Grammy-nominated artist FKA Twigs is in talks to star as the groundbreaking performer and civil rights icon Josephine Baker in a new biopic directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Cuties.
The project is backed by Studiocanal, which is financing and co-producing the film alongside Bien ou Bien Prods and CPB Films. It’s also been given the stamp of approval by Baker’s sons, Jean-Claude Bouillon Baker and Brian Bouillon Baker, as well as her adopted children — the Rainbow Tribe.
Baker, a true trailblazer, was the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture with 1927’s Siren of the Tropics. Beyond her vibrant cabaret performances, which often drew from African dance traditions, she was also a wartime spy and a tireless fighter for civil rights back home in the U.S.
This film marks another major milestone for Doucouré, who is one of France’s few Black female filmmakers working on feature films. Born in Paris to Senegalese parents, Doucouré rose to prominence with the short film Maman(s) and stirred conversation with her directorial debut Cuties. The latter, while controversial, earned her a best director award at Sundance and the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women.
FKA Twigs’ casting news comes after her roles in The Carpenter’s Son opposite Nicolas Cage and a standout performance in the remake of The Crow. Known for her ethereal music and captivating visuals, she seems a fitting choice to embody Baker’s complex legacy of grace, resistance, and reinvention.
Doucouré previously shared her excitement about this project, saying: “Josephine Baker is such an inspiration for me and so many people around the world. It’s a huge honor and also a beautiful challenge… I can’t wait to breathe new life into this incredible legend on screen.”
This biopic isn’t the only Josephine Baker project in the works. It’s worth noting that both Ruth Negga and Janelle Monáe were previously attached to separate adaptations. But with FKA Twigs and Doucouré leading the charge, this film promises a fresh, deeply personal take on Baker’s iconic journey.