‘Verity’ director comments on Dakota Johnson’s leaked shots

Earlier this year, fans got an unexpected bloody first look at Verity after some leaked photos from set surfaced.

Director Michael Showalter shared his thoughts about the March snapshots of Josh Hartnett and a blood-splattered Dakota Johnson in New York City in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE magazine.

Notably, the images streamed a buzz on social media, with fans of the Colleen Hoover novel the film is based on weighing in. However, the 55-year-old marked it as a “perfect storm.”

Further adding, “But you know, people love Colleen Hoover and people love Dakota and people love blood,” he continued, “and so the combination of those three things, I think, were a perfect storm.”

Showalter stated, “I'm so excited for the movie,” in the set of leaked photos, Dakota portrays struggling writer Lowen, appeared to be filming a scene from the book involving a car accident with a cyclist. 

Josh Hartnett who is opposite to the 36-year-old as Jeremy Crawford, then seemingly arrived in the scene as the character pair crossed a street together.

It is to mention that Verity also stars Anne Hathaway as best-selling thriller author Verity Crawford.

Reportedly, the 43 year-old actress was also seen filming the adaptation in N.Y.C. with Harnett. In February, the co-actors were photographed running through the streets with holding hands.

Verity is expected to release in theaters on May 15, 2026.

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