A Landmark Directorial Debut at Cannes
Scarlett Johansson has added a new, significant chapter to her celebrated career, making her directorial debut with the film Eleanor the Great. The heartwarming drama, which stars veteran actress June Squibb, follows the story of a 90-year-old woman attempting to rebuild her life after the death of her best friend. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, where it was met with a five-minute standing ovation from the audience, a testament to its emotional resonance and Johansson’s skill behind the camera. Following its successful festival run, the movie is set to be released in theaters in September. Johansson also served as a producer on the project, demonstrating her creative commitment to telling character-driven stories from a new perspective.
Starring in a Summer Blockbuster and a Controversial Skit
In addition to her work as a director, Scarlett Johansson has returned to the big screen in a major summer blockbuster, Jurassic World Rebirth. The film, which premiered in July, has been a box office hit, further solidifying her status as a global star. Her performance has been praised for adding new life to the franchise. Separately, Johansson made a controversial appearance on a recent episode of Saturday Night Live where she delivered a skit that targeted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The jokes, which poked fun at the couple’s media presence and celebrity status, drew a strong reaction from the audience and ignited widespread discussion on social media, demonstrating her willingness to engage with controversial topics through comedy.
A Private Life and a Public Stance on Social Media
Scarlett Johansson recently offered a rare glimpse into her private life and her reasons for avoiding social media. In an interview on The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast, she candidly explained that her “ego is too fragile” for the platforms and that they give her “too much anxiety.” She described a moment of realizing she had spent 20 minutes “looking at somebody’s Instagram page” and then feeling “so bad” that she was “missing out” on that random person’s life. This commentary resonates with many who struggle with social media’s effects on mental health. Additionally, she shared a lighthearted and relatable anecdote about her parenting style and the challenges of raising her son, Cosmo, with her husband, Colin Jost.
The Business Ventures of a Hollywood Mogul
Beyond her acting and directing, Scarlett Johansson is also an active entrepreneur. In 2022, she co-founded a plant-based skincare line called The Outset. The brand, which focuses on clean and hydrating products, has been a commercial success, generating significant revenue. This venture showcases her business acumen and her interest in health and wellness. Furthermore, Johansson established her own production company, These Pictures, in 2017. The company is dedicated to creating compelling and character-driven stories for film and television, allowing her to have more creative control over her projects. This role as a producer allows her to nurture new talent and bring fresh, diverse stories to the screen, cementing her legacy as a multifaceted Hollywood mogul.
