Scarlett Johansson is standing by comments she previously made in support of Woody Allen back in 2019, in which she said she would “work with him anytime.” The context of these most recent comments was in reflection on whether her support may have impacted her career and how she still believes it’s important to “have integrity” when it comes to standing up for what you believe in. In 1992, Allen’s then-wife Mia Farrow claimed he had sexually molested their adoptive daughter Dylan, with Dylan recounting these experiences multiple times in the 2010s during the #MeToo movement. Since then, multiple actors have expressed their regret over working with Allen, while some of his former collaborators proclaim his innocence. Allen has not been found guilty on any charges stemming from the alleged incident.
While speaking with The Telegraph in response to her previous remarks and whether they had a negative impact on her career, Johansson detailed:
“I guess it’s hard to know … You never know what the domino effect is, exactly. But my mom always encouraged me to be myself, [to see] that it’s important to have integrity, and stand up for what you believe in.”
She did also note that it’s important to know when to weigh in on such issues, explaining, “I think it’s also important to know when it’s not your turn. I don’t mean that you should silence yourself. I mean sometimes it’s just not your time. And that’s something I’ve understood more as I’ve matured.”
Johansson starred in Allen’s 2005 movie Match Point, in 2006’s Scoop, and in 2008’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Allen’s last major release, 2019’s A Rainy Day in New York, starred Timothée Chalamet, Selena Gomez, Jude Law, and Elle Fanning, with many members of the cast expressing their regret over working with the filmmaker in the wake of the allegations being repeated by Dylan Farrow and with many donating to causes such as RAINN and Time’s Up.
Johansson’s History of Speaking Out
In addition to previously expressing her support of Allen’s innocence, Johansson has spoken out about — and, in some cases, taken legal action against — issues in the industry.
Johansson debuted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008’s Iron Man 2 and subsequently starred in multiple entries in the franchise, helping take in billions of dollars for Marvel Studios. In 2021, Johansson sued The Walt Disney Company over the fact that Black Widow, which she produced as well as starred in, and its simultaneous release in theaters and on Disney+ impacted her contractual box-office bonus. The issue was resolved later that year and is reportedly still involved with a variety of Disney projects.
In 2024, OpenAI debuted a new virtual assistant dubbed “Sky,” which Johansson noted had a distinct similarity to her own voice. Complicating matters is that Johansson claimed OpenAI approached her to voice this character, an offer which she rejected, and that the actor previously starred in Wes Anderson’s Her, in which she voices an AI that Joaquin Phoenix’s character falls in love with. OpenAI paused the use of this character, though it denied any intentional similarities.
Johansson is currently attached to a Jurassic World Rebirth sequel a the next chapter in The Exorcist franchise.
- Birthname
-
Scarlett I. Johansson
- Birthdate
-
November 22, 1984
- Birthplace
-
New York City, New York, USA