Scarlett Johansson Once Feared Her Career Was ‘Over’ At A Young Age

From a teenage sensation to one of the industry’s most influential stars, Scarlett Johansson‘s rise has been remarkable. But it was no smooth sailing, given the struggles she faced in the early stages of her career. Yep, she had to fight the very system that helped propel her to eventual fame.

Before becoming one of the most successful actors of all time, she fought her way out of an equally glittery cage created by Hollywood’s elite. She navigated the rough industry of the 2000s, which was tougher than anyone could have imagined.

Scarlett Johansson Felt Trapped By Hollywood’s “Bombshell” Image

According to Johansson, the initial success of movies such as ‘Lost in Translation’ (2003) led the entertainment industry to view her through a hypers–ualized lens. Appearing on the ‘Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard‘ podcast in 2022, Scarlett spoke about her struggle with Hollywood typecasting. “I was constantly getting asked to play roles that had to do with who I was physically,” she admitted.

Related: Scarlett Johansson Says Her 9-Year-Old Daughter Rose Is “Too Scared to Watch an Avengers Movie”

At the same time, she felt the industry offered limited opportunities and believed her “bombshell” image might have further restricted her career options. As she explained, many producers believed that she was quite a bit older than she actually was and offered her roles accordingly.

In previous interviews, the actress claimed that the industry bigwigs highly s–ualized in her late teens and early twenties. She added that many Hollywood executives, who did not always offer her interesting roles, influenced this image. They kept casting her in the same roles because they believed that it brought them more profit.

Johansson Sees A Different Industry Than The One She Entered

During her appearance on CBS’s ‘Sunday Morning,’ she explained that Hollywood often critiqued female actors solely for their appearance and what they were wearing at the time. “I feel like women are just being taken apart for their bodies in ways that were socially acceptable at the time, and I think it was very hard,” Johansson stated.

In case you missed it: Scarlett Johansson Says Her 9-Year-Old Daughter Rose Is “Too Scared to Watch an Avengers Movie”

Additionally, she described the period as “really harsh years.” The actress added that executives judged actresses solely on their bodies and appearance. As the years have passed, Johansson believes that Hollywood has changed dramatically in its attitude towards female actors.

At present, she thinks the younger generation of actresses has access to more nuanced roles. This is poles apart from the one-dimensional characters that once dominated Hollywood. Her own career reflects that shift, as she eventually moved beyond the image that once threatened to define her by taking on acclaimed performances in films such as ‘Her‘ and ‘Under the Skin.’

You might also like to read: Scarlett Johansson Found Herself On The Card Of A Mexican Sex Shop Without Her Consent. Here’s How She Reacted