Scarlett Johansson doesn’t accept every acting opportunity that comes her way. The Oscar-nominated actress, best known for playing Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, believes taking on projects without a clear audience can be “irresponsible,” and she wants to be part of projects that can offer something interesting.
Scarlett Johansson explains why she has questioned projects offered to her
Scarlett offered insight into her approach to selecting roles during her interview with the Los Angeles Times while promoting Paper Tiger. The 41-year-old actress, who last appeared in Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025), said, “Am I making something that other people want to see? Is there an audience for this movie?” “I’m not making a movie just for me,” she added.
Scarlett explained, “Sometimes I get studio projects that I have to say, ‘I don’t think you should make this. I don’t know who you’re making this for. It seems irresponsible to make this.'” Johansson admitted that she once viewed a box-office hit as a stepping stone to the next level. However, having already achieved so much in the industry, the actress is now rethinking what the next step looks like for her.
She didn’t name the projects she rejected but has previously revealed the studio roles she wanted. In an interview with Variety, Scarlett said, “I got turned down for two roles — the first was Iron Man 2 and then the other one was Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity.”
“I had wanted that role so much. It was sort of the straw that broke the camel’s back. I felt really frustrated and hopeless. Like, ‘Am I doing the right job?’ The work I was being offered felt deeply unfulfilling,” she added.
Johansson’s next project is Scapegoat, an A24 thriller helmed by Ari Aster. She will star alongside Jacob Elordi and Jude Law in the upcoming film.
