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Irish Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Scarlett Johansson on her newest role: film-maker
Few movie stars today win over critics and convey Old Hollywood glamour as effortlessly as Scarlett Johansson does, all while seemingly impervious to the industry's convulsions. Now 40, she has been famous most of her life. She turned 10 the year her first movie, North, opened in 1994; four years later, she was upstaging Robert Redford in The Horse Whisperer. In the decades since, she starred in cult films and blockbusters, made a record with Pete Yorn and earned a couple of Oscar nominations. Between hits and misses, she also married three times (most recently to Colin Jost) and had two children. The kind of diverse professional portfolio that Johansson has cultivated can make life more interesting, of course, but it's also evidence of shrewd, career-sustaining choices. In 2010, she made her critically celebrated Broadway debut in a revival of Arthur Miller's tragedy A View From the Bridge. (She went on to win a Tony.) That same year, she slipped on a bodysuit to play lethal Russian superspy Black Widow in Marvel's Iron Man 2, a role that propelled her into global celebrity. On Tuesday, Johansson publicly took on another role when she presented her feature-directing debut, Eleanor the Great, at the Cannes Festival . Playing outside the main line-up, it is the kind of intimately scaled, performance-driven movie that's ideal for a novice director. READ MORE Scarlett Johansson with June Squibb at the Cannes Film Festival. Photograph: PascalJune Squibb stars as 94-year-old Eleanor, who, soon after the story opens, moves into her daughter's New York apartment. Life gets complicated when Eleanor inadvertently ends up in a support group for Holocaust survivors. It gets even trickier when a journalism student insists on writing about Eleanor. A friendship is born, salted with laughter and tears. I met with Johansson the day after the premiere of Eleanor the Great. She first walked the festival red carpet in 2005 for Match Point, returning last year with Asteroid City. (She's also in The Phoenician Scheme, which is here, too.) It had rained hard the day of her premiere, but the sky was blue when she stepped on to a hotel terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. Seated in a quiet corner shaded by a large umbrella, Johansson was friendly, pleasant and a touch reserved. Wearing the largest diamond that I've seen outside of a Tiffany window, she kept her sunglasses on as we talked, the consummate picture of movie stardom. Scarlett Johansson said she could identify with the story of Eleanor the Great. Photograph: Sam Hellmann/The New York Times Here are edited excerpts from our conversation. Q: Tell me about the genesis of the project. A: I have a production company called These Pictures, and we get all kinds of submissions. I wasn't looking for something to direct at that moment. I read it because I was fascinated to see what June Squibb was starring in because I love her, and I was so surprised by the story. It had a lot of elements of films that I love, independent films from the 90s and early aughts. It was New York-based, very character driven. And the plot device was so surprising. It made me cry. I immediately called my producing partner and was, like, I can direct this. I know how to make it. Q: Not everyone just thinks they can direct. A: When I was much younger, I thought I would end up doing that eventually. In my early 20s, I became focused on understanding my job as an actor better. I was creatively engaged with the directors I was working with, taking on different roles that were challenging, and I veered off that path. The timing was right when the script found me. It felt like an extension of the work that I've been doing as opposed to this big unknown. And June was ready to make the film. She had energy and was committed to doing it. Q: Did this story speak specifically to you because of your family experience? A: I could identify with the character's story, and, of course, I identify as Jewish. I had a very formidable grandmother who I was incredibly close with. She lives inside me and I think of her very often. She was, you know, a character and not unlike Eleanor. She could be kind of impossible. [ Laughs. ] [ Cannes 2025: Clapologists get it wrong, an acidic Israeli satire is too hot to handle, and Scarlett Johansson serves up schmaltz Opens in new window ] Q: How did it start to come together for you as a movie? A: I look at New York in a cinematic way. I've spent so much time strolling around as one does and just spending time observing. I'm a people watcher; it's one of my great pleasures. And when I read a script, I can see it as a film in my mind. I already had ideas, so it was more about having a dialogue with the cinematographer where we could have a conversation and get to the same conclusion. I knew I wanted beautiful portraits of June, to show her in this very pure way. The actors were so committed and had such dramatic stamina. I just needed to photograph them in a way that was uncomplicated. Q: When you were younger, at one point did you realise, 'Oh, women make movies too'? A: It was fortunately a given because I worked with so many female directors when I was a kid. So, I guess I just never really thought about it as this gendered thing. Maybe I'm spoiled in a way or I take it for granted because I did work with so many female directors and continue to. Actually, the other day, I was reading an interview with Natalie Portman, and she grew up in film working with female directors. It was kind of the same thing for her. Maybe we both got lucky that when we started working, there was more opportunity for female directors. It's kind of balanced out in that way. Um, I don't know if it's totally balanced. [ Laughs. ] Scarlett Johansson with husband Colin Jost at the Cannes Film Festival. Photograph: Doug Peters/PA Wire Q: Do you want to keep directing? A: I do. It felt very fulfilling. We had such an amazing shooting experience. The feeling on set was so familial and creative and positive. It was really, really joyful. You don't always have a joyful experience on every movie that you make, but as I've gotten older, I have a lesser tolerance for the unpleasant experience. [ Laughs. ] Q: Your mom was your manager. Did you talk about the kinds of things that you wanted to do? A: She became my manager out of necessity, and, I think, at first, it was on a protective level. As I grew up and became more of a person, I had my own desire and ideas. I was fortunate that my mom was very supportive of my artistic desire, integrity, all of that. She loves film-makers and actors and performance, and she respected me as an actor. Scarlett Johansson at the screening of Eleanor the Great the the Cannes Film Festival. Photograph: Mohammed Badra/European Pressphoto Agency Q: Did your mother talk to you about how to avoid being exploited? A: My mom and I are very close. Because I was born and raised in New York, I already had a sense of my own street smarts, in a way, and I don't think she was so worried that I was going to be taken advantage of by people in the industry. Q: I read a profile of you from 10 years ago by a female journalist in which she describes you as a sexy child – A: Ew! Q: I know! It made me think about how media representations can be complicit in that exploitation. A: That's hard to control because you're giving an interview and sitting with somebody for an hour or two, and whatever the takeaway is, it's out of your control. I did an interview with Barbara Walters and she asked me what the sexiest part of my body was or my favourite part or something like that. You can see that I was mortified, but still feel obligated to answer it. Q: As an industry veteran, do you feel optimistic about American movies? A: I think it'll balance itself out, and some of the players will change. It's just going to take a lot of time. The strike was really damaging, I think, more damaging than Covid; that has proved very, very challenging. There'll be a lot of big movies this summer, and I think even smaller movies like this film, when you see it in the theatre, it's amazing because everybody's crying and together. When you can see something moving with an audience, you're kind of buzzing afterward. I think it's about offering variety and studios that are committed to the theatrical experience. I think that we can climb our way back up – I think so. This article originally appeared in The New York Times . 2025 The New York Times Company
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Scarlett Johansson stuns in a black dress as she cosies up to husband Colin Jost while celebrating Eleanor The Great aboard a yacht in Cannes
Scarlett Johansson turned heads as she cosied up to her husband Colin Jost while celebrating Eleanor The Great aboard the RH Three yacht in Cannes on Wednesday. The actress, 40, looked stunning in a black midi slip dress, layered effortlessly under a sleek black blazer. She styled her golden locks in a chic updo and completed her look with a radiant makeup palette. Meanwhile, Colin, 42, looked dapper in a navy suit paired with a crisp white polo shirt. The loved-up couple looked happier than ever as they posed for a sweet snap at the back of the luxurious yacht. They were joined by Scarlett's co-stars and filmmakers including Pierre Cailliarec, Kara Durrett, Jonathan Lia, June Squibb, Keenan Flynn, Andrew Calof, Harry Jierjian, and Erin Kellyman. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Theresa Flynn, Tyler Lewis, and Marcel Pariseau were also in attendance at the glamorous soirée. The group appeared in high spirits as they enjoyed dinner aboard the yacht and celebrated the film into the night. Just hours earlier, Scarlett looked as radiant as ever as she posed for portraits to promote her new film at the Cannes Film Festival. The actress glowed in a grey Prada V-neck sweater paired with a satin skirt, flashing a bright smile as she posed on a balcony overlooking the ocean. Keeping accessories to a minimum, Scarlett completed her chic look with a glowing makeup palette that enhanced her natural beauty. Scarlett has had a packed schedule during the festival in the French Riviera, promoting her new film, which had its world premiere on May 20, 2025. She made her directorial debut with the film which received a five-minute standing ovation and prompted 'tears and cheers' from the crowds. Eleanor The Great sees June's character, who converted to Judaism upon marriage, join a Jewish seniors social group, before discovering it is specifically for Holocaust survivors. Hoping to find companionship, Eleanor tells her friend Bessie's devastating story about her family's time in Auschwitz as if it is her own, before her lie spirals away from her in a very public way. Scarlett described her directorial debut premiering at the film festival as a 'dream come true' and 'surreal' as she emotionally soaked up the positive reaction. However, critics were less convinced as it received very mixed reviews, with some branding it 'wobbly' and 'unconvincing' while others were more impressed by the 'powerful' and 'touching' release. The Hollywood Reporter led the charge in branding Scarlett's debut as 'wobbly' and 'unfulfilled' as its critic concluded that the film 'struggled to find its groove' despite a hopeful character-driven plot. 'The film lurches between comic set pieces and more dramatic beats, and while Johansson proves a competent helmer, it's not enough to overcome some dizzying tonal imbalances,' they wrote. The Playlist was also left divided as it questioned whether viewers 'expected more' from Scarlett following her decades-long career as it described the plot as 'episodic'. 'Considering the lineage of filmmakers Johansson has worked with over her 25-year career, we dared to expect something more?' they asked, before praising June for being the film's saving grace. Variety described the release as an 'unconvincing crowd-pleaser' and, though they praised June's performance, it ultimately received a mixed verdict. 'The movie is an awards-season wannabe in every sense,' critic Owen Gleiberman noted, adding that the movie is always 'trying to squeeze a laugh out of you'. But it wasn't all bad news as the movie also received considerably more positive reviews from a range of other outlets, who praised its 'power' and raw emotion. Deadline gushed over Scarlett's 'wonderful and richly textured' debut and described Eleanor's story as 'beautifully realized' as they were overcome with emotion. 'There won't be a dry eye in the house for this one,' Pete Hammond wrote. The Times were won over by Scarlett's debut and critic Ed Potton insisted it hit 'the jackpot combination of being tear-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny'. This year's Cannes Film Festival is taking place in the wake of Trump´s vow to enact tariffs on international films. Cannes, where filmmakers, sales agents and journalists gather from around the world, is the Olympics of the big screen, with its own golden prize, the Palme d'Or, to give out at the end. Filmmakers come from nearly every corner of the globe to showcase their films while dealmakers work through the night to sell finished films or packaged productions to various territories. But Trump sent shock waves through Hollywood and the international film community when he announced on May 4 that all movies 'produced in Foreign Lands' will face 100 per cent tariffs. The White House has said no final decisions have been made. Options being explored include federal incentives for US-based productions, rather than tariffs. This year, some of the first-time filmmakers at Cannes are already particularly well-known. Kristen Stewart (The Chronology of Water), Scarlett (Eleanor the Great) and Harris Dickinson (Urchin) have all unveiled their feature directorial debuts in Cannes' Un Certain Regard sidebar section. Many Cannes veterans have returned, including Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning), Robert De Niro - who received an honorary Palme d´Or 49 years after Taxi Driver premiered in Cannes - and Quentin Tarantino, who paid tribute to low-budget Western director George Sherman. Variety 'There's no denying that as a character, Eleanor plays, giving Squibb an opportunity to strut her granny-with-an-attitude stuff. But you're always aware that the movie is trying to squeeze a laugh out of you.' The Hollywood Reporter 'The film lurches between comic set pieces and more dramatic beats, and while Johansson proves a competent helmer, it's not enough to overcome some dizzying tonal imbalances.' The Playlist 'Considering the lineage of filmmakers Johansson has worked with over her 25-year career, we dared to expect something more?' The Times: Four stars 'Johansson and her excellent cast nail the big moments and revel in the small ones.' Deadline 'Scarlett Johansson's wonderful and richly textured feature directorial debut is a small but beautifully realized story of a 94-year-old woman.'
Khaleej Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Scarlett Johansson on directing debut, old Hollywood glamour, and ‘Eleanor the Great'
Few movie stars today win over critics and convey Old Hollywood glamour as effortlessly as Scarlett Johansson does, all while seemingly impervious to the industry's convulsions. Now 40, she has been famous most of her life. She turned 10 the year her first movie, 'North,' opened in 1994; four years later, she was upstaging Robert Redford in 'The Horse Whisperer.' In the decades since, she starred in cult films and blockbusters, made a record with Pete Yorn and earned a couple of Oscar nominations. Between hits and misses, she also married three times (most recently to Colin Jost) and had two children. The kind of diverse professional portfolio that Johansson has cultivated can make life more interesting, of course, but it's also evidence of shrewd, career-sustaining choices. In 2010, she made her critically celebrated Broadway debut in a revival of Arthur Miller's tragedy 'A View From the Bridge.' (She went on to win a Tony.) That same year, she slipped on a bodysuit to play lethal Russian superspy Black Widow in Marvel's 'Iron Man 2,' a role that propelled her into global celebrity. On Tuesday, Johansson publicly took on another role when she presented her feature directing debut, 'Eleanor the Great,' at the Cannes Film Festival. Playing outside the main lineup, it is the kind of intimately scaled, performance-driven movie that's ideal for a novice director. June Squibb stars as 94-year-old Eleanor, who, soon after the story opens, moves into her daughter's New York apartment. Life gets complicated when Eleanor inadvertently ends up in a support group for Holocaust survivors. It gets even trickier when a journalism student insists on writing about Eleanor. A friendship is born, salted with laughter and tears. I met with Johansson the day after the premiere of 'Eleanor the Great.' She first walked the festival red carpet in 2005 for 'Match Point,' returning last year with 'Asteroid City.' (She's also in 'The Phoenician Scheme,' which is here, too.) It had rained hard the day of her premiere, but the sky was blue when she stepped onto a hotel terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. Seated in a quiet corner shaded by a large umbrella, Johansson was friendly, pleasant and a touch reserved. Wearing the largest diamond that I've seen outside of a Tiffany window, she kept her sunglasses on as we talked, the consummate picture of movie stardom. Here are edited excerpts from our conversation. Tell me about the genesis of the project. I have a production company called These Pictures, and we get all kinds of submissions. I wasn't looking for something to direct at that moment. I read it because I was fascinated to see what June Squibb was starring in because I love her, and I was so surprised by the story. It had a lot of elements of films that I love, independent films from the '90s and early aughts. It was New York-based, very character driven. And the plot device was so surprising. It made me cry. I immediately called my producing partner and was, like, I can direct this. I know how to make it. Not everyone just thinks they can direct... When I was much younger, I thought I would end up doing that eventually. In my early 20s, I became focused on understanding my job as an actor better. I was creatively engaged with the directors I was working with, taking on different roles that were challenging, and I veered off that path. The timing was right when the script found me. It felt like an extension of the work that I've been doing as opposed to this big unknown. And June was ready to make the film. She had energy and was committed to doing it. Did this story speak specifically to you because of your family experience? I could identify with the character's story, and, of course, I identify as Jewish. I had a very formidable grandmother who I was incredibly close with. She lives inside me and I think of her very often. She was, you know, a character and not unlike Eleanor. She could be kind of impossible. [ Laughs. ] How did it start to come together for you as a movie? I look at New York in a cinematic way. I've spent so much time strolling around as one does and just spending time observing. I'm a people watcher; it's one of my great pleasures. And when I read a script, I can see it as a film in my mind. I already had ideas, so it was more about having a dialogue with the cinematographer where we could have a conversation and get to the same conclusion. I knew I wanted beautiful portraits of June, to show her in this very pure way. The actors were so committed and had such dramatic stamina. I just needed to photograph them in a way that was uncomplicated. When you were younger, at one point did you realise, 'Oh, women make movies too'? It was fortunately a given because I worked with so many female directors when I was a kid. So, I guess I just never really thought about it as this gendered thing. Maybe I'm spoiled in a way or I take it for granted because I did work with so many female directors and continue to. Actually, the other day, I was reading an interview with Natalie Portman, and she grew up in film working with female directors. It was kind of the same thing for her. Maybe we both got lucky that when we started working, there was more opportunity for female directors. It's kind of balanced out in that way. Um, I don't know if it's totally balanced. [ Laughs. ] Do you want to keep directing? I do. It felt very fulfilling. We had such an amazing shooting experience. The feeling on set was so familial and creative and positive. It was really, really joyful. You don't always have a joyful experience on every movie that you make, but as I've gotten older, I have a lesser tolerance for the unpleasant experience. [ Laughs. ] As an industry veteran, do you feel optimistic about American movies? I think it'll balance itself out, and some of the players will change. It's just going to take a lot of time. The strike was really damaging, I think, more damaging than Covid; that has proved very, very challenging. There'll be a lot of big movies this summer, and I think even smaller movies like this film, when you see it in the theatre, it's amazing because everybody's crying and together. When you can see something moving with an audience, you're kind of buzzing afterward. I think it's about offering variety and studios that are committed to the theatrical experience. I think that we can climb our way back up — I think so.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fans shocked by Colin Jost's reaction to wife Scarlett Johansson's standing ovation at Cannes
Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson 's sweet interaction during her standing ovation at Cannes Film Festival has left fans swooning. Black Widow actress Scarlett, 40, received a five-minute standing ovation and prompted 'tears and cheers' from the crowds after her film, Eleanor the Great, premiered at the festival on Tuesday night. Before she took to the stage to address the audience though, she shared a tender moment with her other half, Colin, 42. In scenes shared on social media, an elated Scarlett looked happily into the eyes of her husband. Seconds later, Colin - who was beaming with pride - leaned into his wife and gave her a loving kiss. Their sweet interaction came just days after the couple shared an onscreen smooch as they closed out Saturday Night Live 's 50th season finale last Saturday. Gushing over their interaction on social media, one observed that the pair have 'genuine happiness and laughter.' 'Love them,' they added. The Saturday Night Live comedian looked lovingly into his wife's eyes during a tender moment Another said: 'They are so good for each other. I love to see couples who support each other like these two. It's awesome!' 'I love them,' a third added.' I hope they stay married.' 'Such a lovely couple!' wrote a fourth. Colin and Scarlett married in 2020, having got engaged two years into their relationship. Scarlett shares her little girl with ex-husband Romain Dauriac, to whom she was married from 2014 to 2017. Hollywood star Scarlett made her directorial debut with her film Eleanor the Great, which stars June Squibb. The movie follows June's character, who converted to Judaism upon marriage, join a Jewish seniors' social group, before discovering it is specifically for Holocaust survivors. Hoping to find companionship, Eleanor tells her friend Bessie's (Rita Zohar) devastating story about her family's time in Auschwitz as if it is her own, before her lie spirals away from her in a very public way. Scarlett described her directorial debut premiering at the film festival as a 'dream come true' and 'surreal' as she emotionally soaked up the positive reaction. However, critics were less convinced as it received very mixed reviews, with some branding it 'wobbly' and 'unconvincing' while others were more impressed by the 'powerful' and 'touching' release. The Hollywood Reporter concluded that the film 'struggled to find its groove' despite a hopeful character-driven plot. 'The film lurches between comic set pieces and more dramatic beats, and while Johansson proves a competent helmer, it's not enough to overcome some dizzying tonal imbalances,' they wrote.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Scarlett Johansson Got Her ‘Weekend Update' Revenge and a Standing Ovation at Cannes, All in the Same Week
We've reached the end of another week. But before we clock out for the weekend, we're giving credit where it's due. Scarlett Johansson is the latest champion in our Winner of the Week series. Is it ScarJo 2.0? 3.0? 100.0? Scarlett Johansson has been through so many career transformations, from teen queen to indie darling to blockbuster powerhouse to sex symbol and everything in between, it's hard to keep track of which version we're on. Heck, I still remember picking up her Tom Waits cover album at a coffee shop. But this week definitely marked a turning point for the actor, who has officially leveled up. She's behind the camera and in control of the narrative, going from the Saturday Night Live Weekend Update desk to the Cannes red carpet in what felt like the blink of a smoky eye. Jurassic World Rebirth may not come out until July, but her rebirth is happening right here, right now, which is why she's our winner of the week. Ego Nwodim Is Just Getting Started As she wraps another electric season of *Saturday Night Live,* Ego Nwodim opens up about her iconic characters, hosting the Met Gala, and her big plans for what's next. As of Saturday, Johansson has now hosted Saturday Night Live more times than any other female celebrity, a task no doubt made more convenient by the fact that she's married to Weekend Update coanchor and SNL head writer Colin Jost. Around Christmastime, Jost and his coanchor, Michael Che, did their traditional joke swap, which naturally involved a rather graphic remark about Johansson's vagina. Hosting the season 50 finale, Johansson got Che back, appearing at the Update desk to supervise him performing jokes about his own sexual perversions. Then there was the Cannes of it all. In a recent Vanity Fair profile, Johansson revealed that she's had directorial aspirations since she was 12 year old. Her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, just premiered to a five-minute standing ovation and is set to hit theaters in the fall. And of course, she had a style moment on the red carpet, doing a modern take on the princess look in a gauzy periwinkle gown, red lips, and sparkly earrings. She's actually got two flicks at the festival this year, with a small role in Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme. It wasn't long ago that Johansson was going the legal route to (rightfully) take back her power, suing Disney over the way they released Black Widow and taking on OpenAI for (allegedly) using her voice without her consent. The fact that she's now popping up on SNL and directing movies seems like a leap forward. No longer reactive, she's creatively empowered and telling her own stories on her own terms. Originally Appeared on Glamour
