In an exciting career shift, acclaimed actress and dancer Sonoya Mizuno is stepping behind the camera to make her directorial debut. The multi-talented artist, celebrated for her roles in global hits like 'Crazy Rich Asians' and the fantasy series 'House of the Dragon', will helm a new project titled 'Stages'.
From Ballet Stages to the Director's Chair
Mizuno's artistic foundation is deeply rooted in classical dance. She is a trained ballerina who honed her skills at the prestigious Royal Ballet School in London. Her professional dance career saw her perform with renowned companies, including the English National Ballet, the Dresden Semper Oper Ballet, and the Scottish Ballet. This disciplined background in performance and storytelling is now set to inform her vision as a filmmaker.
A Prolific On-Screen Career
Sonoya Mizuno transitioned from dance to screen acting with her debut in Alex Garland's acclaimed sci-fi film 'Ex Machina'. She quickly became a familiar face in major productions, showcasing her range in 'La La Land' and 'Shortcomings'. On television, she captivated audiences in the lead role of FX's 'Devs', another Garland creation, and appeared in the Netflix series 'Maniac'. Her long-standing creative partnership with writer-director Alex Garland is a key element of her new venture.
The 'Stages' Production Team
The upcoming film 'Stages' will be produced by a powerhouse team. It includes Peter Rice and the producers from Agile Films, Myles Payne and Sam Ritzenberg. Significantly, Alex Garland is also on board as a producer, continuing his fruitful collaboration with Mizuno. While specific plot details for 'Stages' are currently under wraps, the calibre of the production team signals a significant project.
Reflecting on her collaborative dynamic with Garland during their work on 'Devs' in 2020, Mizuno praised his open directorial style. She told Deadline, "He's always open to people giving their ideas, he takes them on, and it feels like a very equal place." She highlighted the unique creative triangle formed with director of photography Rob Hardy, stating, "By this point, we'd developed this working relationship, which had always felt collaborative and also unique to the three of us." This experience of collaborative filmmaking undoubtedly paves the way for her own directorial approach.
Sonoya Mizuno's move from interpreting characters to crafting entire narratives marks a natural evolution for the artist. With her unique blend of ballet discipline, acting experience, and support from established filmmakers like Garland, 'Stages' is poised to be one of the most intriguing directorial debuts to watch.
