Scarlett Johansson is keeping her options open when it comes to choosing between acting and directing.
At 40, with decades of acting experience and numerous box office hits under her belt, the Hollywood star just made her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, a drama featuring June Squibb and Chiwetel Ejiofor. But even with that major milestone, Scarlett admits she’s still figuring out what direction she wants her career to take.
When asked by Collider if this new project marks a fresh chapter, Scarlett replied, “I don’t know. I’m not sure. I guess we’ll see.” She explained that she gravitates toward projects she’d genuinely want to watch herself-whether it’s a big blockbuster like Jurassic World or a smaller, more personal story like Eleanor the Great. Commercial appeal still matters to her, she says. “Would audiences want to see this too? Is this generally interesting? Those are things I look for and focus on and care about.”
Even with this new role behind the camera, Scarlett made it clear that she’s not stepping away from acting any time soon. “I’m certainly still an actor for hire-I want that to be widely printed,” she stated.
She’s proud of Eleanor the Great and isn’t letting criticism get to her. “I’m as used to that as you can be, I guess. You get held to different standards, which is okay. I can shoulder that.” What matters most to her now is whether the film connects with people emotionally. “If you can be in the theatre and I make you cry, that’s the most gratifying thing beyond whatever else comes out of it.”
Looking back, Scarlett pointed to Lost in Translation as a major turning point in her career. Despite its critical acclaim, it led to her being typecast. “After Lost in Translation, every role that I was offered for years was ‘the girlfriend,’ ‘the other woman,’ a sex object-I couldn’t get out of the cycle,” she told Vanity Fair. “It sort of felt like, ‘Oh, I guess this is my identity now as an actor.’”
Scarlett reflected on how uncomfortable she felt about being portrayed that way, hinting at how her image was shaped by others in the industry. “You come into your sexuality and your desirability as part of your growth, and it’s exciting to blossom into yourself,” she said. “Then you suddenly turn around and you’re like, ‘Wait, I feel like I’m being’-I don’t want to say exploited because it’s such a severe word. That term is so heavy, but yeah, it was a kind of an exploitation.”
Whether she sticks with acting, leans more into directing, or continues balancing both, Scarlett Johansson is clearly carving out her path on her own terms-and not letting anyone else define it.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
