Multi-billion superstar: how Scarlett Johansson became the undisputed queen of the box office
Above The ensemble 'Avengers' films generated a combined US$7.7 billion worldwide.
The four core Avengers films represent the monumental bedrock of Scarlett Johansson's box office supremacy. From the groundbreaking original assembly in 2012 to the epic conclusion of Endgame in 2019, these ensemble blockbusters generated a combined US$7.7 billion worldwide. As one of the original six Avengers, Johansson's Black Widow served as the emotional anchor and pragmatic conscience of the team, making her indispensable to the franchise's success. 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' (2014) – US$714M
Above The spy thriller elevated Johansson from supporting player to true co-lead.
More than just another Marvel instalment, this critically acclaimed spy thriller elevated Johansson from supporting player to true co-lead. Her chemistry with Chris Evans's Captain America became a fan-favourite dynamic, while the film's gritty, 1970s-inspired aesthetic showcased her dramatic range. The US$714 million global gross proved that audiences were hungry for more Black Widow, fuelling demands for her solo film. 'Lucy' (2014) - US$457M
Above 'Lucy' became a box office phenomenon, grossing over 11 times its US$40 million budget.
This Luc Besson sci-fi thriller stands as the definitive proof of Scarlett Johansson's solo star power. Built around an original, R-rated concept with no pre-existing fanbase, Lucy became a genuine box office phenomenon, grossing over 11 times its US$40 million budget. Johansson's transformation from terrified student to omnipotent being captivated global audiences, demonstrating her ability to lead a blockbuster without franchise support.
Don't miss: Female action heroes: 8 women who redefined courage long before 'Ballerina' pirouetted in 'Captain America: Civil War' (2016) – US$1.15B
Above In 'Captain America: Civil War', Johansson's Black Widow navigated the treacherous waters between her found family.
This billion-dollar behemoth placed Johansson's character at the ideological centre of the Avengers's most personal conflict. As the team fractured along moral lines, Black Widow navigated the treacherous waters between her found family, showcasing the emotional intelligence that made her irreplaceable. 'The Jungle Book' (2016) – US$951M
Above Johansson's distinctive, husky voice proved bankable in 'The Jungle Book'.
Johansson's distinctive, husky voice proved equally bankable as her physical presence in Disney's photorealistic adaptation. Voicing the hypnotic python Kaa, she brought menacing allure to the classic villain, contributing to the film's nearly US$1 billion global success. This performance showed that her appeal goes beyond traditional leading roles, extending her marketability into lucrative family films. 'Sing' (2016) – US$631M
Above In this animated musical, Johansson voiced a prickly teenage porcupine.
In Illumination's original animated musical, Johansson voiced Ash, a prickly teenage porcupine with punk-rock sensibilities. The film's US$631 million global success further proved her versatility and broad appeal beyond the MCU. Her ability to breathe life into animated characters showcased yet another dimension of her star power, appealing to audiences across all demographics. 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' (2025) – $322M and climbing
Above The film's US$322 million global opening provided the push that crowned Johansson as the highest-grossing leading actor of all time.
The coronation film that officially secured Scarlett Johansson's throne arrived with prehistoric force. Her decade-long pursuit of a role in the Jurassic franchise culminated in portraying Zora Bennett, an ex-military specialist. The film's massive US$322 million global opening provided the final push that crowned her the highest-grossing leading actor of all time, proving her lasting star power in Hollywood.
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Tatler Asia
6 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Movie review: Danny Boyle's ‘28 Years Later' redefines the zombie genre anew
Above We're introduced to Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his son Spike (Alfie Williams) Here, civilisation has adapted in curious ways. Education has shifted from algebra and history to archery, surveillance duty at the watch tower and foraging. We're introduced to Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his son Spike (Alfie Williams) on what the father dubs the boy's 'big day': his first time outside the camp. Spike is only 12—two years shy of the island's mandated age for venturing beyond the barricades—but Jamie, with defiant parental pride, defies the rules. He even gifts his son a rare strip of bacon, a delicacy in this world. Jodie Comer delivers a sharp, brittle performance as Isla, Spike's mother, who is suffering from a mysterious sickness that's left her increasingly disoriented. She opposes the mission with ferocity, at one point branding her husband a 'child murderer' for dragging their son into danger. Yet the boy, deeply devoted to his ailing mother, lies and says he is just going to school. He also tucks away the prized bacon to give to her later. Outside the safety of their community, Spike begins to grasp the brutal reality beyond their island: betrayal, cruelty and unspeakable violence, often perpetrated by the living rather than the undead. The infected themselves have changed, too. Boyle offers up a grotesque variety—some feral and unclothed, others bloated, some crawling on all fours, feeding on worms. It's not just a new generation of zombies; it's an evolution. Spike's first venture beyond their fortress mirrors the audience's own experience, as we too are seeing for the first time what has become of Boyle's world years after the last outbreak. Related: Can Disney's 'Snow White' heal your inner child? Above Spike's first venture beyond their fortress mirrors the audience's own experience Enter the 'Alpha': a towering figure who decapitates his prey. This new leader of the infected is not only powerful but calculating, a stark departure from the mindless mobs of previous instalments. His behaviour suggests strategic awareness, including the ability to navigate the tides and pursue prey back to the island. Amongst these discoveries, Spike glimpses a distant campfire and inquires after its owner. Jamie tells him it belongs to a doctor, a figure who may hold the key to his mother's recovery. The revelation plants a seed in the boy's mind. Above Unlike its predecessors, '28 Years Later' is not content to be merely a horror film. Back on the island, their return is marked by a celebratory feast. But tension simmers when Spike catches his father with another woman. The next morning, they clash, with the latter accusing his father of withholding the doctor's whereabouts to preserve his newfound relationship. Fuelled by heartbreak and resolve, Spike takes drastic action. He distracts the guards, evades the watchtower and leads his confused mother off the island, determined to seek the estranged doctor himself. Their escape leads them to a gasoline station shrouded in toxic fumes, where they're rescued by Erik (Edvin Ryding), a Navy officer stationed in the region. From here, the narrative takes a slight tonal detour, drifting into light-hearted exchanges between Erik—who casually references WiFi access and flashes a working smartphone—and Spike, who is utterly bewildered by such foreign concepts. See also: On feminist approach: A review of Yorgos Lanthimo's 'Poor Things' Above Erik (Edvin Ryding), a Navy officer The humour gives the film some breathing room, offering the occasional laugh, but at times feels like it's cutting through the tension rather than complementing it. For a while, it's genuinely fun, but the tone starts to wobble, and things begin to feel a little disjointed. One moment, in particular, stands out for all the wrong reasons. Erik shows Spike a photo of his girlfriend, only for the script to mock her appearance, hinting at cosmetic surgery with a not-so-subtle jab. It's meant to be a joke, but instead comes off as oddly mean-spirited, especially when directed at a woman. Later on, Erik joins Spike and Isla on their journey, travelling through an abandoned train carriage. It's here that things take a darker turn. Isla spots a female infected who appears to be in labour. Tensions flare when Erik demands the baby be abandoned, convinced it's also carrying the virus. The shouting attracts the Alpha, who bursts in and, in a shockingly swift moment, decapitates Erik. What follows is a frantic chase, with Isla, Spike and the newborn fleeing through the wreckage. Just when all hope seems lost, the mysterious doctor finally makes his appearance. He's covered in iodine—apparently the virus can't stand the stuff—and manages to tranquilise the Alpha just in time. 'Memento Mori' Above Dr Ian Kelson honours the dead in '28 Years Later' Above Dr Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) in '28 Years Later' Dr Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) offers a warm and comforting presence amid the film. Upon examining the newborn—uninfected despite being born of the infected—he theorises that the infected mother's placenta may have acted as a barrier, shielding the infant from the virus. It offers a flicker of hope for a potential cure in the future instalments. Much like The Last of Us , where Ellie's immunity is traced back to the circumstances of her birth, this subtle nod to scientific possibility adds a layer of intrigue. Back at his camp, Dr Kelson performs a solemn ritual. He cremates Erik's body, but not before salvaging the skull. The fires that have long burned in the distance are not fuelled by destruction, but by reverence. The doctor collects skulls—infected or not—as a way of honouring those lost. Here, he speaks to Spike about the philosophy of memento mori —'remember that you must die,' a reminder that mortality, far from diminishing life's value, gives it weight and urgency. It's a moment of unexpected stillness, deepened by the revelation that Isla is terminally ill, her mind failing due to a cancerous brain tumour. Above Dr Ian Kelson, Isla with the baby and Spike Above Jodie Comer delivers a sharp, brittle performance as Isla, Spike's mother, who is suffering from a mysterious sickness that's left her increasingly disoriented. Overwhelmed by grief and helplessness, Spike lashes out, unable to accept that nothing more can be done. Kelson sedates him, gently guiding the boy into a dreamlike flashback of better times: he and his mother, together and embracing. The doctor whispers a quiet counterpoint— memento vivere —'remember to live.' It's a moment that lands with emotional heft, a tender reminder that love and memory endure, even as life fades. Kelson later euthanises Isla and adds her skull to his growing shrine. He invites Spike to choose her resting place. The boy places it atop the skeletal tree, where it faces the morning light. In the film's closing moments, Spike returns to the settlement alone, carrying the newborn child. In a handwritten note, he reveals the infant's origin. He asks that she be named 'Isla,' in tribute to the mother he lost, and the hope that may yet survive her. Read also : Does Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch' live-action remake do justice to the original? The Final Bite Above Tension builds in Danny Boyle's '28 Years later' It's almost impossible not to hold this third instalment up against its lauded forerunners. Unlike its predecessors, 28 Years Later is not content to be merely a horror film. There are philosophical undercurrents, moments of lyrical tenderness and yes, awkward attempts at humour. Boyle's return to the franchise offers a bold but bumpy comeback…depending on your appetite for 'genre-bending'. The infected have evolved, no longer the mindless aggressors we once knew. These creatures display social organisation and even hygiene. They bathe, breed and have begun constructing a primitive society. What made the zombie genre so darkly entertaining in the first place was its moral simplicity—you killed the infected without a second thought. Those guilt-free, head-smashing thrills are gone. Instead, the film quietly challenges our appetite for violent spectacle. Related : 'Hello, Love, Again' shows us the struggles of being an OFW under the backdrop of a love story Above The zombies are seemingly sentient in '28 Years Later' The cinematography is starkly beautiful, the performances are firmly grounded and the soundtrack fits each scene perfectly. Yet, there's a nagging feeling that something crucial has slipped through the cracks. The raw terror, the primal adrenaline rush, the straightforward satisfaction of a well-timed zombie kill. The film could have also done more with its setting, which too often drifts into sprawling forests that take up nearly 60 per cent of the screen time, rather than embracing the gritty post-apocalyptic feel fans might expect. The introduction of an 'Alpha' who is eerily intelligent and disturbingly human forces viewers into an unexpected moral dilemma, yet it holds the promise of reshaping the zombie genre for another 20 years. The question is, is it still entertainment when the undead become sentient? NOW READ 'A Minecraft Movie': when a video game adaptation gets it right 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' is one last blaze of glory How to build an apocalypse-ready home: 5 essential design strategies for disaster resilience Credits Images: Columbia Pictures
Tatler Asia
6 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Multi-billion superstar: how Scarlett Johansson became the undisputed queen of the box office
'The Avengers' movies (2012 to 2019) – US$7.7B Above The ensemble 'Avengers' films generated a combined US$7.7 billion worldwide. The four core Avengers films represent the monumental bedrock of Scarlett Johansson's box office supremacy. From the groundbreaking original assembly in 2012 to the epic conclusion of Endgame in 2019, these ensemble blockbusters generated a combined US$7.7 billion worldwide. As one of the original six Avengers, Johansson's Black Widow served as the emotional anchor and pragmatic conscience of the team, making her indispensable to the franchise's success. 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' (2014) – US$714M Above The spy thriller elevated Johansson from supporting player to true co-lead. More than just another Marvel instalment, this critically acclaimed spy thriller elevated Johansson from supporting player to true co-lead. Her chemistry with Chris Evans's Captain America became a fan-favourite dynamic, while the film's gritty, 1970s-inspired aesthetic showcased her dramatic range. The US$714 million global gross proved that audiences were hungry for more Black Widow, fuelling demands for her solo film. 'Lucy' (2014) - US$457M Above 'Lucy' became a box office phenomenon, grossing over 11 times its US$40 million budget. This Luc Besson sci-fi thriller stands as the definitive proof of Scarlett Johansson's solo star power. Built around an original, R-rated concept with no pre-existing fanbase, Lucy became a genuine box office phenomenon, grossing over 11 times its US$40 million budget. Johansson's transformation from terrified student to omnipotent being captivated global audiences, demonstrating her ability to lead a blockbuster without franchise support. Don't miss: Female action heroes: 8 women who redefined courage long before 'Ballerina' pirouetted in 'Captain America: Civil War' (2016) – US$1.15B Above In 'Captain America: Civil War', Johansson's Black Widow navigated the treacherous waters between her found family. This billion-dollar behemoth placed Johansson's character at the ideological centre of the Avengers's most personal conflict. As the team fractured along moral lines, Black Widow navigated the treacherous waters between her found family, showcasing the emotional intelligence that made her irreplaceable. 'The Jungle Book' (2016) – US$951M Above Johansson's distinctive, husky voice proved bankable in 'The Jungle Book'. Johansson's distinctive, husky voice proved equally bankable as her physical presence in Disney's photorealistic adaptation. Voicing the hypnotic python Kaa, she brought menacing allure to the classic villain, contributing to the film's nearly US$1 billion global success. This performance showed that her appeal goes beyond traditional leading roles, extending her marketability into lucrative family films. 'Sing' (2016) – US$631M Above In this animated musical, Johansson voiced a prickly teenage porcupine. In Illumination's original animated musical, Johansson voiced Ash, a prickly teenage porcupine with punk-rock sensibilities. The film's US$631 million global success further proved her versatility and broad appeal beyond the MCU. Her ability to breathe life into animated characters showcased yet another dimension of her star power, appealing to audiences across all demographics. 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' (2025) – $322M and climbing Above The film's US$322 million global opening provided the push that crowned Johansson as the highest-grossing leading actor of all time. The coronation film that officially secured Scarlett Johansson's throne arrived with prehistoric force. Her decade-long pursuit of a role in the Jurassic franchise culminated in portraying Zora Bennett, an ex-military specialist. The film's massive US$322 million global opening provided the final push that crowned her the highest-grossing leading actor of all time, proving her lasting star power in Hollywood. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
Tatler Asia
25-06-2025
- Tatler Asia
Labubu, sneakers and vintage Dior: where Gen Z are putting their money now
2. Sneakers, the original alt asset Long before NFTs, sneakers were the first major 'hype' asset class for digitally savvy young investors. Limited-edition pairs, especially those tied to basketball icons or high-fashion collaborators, can appreciate significantly post-release. A pair of Travis Scott x Nike Jordans, for instance, can triple in value within weeks if kept box-fresh. Gen Z investors not only wear the shoes but treat them as appreciating assets, storing them in climate-controlled boxes, tracking their value through selling apps and flipping them strategically. The rise of sneaker auctions at major houses like Sotheby's and Christie's further legitimises the category—no longer subcultural, it's big business. 3. K-pop photocards and idol merch Photocards, those glossy, wallet-sized portraits included in K-pop albums, have evolved into a bona fide investment category. A rare Jungkook photocard from a 2019 BTS fan meeting can fetch over US$1,000, especially if it's an out-of-print or Japan-only release. Fans track card values through detailed spreadsheets, monitor scarcity in real time and negotiate trades in Discord servers and Twitter threads. Official merch collaborations (like the Starbucks x Blackpink collection) also sell out within hours and appear immediately on resale platforms. For some, it's about emotional connection; for others, it's high-speed arbitrage with a fandom twist. Now read: Chasing K-pop dreams: must-visit spots in Seoul for superfans 4. Digital collectables and NFTs While the 2021 NFT boom has cooled, Gen Z isn't entirely out of the digital collectables game. What's changed is the criteria: aesthetic-driven 'PFP' projects are out, and utility-driven tokens are in. NFTs tied to exclusive event access, gaming perks or digital identity verification are gaining traction. Platforms like Zora, and even Nike's .SWOOSH are launching Web3 projects that combine collectability with tangible value. Still, risks remain high—rug pulls and overpromises are common, and liquidity can disappear overnight. Gen Z investors navigating this space are savvier now: they're asking about roadmap execution and community governance, not just hype. 5. Designer resale and vintage luxe Luxury fashion has become another investment frontier for Gen Z. Instead of buying new, many scour platforms like The RealReal, Grailed and Vestiaire Collective for vintage or archival pieces with appreciating value. A 2000s-era Dior Saddle bag or a rare Rick Owens jacket can generate significant profit if resold at the right time. TikTok trends can trigger sudden spikes in demand, so investors monitor what's gaining traction and act fast. Increasingly, they're blending fashion knowledge with financial literacy, seeing fashion not just as personal expression but portfolio diversification. Items are tracked, appraised and even insured—just like any other asset. In case you missed it: Is your designer bag verified? The Digital Product Passport is the smart tech redefining authentic luxury For Gen Z, investing isn't just about compound interest or retirement planning—it's about identity, community and access. And for now, a Labubu on a shelf isn't just decoration, but part of the strategy. NOW READ 9 mental health non-fiction books that will transform your understanding of yourself 8 beauty products that double as bag charms 11 animal design objects: From Bottega Veneta to vintage collectibles
