Scarlett Johansson Announces Directorial Debut With Cast
Scarlett Johansson is best known for her landmark acting career, starring in films such as Asteroid City, JoJo Rabbit, and many installments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Natasha Romanoff, AKA Black Widow. Now, according to an exclusive write-up in Variety, Johansson is poised to follow in the footsteps of many great performers by taking her talents behind the camera as a director. Her directorial debut is titled Eleanor the Great, and just added Jessica Hecht, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and June Squibb to the cast.
Scarlett Johansson is Directing Eleanor The Great
Though the film was only recently announced, the title has already undergone a name change, as it was initially reported to be titled Eleanor, Invisible. The Scarlett Johansson-helmed feature was written by up-and-coming scribe Tory Kamen, who previously served as a production assistant on the FX original series The Mick. Not much is known about the plot of Eleanor the Great at this time, though Variety confirms that the narrative will center on an elderly woman whose life is dramatically changed after the death of her best friend.
The Movie Stars June Squibb
The eponymous woman, to be portrayed by June Squibb, will return to her home state of New York after living in Florida for many years in an attempt to kick start a bold new chapter. Squibb holds nearly 100 IMDb credits for her decades of on-camera work and previously received an Oscar nomination for her role in 2013’s Nebraska. In addition to directing the picture, Scarlett Johansson is attached to produce, alongside reps from Pinky Promise, These Pictures, and Maven Screen Media.
Johansson Has Worked With The Best Directors In The Business
This news is certainly exciting for many fans of Scarlett Johansson, as the 39-year-old actress has been a fixture in Hollywood since she first appeared on screen at the age of 10. Her IMDb credits span over 75 titles, including high-profile collaborations with auteur filmmakers such as Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, Christopher Nolan, and many others. Before taking on the reins of a feature film, Johansson directed a short film titled These Vagabond Shoes and co-directed a concert film featuring a musical performance by Ellie Goulding, sponsored by American Express.
Will On-Camera Range Translate To Behind The Camera?
Clearly, Scarlett Johansson has spent a number of years preparing and fine-tuning her behind-the-camera style in order to bring her vision to life, leaving Eleanor the Great in very capable hands. In addition to her directorial work, Johansson is also slated to lead the cast of three upcoming projects, each of which vary wildly in tone and style, showcasing the prolific actress’ unbelievable range.
Upcoming Starring Roles
One not-yet-titled film sees Scarlett Johansson teaming with Channing Tatum and Woody Harrelson in a story that takes place during the Cold War space race of the 1960s. Another film, Featherwood, will see Johansson portraying a recovering addict who teams with the FBI to infiltrate and take down a crime syndicate in the heart of Texas. Finally, the Black Widow lead is poised to star in the prequel film Transformers One, which takes place on the eponymous robots’ distant home planet of Cybertron.
A Jam-Packed 2024
Clearly, Scarlett Johansson has a full plate scheduled for 2024, with her directorial debut sure to pique interest from film fans across the globe. With any luck, Eleanor the Great could serve as the first step to a long and fruitful directing career for the leading woman.
Source: Variety
