Key Takeaways:
• Scarlett Johansson faced a daunting challenge to get into shape for her role as Black Widow in the MCU.
• Despite being known for her good looks, the actor wanted to be recognized for her talent rather than her appearance.
• Johansson confessed she had nightmares about fitting into the super tight costume for the character.
• The star shared how she wishes not to be stereotyped based on her looks.
Scarlett Johansson, a Hollywood beauty known for both her acting skills and stunning physique, has faced some intense challenges in maintaining her appearance. This was particularly true when she signed on to play the role of Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a daunting task that saw the celebrity approach the brink of a meltdown.
Her Journey as the Black Widow
Being Black Widow wasn't a walk in the park, and Johansson knew this. She was first introduced to audiences as the character in “Iron Man 2″. Even though she was well-aware of the physical demands, the sight of the form-fitting costume surprised her.
Confessing her reservations and discussion of her strict regimen for the role, she stated, “I knew it was going to be some kind of s*xy unitard because I had looked at the character in the comics. I've never worn anything like it before, so I had a moment of panic that lasted about half a day. But then I said ‘Okay, it's time to be strong', and I went full force into shaping up to wear the costume and perform the physical action to make it look just right.”
While Johansson achieved this excellently for the character, the pressure of sticking to a certain body type or creating stereotypes about how a specific character should look like raises issues in today's cancel culture trend.
S*x Symbol Tag and Her Discomfort With it
Despite being in the best shape of her life as Black Widow, Johansson revealed that looking sensually appealing was not her intention. The star maintained that her good looks played a massive role in her fame, but that wasn't something she aimed for.
In a candid conversation with The Independent, Johansson expressed her dislike for being stereotyped due to her conventional beauty and curvy body, and the kind of roles that came with it. The “Match Point” star said, “I wanted to be a character actor. Those are the actors I mostly admire. I think women that are curvy can be pigeonholed in that bombshell thing. It's not like I actively look for s*xy roles. It's not a requirement that my character be pretty and delicate.”
Continuing her thoughts, Johansson was frank about not opposing s*xy roles if it was woven organically into the script and the character. However, she had problems if her looks determined the types of roles she was offered.
In a nutshell, the journey hasn't been easy for Johansson, but her passion and dedication persevere. Despite the struggles on the road, she delivered an excellent performance as Black Widow, adding another feather to her cap. It signifies that appearances and stereotypes don't exactly define an actor; instead, it's their talent, resilience, and spirit.
