Madonna is set to put on her director’s hat once again. MGM announced Tuesday that the pop star would direct Taking Flight, a biopic centered around Sierra Leonean ballerina Michaela DePrince. The film will be based on DePrince’s memoir that she co-wrote with her adoptive mother, Taking Flight: From War Oprah to Star Ballerina.
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“We were immediately awestruck by Michaela’s journey and know Madonna’s vision and passion for the material will deliver a film that inspires audiences everywhere,” said producer Leslie Morgenstein.
DePrince was orphaned as a child and grew up in a war-torn age of Sierra Leone. Regardless she continued her journey to become a professional ballerina. The 23-year-old would go on to earn her spot as a soloist with the Dutch National Ballet. In 2016, she became a mainstream sensation after her solo performance during the “Freedom” sequence of Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade.
Madonna confirmed the announcement with a post on her Instagram account. “Michaela’s journey resonated with me deeply as both an artist and an activist who understands adversity,” Madonna wrote. “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 honored to bring her story to life.”
The has been no announcement of the cast or release date of the forthcoming film.