Scarlett Johansson Was Offered ‘Sex Object’ Roles ‘For Years’ After ‘Lost in Translation,’ Says Bill Murray Was in a ‘Hard Place’ on Set: ‘Life Has Humbled Him’ Now

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In an interview with Vanity Fair, Scarlett Johansson recalled that her career was often limited to “sex symbol” roles following the acclaimed success of Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film “Lost in Translation,” where she played a character alongside Bill Murray at just 17 years old.

Following ‘Lost in Translation,’ I was consistently presented with roles labeled as ‘the girlfriend,’ ‘the other woman,’ or a sex symbol. I seemed stuck in this pattern,” Johansson explained. “It felt like my acting identity had been narrowed down to these types of characters, and there wasn’t much creative freedom for me.

Johansson stated that her agents during that period didn’t assist her in avoiding such roles, as they were simply following the norm. The entertainment industry had functioned this way for a long time.

Johansson pointed out that her agents back then did not support her efforts to steer clear of these specific roles because they were adhering to the standard practice. The movie industry has been operating like that for ages.

As you embrace your sexuality and sense of attractiveness as part of maturing, it’s thrilling to bloom into who you truly are,” I expressed. “You’re wearing the clothes that suit you, you’re being authentic, then there comes a moment when you look around and feel like, ‘Hold on, I seem to be…’ – I wouldn’t say exploited, as it carries such a strong connotation. It was more like an uncomfortable sensation of being used or taken advantage of.

In the movie “Lost in Translation,” Murray portrays a once-prominent actor grappling with his declining career in Tokyo. He strikes up a friendship with Johansson’s character, a recent college graduate going through a personal crisis. When asked about the production, Johansson shared that Murray was experiencing some difficulties during filming, stating, “Bill found himself in a challenging situation.” She further explained that everyone on set, including the director and the entire crew, were concerned about him because he was dealing with his own issues at the time.

Johansson stated that she hadn’t collaborated with an actor quite like Murray, in terms of their mental state, prior to this. Earlier this year, they crossed paths backstage during “SNL50,” and on that occasion, Murray was noticeably more lively.

Johnansson stated that he’s transformed significantly, attributing it to life’s lessons. This transformation, she implied, was partially influenced by his actions during the filming of ‘Being Mortal’ in 2022, which led to the production’s halt. Earlier this year, Murray admitted to giving a woman on set a playful kiss while wearing a mask, despite claiming it was all in good fun.

Indeed, yes, it was truly unfortunate,” Johansson remarked. “I’m aware that COVID-19 posed a significant challenge for him. All these circumstances seem to have culminated in him facing consequences for his actions. Yet, isn’t it amazing that people can transform themselves?

Regarding her time working on “Lost in Translation”, Johansson stated: “I’m quite pleased with how I managed the situation. Essentially, I just focused on doing my job. That approach can be helpful when facing challenges. Keep your sights set on the goal.

Head over to Vanity Fair’s website to read Johansson’s cover story in its entirety.

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2025-05-15 15:16