Scarlett Johansson, renowned as one of Hollywood’s Sexiest Women Alive, has not only captivated audiences with her stunning looks but has also proven her mettle as a versatile and talented actress. However, her journey to box office triumph was not without its share of challenges.
In a surprising turn of events, Johansson faced career hurdles before emerging victorious, even surpassing the likes of industry heavyweight Robert Downey Jr.
Scarlett Johansson Got the Better of Career Challenges
Scarlett Johansson’s early years of career were marked by struggles to find roles that truly showcased her talent and range. Despite her undeniable screen presence, Johansson faced the all-too-common typecasting that often plagues young actors in the industry.
Amidst the challenges, Scarlett Johansson found her turning point with the critically acclaimed film Lost in Translation (2003), directed by Sofia Coppola. The film not only showcased Johansson’s acting prowess but also earned her widespread acclaim.
Her dedication paid off, and she eventually landed the role of Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The MCU proved to be a turning point for Johansson’s career. Her portrayal of Black Widow was widely praised, and she quickly became a fan favorite. The MCU films were also box office juggernauts, with Avengers: Endgame (2019) becoming the highest-grossing film of all time.
She once talked about her early days when she was constantly rejected from movie roles. The actress told Parade:
“Since a very young age, I’ve been rejected constantly. When people starting out ask me for advice, I always say to stay open-minded, because you never know. I’ve never felt that I had both feet out, you know? I never imagined having another career, but there were definitely times when I felt like I should try something else in the industry.”
In addition to her MCU work, Johansson has continued to take on diverse and challenging roles. She has starred in critically acclaimed films such as Under the Skin (2013), Her (2013), and Jojo Rabbit (2019). All these further cemented her status as a box office heavyweight and one of the most bankable stars in the industry.
She Has Beaten Robert Downey Jr. in the Box Office in the Highest-Grossing Leading Roles and Lead Ensemble Roles Category
While Robert Downey Jr. had long been considered a box office juggernaut, Scarlett Johansson has beaten him in this category of highest-grossing leading roles.
While Johansson’s movies have earned $14.9 billion till date, Robert Downey Jr. trails by little margin as his movies managed to earn $14.8 billion so far.
Iron Man 2 featuring Johansson made $624 million gross. Avengers, which was made at a budget of $220 million grossed $1.52 billion. Captain America: The Winter Soldier took home $714 million gross. The number for Avengers: Age of Ultron is also high as it grossed $1.4 billion.
Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War made $1.15 billion and $2.05 billion respectively. And Avengers: Endgame has surpassed everyone to become the highest-grossing film of all time, having earned $2.8 billion at the global box office.
It makes a significant statement in Johansson’s career, proving that she had not only overcome early career challenges but had also surpassed one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
