← Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist
Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist
MARVEL STARS: Scarlett Johansson on 'Asteroid City' and Building The Outset
00:46:31
Known for her roles in Marvel’s "The Avengers," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," and "Black Widow," Scarlett Johansson is a Tony-winning and Academy Award-nominated actress who has spent the last three years building her skincare line, The Outset. In this conversation from June 2023, Johansson joins Willie Geist at The Outset’s New York offices to discuss starring in Wes Anderson’s "Asteroid City," balancing blockbuster films and family life, and her husband Colin Jost’s unlikely eye cream obsession.
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- [00:00]
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- [00:51]
Willie Geist
Hey, guys, Willie Geist here with another episode of the Sunday Sit Down Podcast. My thanks as always for clicking and listening along. I am very excited to bring you my conversation this week because, man, we landed a big one for you. She is one of the biggest stars on the planet. Scarlett Johansson. Yeah, Scarlett Johansson. She's starring in the new Wes Anderson movie called Asteroid City. I will let her explain it to you, but you get it. It's Wes Anderson. It's completely unique. It's beautiful, it's interesting, It's a little weird in all the best ways. Has an incredible cast and you'll hear her talk about the experience of shooting this movie with this amazing group of Academy Award winners that got together to do this movie. So a lot to talk about in terms of her film career. We talk a little Marvel movies. We get into her start. Her first movie was at nine years old in a Rob Reiner film. And it's just been a rocket ship to the moon since then. Including the movie that kind of broke her out into adult stardom, Lost in Translation, where she played alongside Bill Murray. That movie came out 20 years ago.
- [01:54]
Interviewer
Which I kind of shocked her when.
- [01:55]
Willie Geist
I broke that news to her. We got together at the offices of the skincare company she co founded just over a year ago, March of 2022. It's called the Outset. So you'll we're sitting in her office and when I say office, you might imagine this big skincare l' oreal thing. No, it's like a room on a floor in a building in New York City. It is truly a scrappy startup, small group of people, and they're sitting at one of the desks is Scarlett Johansson. So she's put a lot into this. So we get into that as well. As you know, Scarlett is married to Colin Jost, the head writer at Saturday Night Live and also of Course, the anchor of Weekend Update, along with Michael Che. So she talks a little bit about how Colin Jost sort of test drove some of these products. He's a big eye cream guy. Who knew Colin Jost, an eye cream guy? So much fun to sit down with. Scarlett Johansson. I think you'll enjoy our conversation right now on the Sunday Sit down podcast.
- [02:53]
Interviewer
Thanks for having us, Scarlett. Great to see you. I want to talk about the outset a lot. I'm here for the eye cream.
- [02:59]
Scarlett Johansson
Great.
- [02:59]
Interviewer
The Colin Jost eye cream, as I understand it.
- [03:02]
Scarlett Johansson
That's how it's commonly known as. Yeah.
- [03:03]
Interviewer
But let's start, if we can, with Asteroid City.
- [03:06]
Scarlett Johansson
Sure.
- [03:07]
Interviewer
Which is an amazing Wes Anderson film. Beautiful to look at as all of his stuff is. You've worked with him, but in a voice. You did Isle of Dogs. People remember that. But you haven't really been in one of his films. So what is that phone call like when Wes says, not only do I want you in the movie, but I wrote a part for you?
- [03:26]
Scarlett Johansson
Pretty. I'd say that it was. It's like a career dream goal. Definitely. I. I was very excited to read a script in its entirety of his, which I never had the chance to do. And it was in the middle of COVID Right in the middle of COVID So I was not expecting to get any calls about work. I'd sort of just kind of had taken a bit of a pause, I guess, and was also working on the outset actively, and I couldn't even wrap my head around what filming would be like or when it would ever happen again. And so it actually was a really even more exciting phone call to get because it felt hopeful in a time that was very, you know, it was a time that felt all over the place. And so I, Yeah, I read the script and I had a lot of conversations with Wes about this character. I play a few different characters in this film. All of the cast play. We play actors playing parts in a play. And then, of course, the. I'm so. I play an actor who's playing an actor who's also preparing a play. So it has. It's. There was a lot to discuss I had to wrap my head around.
- [04:51]
Interviewer
So, as with every Wes Anderson movie, there may be no point exactly into asking what it's about, because it's kind of an experience. But how do you describe this film to people who are thinking about going to see it?
- [05:06]
Scarlett Johansson
I think the film is really sort of exploration in existentialism. It's, I think, a film that's made it's very reflective of where Wes is at, I think, in his life and career. I think it has in some ways is the fact that it was written and developed during the quarantine time is definitely baked in there. It's very self reflective. And I think it's also a celebration of creativity and the nomadic circus that actors create around themselves. That is something that I think comes up in Wes's work a lot. That real fondness and celebration of that environment.
- [06:04]
Interviewer
So how do you describe the Wes Anderson experience? It's so cool to look at, obviously, and fun to watch. All of his films are. But on the other side of it, as an actor, what does that mean? How is it different from other things you've done?
- [06:19]
Scarlett Johansson
Well, I think Wes love of that nomadic circus is really. It's also represented in the environment that he creates on set. And so, I mean, I wouldn't obviously say that Covid was. I would never call it a helpful environment at all. But it wasn't such a bad thing for how Wes. The space that Wes normally creates around his production. So we were very isolated in a town called Chinchon, which is in Spain in an agricultural area. Really never left our compound where we were all staying. And this whole world was created on a watermelon farm. So all the earth and all the mountains and everything were brought in and built this practical set in the middle of nothing and just agricultural land. And so it was very surreal, but also so magical. I mean, you would, the end of the night go back to our hotel. The whole cast was there, whether they were working or not. There was this excitement in the air, like what had transpired during the day and what were we preparing for the next day? We have a big meal at a long table every night that was curated by Wes. And you know, Sue George was there playing music in the afternoon, which you may be lucky enough to walk past and pick up on. And it's just an incredible environment. I mean, I've never. It was so unique. I've never experienced. I mean, I'd say doing theater is maybe the closest thing that I could describe it to liken it to. It's such a beautiful family that he. That he surrounds himself with of, you know, family he chooses.
- [08:13]
Interviewer
It sounds like an acting fantasy camp. Like you come down for a meal and Tom Hanks is over there and Jeff Goldblum's over here.
- [08:20]
Scarlett Johansson
Yes, you definitely, you know, you go to the gym, Jeff Goldblum's on the treadmill, and then you're waiting for your coffee and Willem Dafoe's ahead of you. It is.
- [08:28]
Interviewer
So let's talk about Midge specifically. You read her on the page. Did you get her right away? What did you think about the character?
- [08:36]
Scarlett Johansson
I did not. You know, it took me a while to understand the movie or the play within the TV show. That concept is. You know, I didn't. It was. You know, it took. I actually had to read it a couple of times. And then Wes makes this schematic which is a sort of living. It's like an animated storyboard, basically, that he voices all of the characters. And so it's the movie in its entirety, which is when you really get it. And actually, when I see the movie now, it's. It totally. It looks. I mean, it's. Of course, it's alive in a different way, but it's sort of a perfect way of showing actors kind of what to expect in a way. Like, what are we going to be making when it's such a big world, you know, and hard to understand how all the pieces go together. My character, Midge, is a. She is a, you know, movie star. She is beloved. She is kind of narcissistic and self involved in, I think, a way that's kind of. That's very alluring and enigmatic. And she's aware that she's constantly being watched. You know, that's just an ingredient in her life that's always there, and she doesn't mind that at all. And she's, you know, we looked at just what actors I could kind of hang my hat on and, you know, of that era, whose career could we emulate? And I think Bette Davis was who we both liked a lot for that. Carole Lombard, you know, actresses like that. But I love Bette Davis and I just love her. I love her whole spirit and her vulnerability, her strength, her groundedness. She feels to me very authentic. And so that's who we kind of.
- [10:54]
Interviewer
Based on and complex. Right. So this role came to you at a complicated time for you as well, to say the least.
- [11:02]
Scarlett Johansson
Well, it wasn't initially that complicated. Initially, it was wide open and great. But as we waited for the window of time to shoot, because of COVID and all the regulations, you know, I got pregnant and I was very happy to be pregnant, but I knew that, you know, I had this obligation to shoot this film and also felt, yeah, I don't want to say obligation. I mean, I was happily obligated to do it. But nonetheless, I at some point had to tell Wes that I was pregnant because I thought, I guess, this couldn't, maybe isn't going to push for as long as I need it to. And, and so in the middle of my pregnancy, I wrote him a letter and I said, I'm happily pregnant, but I'm sadly not going to be available and I would love to help someone else prepare the role. We did so much work on it and everything and it became a character I really loved in true west fashion. He was so excited that I was pregnant. He said, how long do you think you're going to need post birth? And I said, I don't know, maybe like, I guess eight weeks or something. So on my eight week postpartum date, I was flying to Spain and with my young 8 week old baby and Colin. And so that was another added piece to the experience. That was so. It was wonderful. I mean, it was so wonderful. It was challenging, but it was also completely unexpected and I felt so fortunate and grateful to be able to still be able to participate and. And then I got to bring my infant baby to the table and he could be held by Adrien Brody and Willem Dafoe and Bryan Cranston and everybody else.
- [12:48]
Interviewer
The stories he will have his earliest babysitters, all Academy Award winners.
- [12:53]
Scarlett Johansson
That's right. Yeah, that's right.
- [12:55]
Interviewer
That's incredible.
- [12:56]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah.
- [12:57]
Interviewer
Was it difficult though? I mean, long days on set with a newborn.
- [13:01]
Scarlett Johansson
It was difficult because we had shot so all of my work got backloaded and Jason Schwarzman, my co star, was doing all of the work without me and then filling in when I got there. And so it was just a relentless workload. And Wes's dialogue is, you know, I mean, his work is very verbose and very specific. And so it was a lot to prepare with the, everything else that was going on. But I didn't, I don't mind, you know, I don't mind. I like, I loved, I like, like the challenge and again, I was in living like a dream come true.
- [13:43]
Interviewer
So as you say, there's kind of a meta element to it, which is you are an actor, obviously playing an actor. Playing an actor.
- [13:51]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah.
- [13:51]
Interviewer
Did you bring any of your own experience to it as someone who's well known and you know, that have eyes on you all the time. Did you feel any of that?
- [13:59]
Scarlett Johansson
Yes, definitely. I think, I mean, now it feels like everybody is aware that they're or everybody feels they're being watched or observed all the time. I think just based on social media and how, you know, the different ways that people live their lives now. But I mean, I guess my experience of feeling the Eyes on Me has predated the social media stuff. So I do, you know, I think all actors are, you know, hyper aware of being watched or, you know, hoping to be noticed. And, you know, that's a part of both of the actors that I play in this. You know, they love a dramatic pause.
- [14:49]
Interviewer
Right. The movie's being incredibly well received already. Like, you got a big ovation at Cannes, which is always the first test. Right. Is it nice to be a part of something? I mean, obviously you've done it many, many times before, but that has so much energy around it and buzz around it, and people say, oh, did you hear about the new Wes Anderson movie and the whole look who's in it and the cast? That's got to be fun to have such positivity around a project like that.
- [15:14]
Scarlett Johansson
Oh, yeah. I mean, it's. I've been really fortunate enough to work on projects and with directors that have had this kind of built in buzz and excitement. Working For Marvel for 10 years, people were always wanting to know little secrets and wanting to know plot details and casting surprises and all that stuff. And it's so fun to feel like you're part of something that's eagerly anticipated. And Wes. Wes's career, his art has that kind of has built such an amazing fan base that is just whatever your impression is of the movie, there's always something to take away from it. His work is so. It's just so impressive. And I think as when you go into something like that, you're. Yeah, it takes some of the stress away, you know.
- [16:23]
Interviewer
Well, you're so good in it. Congratulations. It's amazing.
- [16:26]
Willie Geist
Hey, guys, thanks for listening to the Sunday sit Down podcast. Stick around to hear more from Scarlett Johansson Right after the break.
- [16:32]
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- [16:47]
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- [17:46]
Willie Geist
Welcome back. Now more of my conversation with Scarlett Johansson.
- [17:50]
Interviewer
Okay, so let's move off screen now and talk about the outset.
- [17:54]
Scarlett Johansson
The outset, yeah.
- [17:55]
Interviewer
So you're just over a year in, officially.
- [17:58]
Scarlett Johansson
Yes.
- [17:58]
Interviewer
To this adventure that you've been on.
- [18:00]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah.
- [18:01]
Interviewer
How's it going? Something completely different than you've ever done before.
- [18:04]
Scarlett Johansson
It is. It's a completely different industry. Whole new group of people. It's been great. I mean, it definitely is. You know, it's work that when you have a business where you are producing something, developing it, producing it, sourcing it, you know, putting it together, packaging it, storing it, distributing it, all of those pieces, you know, there's, there are challenges, unique challenges that come with every step of that process, but it makes getting the product in your hands even that much more rewarding. And when you talk to people that are feeling this transformation in the way that they look and how they feel about themselves subsequently, that is awesome. I mean, it's such a. It's, it's, it's really makes you feel like it's worth the. All of the hardship that comes with having a scrappy startup like this.
- [19:02]
Interviewer
And it is that. I mean, we were talking before we started, but some of your friends and colleagues in the acting world who've done things like this, right, they say exactly the same thing. This is real work. This is not putting my name and my face on something like this is a second career. And it requires a lot of your attention.
- [19:17]
Scarlett Johansson
It does.
- [19:18]
Interviewer
Have you been surprised by that or were you expecting that? And, and you've confronted it head on.
- [19:24]
Scarlett Johansson
I don't know necessarily that surprised is how I would describe it, but I definitely, I could not have anticipated how relentless the work would be just to, you know, continue to, you know, be out there and, you know, play with everybody else. You know, it really, you have to keep pushing just the same way you do to get a movie made, you know, because that's your, you know, nobody else is going to aid you with that. You really have to be like the, your own, the engine of your own machine. And so. But that's how I wanted it. And my co founding partner, Kate Foster and I, we both had that drive and excitement and curiosity. I mean, she had done it previously with her own startup. And for me, it felt like this opportunity to approach my creativity in a different kind of way in an industry that I'm very passionate about, but, you know, had to navigate from this, from the start, you know, just, just fresh. So we definitely didn't make it easy for ourselves. But it's, again, it's, it's a labor of love. We have an incredible team here and everybody shares that same passion.
- [20:51]
Interviewer
You know, it's exciting, fun, bit of trivia. Kate and I shared a parasailing boat on vacation in the Caribbean last year. No, totally coincidentally.
- [20:59]
Willie Geist
That's so cool.
- [20:59]
Interviewer
We just saw each other again for the first time since we were up in like a harness flying above the Caribbean.
- [21:05]
Scarlett Johansson
Whoa.
- [21:05]
Interviewer
We're old pals, aren't we, Kate? Yeah, that's it. So what compelled you to take on this challenge? Because as you said, it's real work. And did you see something in the beauty industry that you thought, I think there's maybe a lane for something different or what did you want to do with this?
- [21:21]
Scarlett Johansson
You know, I have for, you know, since I as, since I was probably 12, 13 years old, have struggled with acne. I was, you know, had working skin forever. And when I was younger, I, you know, it was very much, it was all about sort of stripping away your skin and, you know, cleaning your skin and getting rid of this dirty skin and all these different multiple step systems of how you could, you know, basically resurface your entire face. And I think just years of using all of those actives and trying to find a solution and I, and feeling really blue, frankly, about, you know, and self conscious about the texture and quality of my skin. At some point I thought, you know, it was like I have to kind of just stop everything and just try something else, which was just using very, you know, clean moisturizing products and stop like stripping everything away. And that's when my skin completely transformed. And, and through that process of having so much woe and concern about my skin, I learned a lot about skincare and I became very passionate about it and interested in it and other people's skincare and what they were doing. And so it really was something that I was, I always, you know, I was very interested in pursuing but didn't know how to get in. I just knew it was something I didn't want to license my name. I wanted to do something that was reflective of my own, you know, my own routine, my own findings and create a line that was Transparent and was accessible. And that's how it started, really. And then I met my co founding partner, Kate, and all the pieces came together. It was like I knew I needed my producing partner and there she was. And so then we just took the plunge together. But of course, it was during COVID so that had its own unique.
- [23:39]
Interviewer
You really put all the barriers in front of yourself. Let's make this as hard as possible.
- [23:44]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, right. Yeah. Didn't foresee that, actually, like most people. Yeah. But yes, everybody that knows me, all of my close friends and family were not surprised at all that I was developing a skincare line. They were just waiting for the products to come out.
- [24:04]
Interviewer
So when people are shopping, they're going through Sephora, which I know you guys are there, right?
- [24:08]
Scarlett Johansson
Yes.
- [24:09]
Interviewer
What is different and unique about this? Because, man, if I walk in there, I don't know where to begin. You know what I mean?
- [24:16]
Scarlett Johansson
Right? Yes. And that's what's different about the outset, I think very much you say you don't know where to begin. You can begin with the outset. It's a very. When I say accessible, you not only do we is it an accessible or affordable luxury, I guess you would say, but the price point is, is fairly accessible. But you, you are also. It's very clear what the, you know, what the ingredients are, how to use the products. You know, it's not. We were conscious of not making something, you know, there's so much fatigue, I think, out there with just the noise in the space and what product follows what and what active is not working with what other active. And all this stuff we say we our products play well with others. You know, it's like if you're looking for a cleanser, you're looking for a prep step, you're looking for a moisturizer that's, you know, going to find that at the outset and it's going to be gentle on your skin, it's going to be nourishing. It's good for all skin types. It's, you know, we didn't make it easy for ourselves by creating a clean skin care line because, you know, it does eliminate a lot of those ingredients that are quick fixes, you know, like mineral oils and petroleum and, you know, things that are really not great for your own skin and for the planet, but effective quickly. So that's made it a little bit challenging for us. But again, we like the challenge. We want as many people to be able to participate in the products as possible.
- [25:57]
Interviewer
And you guys point out it is for the guys too. In fact, a large share of your products are sold to men.
- [26:03]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, we do. We actually have a large male customer base. And I think that's because the products are so. It takes me probably 2 minutes and 33 seconds to get out the, you.
- [26:18]
Interviewer
Know, speaking my language.
- [26:19]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, it just. I don't want. I don't. It's not my thing to have fuss with that. I have other things that are fussy. Mainly two children and a whole other career. I. I don't want to be spending that time in the bathroom.
- [26:31]
Interviewer
So is it true that Colin is a big proponent of the eye cream? Yes, that's his thing.
- [26:35]
Scarlett Johansson
Colin was our eye cream cream connoisseur. I never used eye cream before. And, you know, Kate and I were talking about our hero products. What do we want this line to look like? She said, and then we do the eye cream. I said, I don't. I've been told I'm supposed to be using eye cream. She's like, scarlett, you're not using eye cream. I was like, well, I want to learn, you know, And Colin uses it every day. And so I thought, well, why don't. Since, you know, it was during COVID and I didn't have so many people to test it on in my, you know, it had to be this small vicinity. Colin became our eye cream expert. Wow. And I got him to switch to the outset eye cream.
- [27:12]
Interviewer
And he looks great. He's never looked better. So youthful.
- [27:15]
Scarlett Johansson
He is. He's like de aging. It's very annoying.
- [27:18]
Interviewer
He's radiant.
- [27:19]
Scarlett Johansson
He is. Drives me crazy.
- [27:22]
Interviewer
So where do you go with this from here? I mean, it's going really well.
- [27:26]
Scarlett Johansson
Yes.
- [27:26]
Interviewer
Are you gonna make this new products? Is there a whole nother wave coming?
- [27:30]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, we have. So we just are dipping our toe into international shipp. And so we are now at Cult Beauty in the UK most recently. And because we're such a small startup, we have, you know, it's hard. It's been, you know, there are obstacles to being able to ship internationally. But we found that so much of our. So much of the traffic on our site was coming through the UK and Australia that like, all right, we've got to take advantage of this. We want people to be able to use it everywhere. And so that's a big deal for us. And as far as product development, we are constantly developing new things, but it takes us a very long time because we have again, these very. We've set the standard for ourselves high. So we've been working on our spf, which should be Available in the not too Distant feature. And that also is a long, long process of doing SPF and stuff. You learn all of this stuff, I bet, Right?
- [28:32]
Interviewer
It seems so easy on the shelf at the drugstore. You have no idea what went into it all.
- [28:36]
Scarlett Johansson
No, definitely. And you want it to take that long?
- [28:37]
Interviewer
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
- [28:38]
Scarlett Johansson
Definitely.
- [28:39]
Interviewer
For sure. Well, that's amazing. Congratulations. Look at you, you're doing it all. It's incredible.
- [28:43]
Scarlett Johansson
I mean. Yeah, yeah. You know.
- [28:45]
Interviewer
Yeah.
- [28:46]
Scarlett Johansson
I mean, I still always feel like I'm forgetting 700 things and you know, I got a lot of plates spinning. But I have an amazing, amazing support network and, and you know, that's very important. We all have to lean on each other.
- [28:59]
Interviewer
Yeah. And with a toddler at home, I mean, it's all very impressive.
- [29:02]
Scarlett Johansson
I mean, you know, there's. I definitely. I'm sure I left like the oven on or whatever, but.
- [29:08]
Interviewer
Yeah, your son will take care of that.
- [29:12]
Willie Geist
Stick around for more of my conversation with Scarlett Johansson. Right after a quick break.
- [29:17]
McDonald's Snack Wrap Announcer
The McDonald's snack wrap is back. You brought it back. Ranch snack wrap. Spicy snack wrap. You broke the Internet for a snack? Snack wrap is back.
- [29:30]
Interviewer
Ba da ba ba ba.
- [29:33]
Scarlett Johansson
Hey, it's Chris K from Target. Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas.
- [29:38]
McDonald's Snack Wrap Announcer
Hit it, Dasher.
- [29:41]
Scarlett Johansson
Give me some jingle bells. Dancer, Prancer. Let's hear a beat.
- [29:49]
Interviewer
And mouse chorus. Oh, it's a beautiful job, everybody. Alright, now bring it home.
- [30:00]
Scarlett Johansson
Happy holidays, everybody. Welcome to Walgreens. What can I help you with today? Hi, I need a last minute gift.
- [30:07]
Willie Geist
For a secret Santa.
- [30:08]
Scarlett Johansson
Something thoughtful, impressive. Not a fruitcake. We've got Ferrero chocolates, artisan coffees, even a spa kit. Any vibe you're going to for whatever.
- [30:16]
Interviewer
Says, wow, this guy's great at giving gifts.
- [30:19]
Scarlett Johansson
How about this premium skincare gift set? Just needs a bow. Will look like you planned it weeks ago.
- [30:25]
Interviewer
Well, happy holidays.
- [30:26]
McDonald's Snack Wrap Announcer
Gifts, holiday decor and more. The holiday road is long. We're with you all the way, Walgreens.
- [30:33]
Willie Geist
Welcome back. Now to the rest of my conversation with Scarlett Johansson.
- [30:37]
Interviewer
You mentioned being 12 or 13 being a kid, and I think that's around the time you started when you're growing up somewhere down the street here in the village, thinking about being an actress, Is that fair to say? With musicals being the first temptation, something you wanted to aspire to. Is that fair to say?
- [30:56]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, I mean, when I was. Well, actually when I was 12, I had been working, so I started working when I was like seven and a half. Eight and the half is very important. Seven And a half. And I know that because I have an eight and a half year old. But, yeah, by the time I was 12, I had done. I just finished the Horse Whisperer, which was like a massive. It was a huge break for me. And, yeah, I always. I was one of those singing, dancing kids, I think probably partly because I'm one of four kids. And you try to, you know, you gotta get noticed.
- [31:35]
Interviewer
Yeah.
- [31:35]
Scarlett Johansson
Or else you get forgotten.
- [31:36]
Interviewer
Yeah, yeah, that's right. So you gotta put on a song and dance.
- [31:40]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, definitely. I was like, I'm young. I'm cute.
- [31:42]
Interviewer
Cute.
- [31:43]
Scarlett Johansson
Look at me. Don't forget to feed me. No, I'm just kidding.
- [31:46]
Interviewer
So how did that translate, though, from singing and dancing in the living room to let's get you some auditions? Like, clearly your family encouraged it, right?
- [31:53]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, I remember my older brother Adrian, who's eight years older than me. He had a friend in his school who was doing commercials and different kind of work. He had a talent manager that was a kids talent manager. And the mom was friends with my mom, and she said, oh, maybe your kids would want to meet the talent manager and see if maybe they want to be represented or whatever. They'll want one of your children or something. So we all went. I was extremely excited, obviously. And I'd been asking my mom for years, like, how to be on. I wanted to be on stage. And the only person they wanted from the talent agency was my older brother, Adrian. Yeah. So that was. It. Was it cut deep?
- [32:36]
Interviewer
Yeah.
- [32:36]
Scarlett Johansson
That stinks. It did. I was devastated. It was. It was awful. And, yeah, that was my first big career rejection right there at age, what, seven?
- [32:47]
Interviewer
That's tough.
- [32:48]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, it was. But it was good for me, though. It built a thing. Actually, what it confirmed was that it was something I really wanted to try. And I remember my mom saying, this is a big investment. We have to get you headshots. And I have no free time. I'm gonna have to make time to do this. And she was like, you have to really want to commit to this. It can't just be a little thing you do on the side. And I wanted to do it. I was ready to. Wanted to audition. I wanted to, you know, to try it out. And so that's how I started. And I booked a Kitchenaid voiceover commercial, and then I booked a Rob Reiner movie. And then I, you know, and then I started working pretty regularly from that time. And it was a time also where you, you know, casting directors would go, they'd see kids in the East coast and they'd see kids in the West Coast. And so there was this network of casting directors that if you, you know, were prepared and doing good work and they would keep you in mind for other things. And so I really have a lot of those incredible casting directors, you know, from New York and, you know, to really thank for launching my career because they gave me opportunities to read for directors and have a chance of getting cast, you know.
- [34:03]
Interviewer
Yeah. So you do. You're in a film, a Rob Reiner movie. You're in a Robert Redford movie. Things are really happening for you. Do you feel like the big leap was Lost in translation, which was 20 years ago this summer, by the way.
- [34:15]
Scarlett Johansson
Whoa.
- [34:16]
Interviewer
Can you believe that? August of 2003, 20 years ago?
- [34:19]
Scarlett Johansson
I think that's wrong.
- [34:20]
Interviewer
No, it came out 20 years ago. Can you believe that?
- [34:23]
Scarlett Johansson
I don't want to believe it, but.
- [34:25]
Interviewer
Did that feel like a significant escalation in your career?
- [34:30]
Scarlett Johansson
It did. And it was also reflective of the fact that I was becoming. That I was a young woman at that time, too. So it. I mean, I was 17 when I made Lost in Translation, but I, you know, soon after that was 18 and, you know, no longer needed a chaperone on set. And I was then, you know, it was transformative in many different ways.
- [34:56]
Interviewer
I forgot how young you were when you made that. I mean, 17, you're just. You're a high school kid basically being thrust into this world. Was that a hard thing, to have that many eyes on you and to be treated now as an adult effectively after that movie?
- [35:12]
Scarlett Johansson
I mean, I think just being that age is hard anyway. It's just a painful time, I think. I mean, I had a lot of fun, but it's still, you know, you're.
- [35:23]
Willie Geist
So.
- [35:25]
Scarlett Johansson
Sort of, you know, you're self involved, I think, in a way that can be really. Can be hard, you know, because you just don't. You're. You don't have the kind of vocabulary of a, you know, or perspective of an adult, you know, but you're. But you're in an adult environment. I mean, I was used to being, of course, around a lot of adults because I'd been working for such a long time, but it definitely had. Yeah, it was. It was. It could be a kind of lonely time, especially making the transition. I'd grown up in Manhattan, and so I was now working and living in la. And that in itself was a hard. The reality was very different. Being in LA and needing a car to get everywhere and not having the, I don't know, the kind of this crazy energy that New York has where you're constantly surrounded by. And sometimes it's relentless and overbearing, but you're surrounded by life, and it's a very vibrant place all the time. So that was hard.
- [36:44]
Interviewer
You're a New Yorker.
- [36:45]
Scarlett Johansson
I'm a New Yorker, yeah.
- [36:46]
Interviewer
Always will be.
- [36:47]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, definitely.
- [36:48]
Interviewer
Which is why it must have been incredibly cool to come to Broadway, which sort of brings it full circle. The song and dance and the performance in your living room with your family. Not only to come to Broadway and do Arthur Miller, but to win a Tony Award. That must have been thrilling.
- [37:03]
Scarlett Johansson
It was thrilling. It was so. I was just so. I couldn't believe I was doing a play with Liev Schreiber. And then to be doing Arthur Miller with Liev and have our production so incredibly received and feel totally welcomed by this amazing community I admired for my entire life and feel that thrill of being on stage every night and the unexpected, you know, have. That just. It's so exciting and makes you feel, like, alive, you know, and to do it with, again with Arthur Miller's words and the complexity of that story, it was just a dream come true.
- [37:47]
Interviewer
I was interested to read, too, that it sort of, like, rekindled your enthusiasm and love for acting and performance. Not that you'd lost it entirely, but you were sort of figuring out Hollywood and all that, and you said, oh, yeah, right. This is what I love to do.
- [38:02]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, yeah. I think I was sort of. I had. I felt like I was at a crossroads at that time because I, you know, Lost in Translation had come out and Girl With a Pearl Earring and, you know, I'd been able to work on Match Point, and I did, you know, a lot of. Really. I did some very exciting work, but then kind of came into a time where I was. I don't know, I just couldn't. I felt like the work that was out there for me anyway was not. It just was sort of uninspired. And I didn't know. I thought, oh, I can't. I don't want to do work that's uninspiring. I would rather do another. Some other thing. And that's when the chance to do View from the Bridge came out and came to me. And it was. The work was so intense and working opposite Michael Christopher and Jessica Hecht and Liev Schreiber. And it was so visceral that I thought, oh, yeah, this is another level of performance. I have, like. My muscles haven't totally atrophied. There's something there.
- [39:15]
Interviewer
And you get the energy of an audience affirming for you that you're doing something right. Right up there.
- [39:20]
Scarlett Johansson
I remember I was so scared before the opening, you know, of our previews, and Liev and I were on the stage. I said, oh, my God. Just feel like everybody is, wait. The eyes are on me and waiting for me to misstep or whatever. Liev said, no, no, no. You're forgetting that everyone has come here. They took. They got a babysitter. They had a nice restaurant reservation. They put on their clothes. Nice. They took a taxi here. Whatever. They came to the. They bought this expensive ticket. They're sitting here with you, with us, you know, for whatever, two hours. And they want you to succeed. That's what they're hoping for. They want a night at the theater. And that was such a gift that he gave to me because it completely changed my way of thinking and was so empowering.
- [40:09]
Interviewer
Take some of the pressure off, right?
- [40:10]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah.
- [40:11]
Interviewer
Release a little bit.
- [40:12]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah. When you feel like people are wanting you to succeed. And that, to me is. That's the pressure that I thrive on. Is that to deliver. But in that context.
- [40:29]
Interviewer
And then it's the same year. I think it's the same year as the play that Black Widow and Iron Man 2 come along by a twist of fate. All of a sudden, now you're in the Marvel universe. So you're at this crossroads where, like, I don't know what I'm doing to winning a Tony and now you're in a Marvel movie. And then a bunch that came after that. What did the Marvel movies and Black Widow most recently do to your career and your life just in terms of, like, joining this world that people are so invested in and so many people are aware of and watch it.
- [41:02]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah.
- [41:03]
Interviewer
How much fun was that to be a part of?
- [41:05]
Scarlett Johansson
It was. I mean, I had done Iron Man 2 and then we were making. You know, that was already. I didn't know whether I would be accepted by the. You know, by this massive fan base that was already there from the first Iron man and then from the mcu. And I had. Or actually at that point, there was no mcu. It was just Marvel. But, you know, I didn't know what the. It was kind of new territory also for Kevin Feige and all those guys at Marvel because they were now working independently of the studio and so just feeling that the audience was interested in that character and what else there could be. What was her story? How does she fit into this world knowing that there was an appetite for her after that film came out was. That was great. You know, I didn't. I was certainly not expecting it. I was hoping for it, but not expecting it at all. It was a relief. And then to make Avengers again, it was. You know, none of us. It was so early days in that genre. I mean, the way that it was then, just the beginning, you know, of how. Of that size of franchise and all that it became. I mean, we were on the set of Avengers going, this is either gonna be. We're having an amazing time with all these incredible actors, and yet we don't. You know, this could be really awful. I mean, it's so crazy. You have. I remember going, there's a Nordic God. We have a mutant. This, like, rich playboy, you know, turned robot guy. I'm a Russian spy. That. It was just like, this is a recipe for disaster. Somebody that's been frozen in ice and comes up. It's like, I don't know. This is so goofy. But then, you know, it was just. Whedon had that vision for it, and Kevin Feige certainly did, and here we are.
- [43:12]
Interviewer
I've talked to some of your friends from those movies who say, like, you go to your first Comic Con, and you're like, oh, this really means a lot to a lot of people. All of a sudden, you get like, okay, we better be good. And thank God they happen.
- [43:25]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah. Yeah. I mean, and it's been. The evolution is. I can't imagine any other capacity that I could be doing that work over 10 years, playing the same character and getting to have, you know, really dig in. And with the culminating in the standalone Black Widow, which was just the best experience. I mean, every day I came to work, I was so grateful to be there and have been a part of that whole creative process from the beginning of understanding, what is this? Okay, now that we've come 10 years, like, what are we making? Why are we making it? Does it have a purpose and can it deliver? And then getting from that to the finished product, it was like. It was incredible.
- [44:10]
Interviewer
Were you aware of at the time, or do you think about now that young girls looked at Natasha, looked at Black Widow, and saying, yeah, that's my superhero. That was a big deal to a lot of people.
- [44:20]
Scarlett Johansson
It was. I think, because there weren't so many, you know, superheroines before that had totally delivered and that were fully realized characters. And, of course, that character became even more fully realized as, you know, with each installment. You know, I wouldn't say that In Iron Man 2, she's really, like, there's a little something in there, but it's still, you know, very gendered. And, you know, she is, you know, she has that kind of femme fatale, you know, vibe about her that's not, you know, that feels. Not. That feels a little shallow, to be frank. But then it was. I was able to work with my director and make, you know, really make a character that was very fully formed. And I think that's why young women are attracted to her is because she's a real person. You know, she's flawed or she has her own perceived flaws, and she's, you know, she's struggles with, you know, her own feeling of identity and belonging and, you know, and she. That's. It's great to see that that's what, you know, young women are looking for. They want to see themselves reflected, not just a fantasy version of how a young woman's supposed to be.
- [45:48]
Interviewer
Yeah, it helps that they're fun. Good. Easy to watch movies, too. Like, you're just in it from the. From the beginning, right?
- [45:54]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, totally.
- [45:55]
Interviewer
Okay, I promise I'll stop the waltz through your IMDb page here, but I do have to ask you about 2019, when you were nominated for two Oscars at the same Academy Awards with Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit. What was that experience like to be sitting there knowing you're in two categories and that you've given two performances that close together worthy of being in those awards?
- [46:19]
Scarlett Johansson
It was. I mean, it was wonderful. It was so exciting also to be there with Taika and to be there with Noah and our cast, who had all, you know, have been nominated, the films had been nominated. So to be able to have that experience of going, not just myself, but with the whole cast and our creatives and everything is one. It was fantastic. I mean, I had a great, great night. And, you know, I had never been nominated for an Academy Award before, and so to be nominated twice, it was like. Yeah, it felt like. I mean, it was hard to process, actually. I still have not processed it, actually.
- [47:06]
Interviewer
You're still working through it as we sit here.
- [47:09]
Scarlett Johansson
I was like, oh, yeah, that is pretty cool. No, it just. Yeah, it was. It was amazing, you know, and also, strangely, there was, like, no pressure because you're there with your whole cast and creative. I don't know. You know, you just don't expect to even be there. And so to be there with the two is just. It was really something. I was so proud, you know, and I'm really proud of the work that we did on both of Those films too.
- [47:35]
Interviewer
Do you think about as you pick movies, okay, I did a Wes Anderson movie. I've done the Marvel movie. I've done these Oscar y movies. Do you think like that or do you just say, here's a great director I want to work with. Here's a great script. I'm going to do it. Are you strategic about your career?
- [47:52]
Scarlett Johansson
Yeah, yeah, definitely. I think, yeah, I am. I am. I think that's sort of exciting. Part of it is the strategy, the building, you know, building it, you know, so that you have, so that you're surprising yourself, you know, with the, with what is, you know, what you dedicate your time to. It's so hard to make a movie. I mean, it's so hard. And you know, of course it look, you see the finished product and it gets picked apart by everybody. And you know, but you know, making a bad movie is just as hard as making a great movie. It doesn't get any easier or less. And so, you know, you really do want to be strategic about, you know, how to build the whole, your whole career while still doing work that is fresh, you know, and feels challenging. As you know, you don't want to see the same performance twice. I mean, you certainly don't want to do it. Well, some actors might.
- [49:01]
Interviewer
Yeah, some actors might just run it back. Yeah.
- [49:04]
Scarlett Johansson
But I don't think I would like to do that.
- [49:07]
Interviewer
Whatever you're doing, it's working. So great job.
- [49:09]
Scarlett Johansson
Thank you.
- [49:10]
Interviewer
Thank you.
- [49:11]
Willie Geist
My big thanks again to Scarlett Johansson for a great conversation and to the two at the outset for opening up their offices to us.
- [49:18]
Interviewer
My thanks to all of you for.
- [49:19]
Willie Geist
Listening again this week. If you want to hear more of my conversations with my guests every week, be sure to click follow so you never miss an episode. And don't forget to tune in to Sunday today every weekend on NBC. I'm Willie Geist. We'll see you right back here next week on the Sunday sit down podcast.
- [49:46]
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