Scarlett Johansson Reveals Her “Ideal Job” with Disney

Disney4me · December 14, 2022

Scarlett Johansson has had a somewhat rocky relationship with Disney over the last couple of years, but it sounds like the actress isn’t holding any grudges.

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Johansson recently appeared on the podcast “Table for Two with Bruze Bozzi” and commented on her acting background, how she broke out of the “bombshell” stereotype, and what her dream job is for the future. Considering the controversy that ensued after Disney’s Black Widow release which led to Johansson’s lawsuit against Disney, that dream job might surprise you!

Scarlett Johansson starred in Marvel’s Black Widow, which was released in July 2021 both in theaters and on Disney+ (with premiere access). The dual theatrical-streaming release led Johansson to file a lawsuit against Disney, stating that “her agreement with Disney’s Marvel Entertainment guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release, and her salary was based in large part on the box-office performance of the film.”

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Black Widow

Disney reportedly responded with a statement that they complied with Ms. Johansson’s contract and that the release of Black Widow on Disney+ with Premier Access actually significantly enhanced her ability to earn additional compensation. Johansson and Disney reached a settlement in late September of that same year, although details about the settlement were not disclosed.

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When the settlement was reached, both Johansson and Disney commented. Johansson said, “I am happy to have resolved our differences with Disney…I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done together over the years and have greatly enjoyed my creative relationship with the team. I look forward to continuing our collaboration in years to come.” Disney Studios chairman Alan Bergman said, “I’m very pleased that we have been able to come to a mutual agreement with Scarlett Johansson regarding Black Widow.”

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Following the dispute, some questioned whether Johansson would still work with Disney on the upcoming Tower of Terror film that she was originally slated to both star in and produce. Bergman confirmed that Johansson would still be a part of that project when he said, “We appreciate [Johansson’s] contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and look forward to working together on a number of upcoming projects, including Disney’s Tower of Terror.”

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Tower of Terror

In a recent podcast episode on “Table for Two with Bruce Bozzi,” Johansson revealed a somewhat surprising career goal, given all the recent drama: “My ideal job is a corner office on the Disney lot. Like a little [bungalow]. That’s what I want.” It sounds like both Johansson and Disney have put the past behind them, and Johansson hopes to continue working on more Disney films. A “corner office” seems to imply more involvement in production and the creative aspects of the films rather than only acting in them, which corresponds with the actress’s role in Tower of Terror as a producer.

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Other parts of the conversation between Bozzi and Johansson revealed some of Johansson’s feelings about movie sets: “Every time I pass by a movie set in New York, I get a feeling of warmth mixed with panic, mixed with pity.”

Johansson also commented on her early career and how some labeled her as “an ingenue and a bombshell” (The Hollywood Reporter). She said that a bombshell in Hollywood is an actress that “burns bright and quick and then is done.” “I did Lost in Translation and Girl With the Pearl Earring and by that point, I was 18, 19 and I was coming into my own womanhood and learning my own desirability and sexuality.” She went on to say, “I was kind of being groomed, in a way, to be this what you call a bombshell-type actor. I was playing the other woman and the object of desire and I suddenly found myself cornered in this place. I couldn’t get out of it.”

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The actress stated that her role as Black Widow in Marvel’s Avengers franchise helped her to break out of that stereotype, although it took some time for the character to really be developed. She said, “I got this incredible opportunity to work in the second Iron Man, which that part at the time was very underdeveloped and over-sexualized, but I wanted to form a relationship with Jon Favreau who I worked with a couple of times after that, who’s an inspiration for me. And I also wanted to work with Kevin Feige, who’s the head of Marvel, who I knew had a vision for this big picture.”

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Johansson hopes to continue working with Disney. She said she “would like to direct” but also “love[s] producing.” Disney’s Tower of Terror movie (which Johansson is producing) doesn’t have a release date yet, but we’ll be watching for more updates! Stay tuned with DFB for all the latest Disney news.