In a recent interview, Scarlett Johansson confessed that she once considered quitting acting after losing out on a coveted role to Sandra Bullock. Despite auditioning for major roles, Scarlett battled with feelings of inadequacy after being rejected. After initially missing out on the part of Black Widow, which was given to Emily Blunt, Scarlett’s confidence took another hit when she was not cast in the film Gravity, a role that went to Sandra Bullock. The actress revealed that this rejection made her feel hopeless and reconsider her future in the industry.
Truthful: Scarlett Johansson has revealed that she went through a tough phase and almost quit acting following the disappointment of not being cast in a coveted role that was eventually given to Sandra Bullock. (A picture of Scarlett from 2022 is included.)
Scarlett Johansson recently revealed that missing out on two movie roles had made her question her future in the film industry. She was rejected for roles in Iron Man 2 and Gravity, the latter being particularly disappointing as she had wanted it so badly. Scarlett felt frustrated and hopeless and began to doubt whether she was doing the right job. Even when she was offered roles, she often found them unfulfilling and wondered whether she was creatively stuck in a pigeonhole. However, her fortunes turned when Emily Blunt pulled out of Iron Man 2 due to contractual obligations with Fox, and Scarlett was re-offered the role. Although her part was not significant, it opened doors for other opportunities. Scarlett went on to receive critical acclaim for her role in A View from the Bridge on Broadway and appeared in Under The Skin and Her. She is currently filming for Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City alongside Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, and Maya Hawke.
In the movie, Sandra Bullock played the dream role that I had in mind. The actress, who is now 58 years old, co-starred with George Clooney, 62, in the 2013 science fiction film. Her performance was highly praised and earned her nominations for Best Actress at various award shows including the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs.
Openly sharing her feelings, she expressed her strong desire for the role, which ultimately led to a sense of despair and doubt in her chosen career path. It was a difficult moment for her, as if it was the last straw that broke the camel’s back.
Scarlett Johansson expressed her frustration with the unfulfilling roles offered to her, as she questioned whether it marked the end of her creative journey. The actress noted that she was repeatedly presented with scripts for Marilyn Monroe portrayals. On another occasion, she discussed her decision to refrain from using social media, citing her fragile ego and brain as reasons for avoiding apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Scarlett revealed that such platforms carry addictive tendencies that could overwhelm her.
Fortunes smiled upon Scarlett when Emily Blunt had to drop out of Iron Man 2 because of her contract with Fox. Thus, Scarlett was once again offered the role of Black Widow in the Marvel movie.
Opportunity: The movie didn’t have much impact on how my character was portrayed, but I saw it as an opportunity for what it could become – a chance for development in future films.
“I get engrossed in my phone like a toddler with their mother’s device. That’s why I’ve decided not to have it,” shared the Black Widow actress. Johansson, who recently became a mother to Cosmo with her partner, revealed that she had tried using Instagram through her company account for three days. During her brief usage, she found herself spending 20 minutes on someone’s profile, learning intricate details about their family and home. The experience left her frustrated that she had wasted 17 precious minutes and motivated her to “change” aspects of her life that felt negative.