In a late June interview with The Times, Scarlett Johansson observed, "Hollywood is now ushering in a new era for women. The messaging is different – there are more female role models and women in positions of power. I also have more opportunities to play female characters who aren't confined to a specific mold."

Earlier in her career, Johansson was often typecast in seductive roles, frequently playing the attractive young love interest. In the 2000s, most of her characters were portrayed through the male gaze, serving as a backdrop to male-driven narratives like 2009's He’s Just Not That into You. These roles, she admits, were unfulfilling.

Scarlett Johansson on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in June. Photo: Instagram/ Todd Owyoung

Scarlett Johansson on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in June. Photo: Instagram/ Todd Owyoung

Over the years, Johansson has diversified her roles, from an extraterrestrial being in 2013's Under the Skin to Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2014, she impressed audiences as the voice of the AI operating system, Samantha, in Her – a project where she performed solely through voice acting.

She continues to demonstrate her acting prowess, taking on complex roles centered around career-driven women in films like 2014's Lucy, 2019's Marriage Story, and 2024's Fly Me to the Moon. Johansson will next appear in the blockbuster Jurassic World: Rebirth, opening on 2/7.

Also in The Times interview, Johansson discussed the long wait for desired projects and learning to accept that things take time. "Before, my responsibility was simply to work productively, maintain momentum, and wait for the right opportunities. This isn't easy because there's always this existential fear that accompanies waiting, but I had to create space for the creative process to unfold properly. It's stressful. I work in an industry where you constantly feel like your time is running out. But I believe the effort will be rewarded."

Trailer "Jurassic World Rebirth". The film is rated 13+. Video: Universal Pictures Vietnam

Johansson was once labeled a "sex symbol," frequently appearing on "sexiest women" lists compiled by major magazines. The actor has made a conscious effort to shed this image, not viewing it as a pathway to more substantial roles.

Speaking to Variety in 2022, she revealed that the film industry "hypersexualized" her at a young age, leading to fears that she wouldn't be able to secure the roles she desired. "I felt like I was being turned into an object or categorized in a way that prevented me from getting the film offers I truly wanted," she stated.

41-year-old Scarlett Johansson is one of Hollywood's most successful actors of the past two decades. She frequently appears on lists of the world's highest-paid actresses. Critics praise her acting skills, resulting in two Oscar nominations and five Golden Globe nominations. In May, her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, received a five-minute standing ovation at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Phuong Thao (via The Times, Variety)