FKA twigs will play Josephine Baker in Maïmouna Doucouré’s upcoming biopic, giving a major new film about the performer and civil rights activist its central figure.
The confirmation lands as Studiocanal launches sales on the project at the Cannes market, a move that signals the film has entered a more concrete phase ahead of production. Reports indicate the biopic is due to shoot in the fall, putting fresh momentum behind a project built around one of the most influential entertainers of the Jazz Age.
Josephine Baker remains a singular figure in popular culture and political history, and this casting puts intense focus on how the film will capture both her artistry and her activism.
Baker’s life offers filmmakers no shortage of material: she broke barriers as an international star and became a powerful voice in the fight for civil rights. That scope raises the stakes for Doucouré, whose involvement suggests the film aims to do more than revisit a famous image. It will need to connect Baker’s stage presence, public myth and political courage in a way that feels urgent for modern audiences.
Key Facts
- FKA twigs has been confirmed to play Josephine Baker.
- Maïmouna Doucouré is directing the biopic.
- Studiocanal is launching sales for the project at Cannes.
- Reports indicate production is scheduled to begin in the fall.
The casting also sharpens industry interest in the film’s commercial prospects. FKA twigs brings an existing screen presence and global profile, while Baker’s story carries built-in cultural weight far beyond the music world. Sources suggest that combination could help the project travel internationally as buyers assess its appeal during Cannes.
What comes next matters. As the film moves toward its fall shoot, attention will turn to the broader cast, the production scale and how Doucouré frames Baker’s legacy for a new generation. For now, the project has crossed a crucial threshold: it has a star, a director and market momentum behind a story that still commands global relevance.