studied at American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet and formerly danced for Dance Theatre of Harlem. She also appeared in the 2011 documentary First Position.
Aside from Madonna and Blackett , Leslie Morgenstein, Elysa Koplovitz Dutton, Ben Pugh and Guy Oseary have signed up as producers.
A release date for the film has yet to been announced.
