‘Paper Tiger’ Star Scarlett Johansson Exits Ridley Scott Film Over Funding Concerns

Scarlett Johansson is well-known for her strong convictions, and the industry has often recognized her for this. When Disney shifted ‘Black Widow’ to streaming, she took legal action against the studio, claiming her contract stipulated an exclusive theatrical release and that the change would cost her millions in backend earnings. Ultimately, she received what she sought.

However, not every decision has been as straightforward. Her casting as a transgender man in ‘Rub & Tug’ faced intense backlash upon its announcement on July 2, leading her to withdraw from the project. Prior to that, she encountered criticism for her role in ‘Ghost in the Shell,’ which grossed only $40 million domestically against a reported budget of $110 million.

There is one particular project that she reportedly abandoned without hesitation. Far Out Magazine recently revisited this story. The film was a biopic about a real-life photojournalist directed by Ridley Scott, and the issue was not the script or the role but rather the potential funding source.

The project was picked up by Warner Bros. with Scott attached, and it seemed like a strong contender for awards season. It focused on the life of Lynsey Addario, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist whose work highlights conflicts in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, particularly their impact on women. However, when Johansson learned that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman might be involved as a financial backer, she withdrew immediately.

This story first emerged in 2018 when Addario discussed it during a Facebook Live interview with New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof. She mentioned that the film was on the verge of production when Johansson discovered the prince’s potential involvement. His interest had begun during a Hollywood publicity tour months earlier, and Johansson’s refusal came before the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi made headlines.

According to Addario, Johansson acted without hesitation. She cited the war in Yemen and the imprisonment of women as her reasons. Even though the prince was not directly involved at the time she spoke to the producers, his name alone was sufficient to halt the project.

Addario expressed relief over Johansson’s decision. Although she had never met bin Salman, she did not want him associated with a film about her work.

The repercussions were significant. Following Johansson’s exit, the planned biopic fell apart and has yet to be produced, either with her or anyone else. Koimoi reports that the studio shelved the project, and neither Scott nor Johansson has commented on it.

Financing has also been a contentious issue for Johansson in other instances. When she made her directorial debut with ‘Eleanor the Great,’ a financial backer withdrew after she refused to alter the film’s Holocaust-related storyline. This backer took a substantial portion of the budget with them, but Sony Pictures Classics stepped in as distributor to cover the shortfall.

These instances collectively illustrate a consistent pattern. Johansson has repeatedly demonstrated her willingness to forfeit a project or part of its funding rather than compromise on its principles. Regardless of whether fans agree with every decision, they can be assured of her stance.

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