Scarlett Johansson expressed feeling hopeless after being rejected for the lead role in the 2013 space drama, "Gravity," directed by Alfonso Cuarón. The actress, known for her performance in "Lost in Translation," discussed the impact of the loss on her career trajectory in a recent interview with Variety. Johansson revealed that she had been considered for the role alongside Marion Cotillard, Natalie Portman, and Blake Lively before Sandra Bullock was ultimately cast. The rejection for the part was particularly devastating for Johansson, who had also been turned down for a role in "Iron Man 2." She admitted that the experience left her questioning her career choices, saying, "It was sort of the straw that broke the camel's back. Like, 'Am I doing the right job?'"
Johansson recounted feeling unsatisfied with the roles she was being offered, particularly those portraying Marilyn Monroe. She expressed concern that this was a creative dead-end for her career, saying, "Is this the end of the road creatively?" The actress found it difficult to break free from being typecast as a sexy, alluring character onscreen. She took on roles in films like "He's Just Not That Into You," which perpetuated this image and made it challenging for her to make progress in her career.
However, fate intervened when Emily Blunt was unable to fulfill her obligations for the role in "Iron Man 2" due to another project. Johansson was offered the part and played Black Widow, marking the beginning of her successful run in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Robert Downey Jr., Johansson's co-star in "Iron Man 2," had also been in talks for a role in "Gravity," which ultimately went to George Clooney.
Johansson acknowledged that her appearance in "Iron Man 2" did not significantly move her character's storyline forward. However, she recognized the potential for growth in subsequent films and believed it was a step in the right direction for her career.
Starring in nine Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films, including the standalone "Black Widow" spinoff, Johansson found herself in a dispute with Disney in 2021 when they shifted the release of "Black Widow" to a day-and-date streaming model on Disney+. This meant she would lose out on back-end theatrical earnings, leading her to file a lawsuit against the company. Eventually, the case was settled, and Johansson reportedly received a settlement of over $40 million.
Reflecting on her career, Johansson credited indie films like "Under the Skin" and "Her" for reigniting her passion for the work and alleviating her anxiety. She said, "Suddenly it was like, 'I still love this job.' And it reignited my passion for the work. I felt less anxious."
Looking ahead, Johansson has several projects in the works, including Wes Anderson's "Asteroid City," Kristin Scott Thomas' "My Mother's Wedding," and Sebastián Lelio's "Bride." Additionally, there are rumors of her involvement in Greg Berlanti's "Project Artemis."
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