Scarlett Johansson Says She’s Basically Made A Career Out Of “Being Second Choice”
Before Black Widow was pushed from its original release date of May 1, 2020, to November 6, 2020, Scarlett Johansson did an interview with Parade to promote it. She talked about her life and career and said that she’s made a career out of “being second choice.” Yes, ScarJo is the definition of an underdog and nothing says “underdog” like being the highest-paid actress in the world two years in a row.
ScarJo has been steadily working since she was a kid, and like 99% of the actors out there, got hit with a ton of no thank-yous:
“Since a very young age, I’ve been rejected constantly. When people starting out ask me for advice, I always say to stay open-minded, because you never know.”
But while ScarJo didn’t always book roles, she said she never fully wanted to quit the game and had thoughts of doing something else within the industry of show business. Um, ScarJo, you didn’t just have thoughts. You made those thoughts reality. See: you trying to be a singer.
“I’ve never felt that I had both feet out, you know? I never imagined having another career, but there were definitely times when I felt like I should try something else in the industry.”
Despite working consistently for decades, ScarJo paints herself as a scrappy little actress who pulled herself up from the streets and booked roles thanks to directors being like, “Well, so and so turned down the role, but we can always call that Scarlett Johansson. She’ll do it!” As many know, Emily Blunt was the first choice for Black Widow in Iron Man 2 but she couldn’t take the role because of scheduling conflicts. ScarJo said:
“I said, “If this doesn’t work out, I’m an actor for hire, so call me anytime.”… The best call you can receive is after you are rejected for something and then you get it. You appreciate it more. I’ve basically made a career out of being second choice.”
Little known fact (that isn’t a fact): ScarJo’s role in Ghost In The Shell was originally offered to Julia Roberts.
ScarJo also talked a little about her fiancé, Colin Jost, and how amazing and nice he is. Although, even if Colin was an alleged child molester, ScarJo would still give him her stamp of approval.
“What you see is what you get with him,” she says. “He’s very optimistic, easygoing, funny, nice, and those are the qualities that really drew me to him.” They started off as friends and started dating in 2017. “It’s so funny to have a long-term shared experience with someone and then the relationships changes,” she adds. Jost popped the question in 2019, and the stunning 11-carat light brown diamond ring is proudly displayed on her left hand.
But back to Second Choice Scarlett, this does explain why she’s always talking about wanting to play roles she should probably avoid. Clearly, ScarJo lost the title role in The Tree of Life to an actual tree and she never got over it.
Pic: Parade