Latest news with #womenInFilm
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Scarlett Johansson Recalls 'A Lot' Of Female Roles Centering 'Male Gaze' Early In Her Career
From her child actor beginnings to her MCU days and beyond, Scarlett Johansson has noticed a shift in Hollywood for women. The 2x Oscar nominee recently explained that some of the onscreen opportunities she's seen in recent years have represented 'a different time for young women' in the industry, moving away from roles that center the male gaze. More from Deadline Scarlett Johansson Gives 'Tower of Terror' Update: 'Hard Nut To Crack' Scarlett Johansson's Directorial Debut 'Eleanor The Great': Watch Exclusive First-Look Clip 'Eleanor The Great' Scribe Tory Kamen Hosts First Writer-Focused 'Deadline Dinners' Event: "I Wanted A Community Of People I Could Relate To" 'The messaging is different — there are many more role models, women are visible in powerful positions and the opportunities I have had to play women who don't have to just be one thing or another have increased,' she told The Times. 'But when I was younger, a lot of the roles I was offered, or I went for, had their ambitions or character arcs revolving around their own desirability, or the male gaze, or a male-centred story,' added Johansson. 'That is less frequent, though — something has shifted.' Johansson made her film debut at age 9 in North (1994), having since starred in such films as The Horse Whisperer (1998), Ghost World (2001), Lost in Translation (2003) and her decade-long run in the MCU that culminated with her solo outing in 2021's Black Widow. The actress can currently be seen in Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme, now in theaters, as well as Jurassic World Rebirth, premiering July 2. She also made her feature directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, which had its world premiere last month at Cannes. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I no longer get roles just because I am desirable, says Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson has revealed that she is no longer offered roles solely because she is considered 'desirable'. The Lost in Translation star revealed that she was offered a string of rom-coms, such as He's Just Not That into You (2009), where only sex appeal was required – something she described as 'deeply unfulfilling'. However, in an interview with the Sunday Times magazine reflecting on how her career has changed, the 39-year-old actress said: 'The messaging is different.' She explained: 'There are many more role models, women are visible in powerful positions, and the opportunities I have had to play women who don't have to just be one thing or another have increased. 'But when I was younger, a lot of the roles I was offered, or I went for, had their ambitions or character arcs revolving around their own desirability, or the male gaze, or a male-centred story. 'That is less frequent, though something has shifted.' Johansson, who starred as Black Widow in nine Marvel films, said that in the early stages of 'responsibility then was just to be productive' in the early stages of her career. The actress added: 'Trying to maintain the momentum of my career and wait for things that felt right. And that is hard because there is an existential angst that comes with waiting, but I had to allow space for the creative process to do its thing. 'It was nerve-racking. I'm in a business where you feel like, at any moment, you'll become irrelevant. But I think it pays of – I know it does.' When asked how she stays motivated during her career, she said: 'There are just so many things that I imagine doing. 'I'd love to do more theatre, a film with a musical element. A horror.' Johansson also said that she looked up to Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock and Indiana Jones star Harrison Ford when she was younger. She said of Ford: 'He seems so shy and reserved, a private person. But he is also so photogenic, his shyness is revealed through a little twinkle in his eye, his vulnerability shines through. 'Some people just have that star quality.' It comes as Jurassic World: Rebirth, which stars Johansson as Zora Bennett, who leads a team that wants to extract blood from dinosaur hearts in search of a cure for human heart disease, is set to be released this week. Johansson said she is an original Jurassic Park fan and recalled: 'I was blown away as a kid.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
I no longer get roles just because I am desirable, says Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson has revealed that she is no longer offered roles solely because she is considered 'desirable'. The Lost in Translation star revealed that she was offered a string of rom-coms, such as He's Just Not That into You (2009), where only sex appeal was required – something she described as 'deeply unfulfilling'. However, in an interview with the Sunday Times magazine reflecting on how her career has changed, the 39-year-old actress said: 'The messaging is different.' She explained: 'There are many more role models, women are visible in powerful positions, and the opportunities I have had to play women who don't have to just be one thing or another have increased. 'But when I was younger, a lot of the roles I was offered, or I went for, had their ambitions or character arcs revolving around their own desirability, or the male gaze, or a male-centred story. 'That is less frequent, though something has shifted.' Johansson, who starred as Black Widow in nine Marvel films, said that in the early stages of 'responsibility then was just to be productive' in the early stages of her career. The actress added: 'Trying to maintain the momentum of my career and wait for things that felt right. And that is hard because there is an existential angst that comes with waiting, but I had to allow space for the creative process to do its thing. 'It was nerve-racking. I'm in a business where you feel like, at any moment, you'll become irrelevant. But I think it pays of – I know it does.' When asked how she stays motivated during her career, she said: 'There are just so many things that I imagine doing. 'I'd love to do more theatre, a film with a musical element. A horror.' Johansson also said that she looked up to Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock and Indiana Jones star Harrison Ford when she was younger. She said of Ford: 'He seems so shy and reserved, a private person. But he is also so photogenic, his shyness is revealed through a little twinkle in his eye, his vulnerability shines through. 'Some people just have that star quality.' It comes as Jurassic World: Rebirth, which stars Johansson as Zora Bennett, who leads a team that wants to extract blood from dinosaur hearts in search of a cure for human heart disease, is set to be released this week. Johansson said she is an original Jurassic Park fan and recalled: 'I was blown away as a kid.'
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kevin Costner talks about working with women after being sued by Horizon stunt double over 'unscripted' rape scene
Kevin Costner has opened up about working with women weeks after being sued by a stunt double in his latest film Horizon over a 'violent and unscripted' rape scene. The 70-year-old star appeared for a Q&A with Michael Strahan at Fanatics Fest in New York City on Friday. He was asked by the 53-year-old Good Morning America host how he has been able to work romantic storylines into his sports and western films. Costner even mentioned the film at the center of his recent lawsuit as he responded: 'But movies for me, you just can't have a movie without having a girl. And these movies, even in my westerns when I did Horizon, it's dominated by women. 'It's just dominated by, and I just think they made for the best movies, the games we play and the professional athletes, it is a three hour day for them.' He went on to say that when it came to the sports movies that he's done, often times the lives of his characters off the field were more captivating than on the field. Costner explained: 'They basically practice the entire year, but they have these lives outside the lines of what they play. And that's where a lot of drama takes place. 'And I think in the sports movies, I think I've always felt the need to have women.' His comments came just weeks after he found himself in a legal battle as a female stunt double that worked on his $100million Western epic Horizon has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him and the film's producers. Devyn LaBella alleges that she was subjected to an unscripted rape scene without notice on the set of the second and final Horizon film — Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 — in May 2023. According to court docs obtained by LaBella filed her lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, claiming that she 'was the victim of a violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner.' LaBella — who was hired as a stunt double for lead actress Ella Hunt — claimed to have never consented to the alleged scene, which she says left her with 'permanent trauma,' and that there was no intimacy coordinator present. The outlet reports that LaBella is 'suing for an undisclosed amount and wants a trial by jury.' Costner's attorney Marty Singer slammed LaBella as a 'serial accuser' as he vehemently denied her claims, which he insisted have 'absolutely no merit,' in a statement. He said that Costner 'always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.' Singer, who accused LaBella of 'shakedown tactics,' also alleged that she had approved and rehearsed the scene with another actor prior to filming. He also claimed she was in 'good spirits' afterwards and had expressed gratitude for the opportunity via text to Horizon's stunt coordinator. In one alleged text, which was shared with PEOPLE, LaBella reportedly sent cartwheel and heart hand emojis to the stunt coordinator. Singer concluded: 'The facts are clear and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail.' In LaBella's suit filed Tuesday, the stuntwoman claimed that she was hired on for part two of Horizon as Ella Hunt's stunt double. As per the SAG agreement, LaBella was to stand-in for the actress 'during physical scenes,' as well as for any stunts. According to LaBella's complaint, any 'last minute requests for nudity or simulated sex' are not allowed by SAG and the film's producers are expected to give 48-hours notice of any changes. The performer's permission is also required when it comes to any changes related to intimate scenes. It was also claimed that having a 'coordinator for all intimacy scenes' was a requirement noted in Hunt's contract. Weeks into filming and 'without incident,' LaBella was told to stand-in for Hunt during a 'scripted, aggressive and intimate rape scene' due to its 'physical nature.' Devyn LaBella alleges that she was subjected to an unscripted rape scene without notice on the set of the second and final Horizon film — Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 — in May 2023 The scene was between Hunt's character Juliette and a male character Sig, played by actor Douglas Smith, and it was filmed on May 1, 2023, according to the lawsuit. The scene reportedly 'wrapped' with 'no issues' following multiple takes. One day later, LaBella — whose credits include Barbie (2023) and FX's American Horror Stories — alleged that she returned to the set of Horizon 2 for a 'non-intimate scene.' But LaBella claimed that director Costner, who was allegedly on set that day, had added in a scene where a different male character, played by Roger Ivens, sexually assaults Hunt's Juliette. Costner allegedly directed Ivens to 'climb on top of Ms. Hunt, violently raking up her skirt.' LaBella, who insists in her lawsuit that the scene was not listed on that day's call sheet, was allegedly asked by Costner to 'stand in' for Hunt 'without proper notice, consent, preparation, or appropriate safeguard measures in place.' She claimed that such a request 'was not within the scope of her role as a stunt double.' LaBella also alleged that she was unaware that Hunt herself had refused to do the scene — and that the actress had allegedly even gone as far as to walk off set. LaBella said her consent was not given to go through with the scene as she claimed it differed greatly from the rape scene shot on May 1, 2023, which had been choreographed, etc. Adding to her discomfort was the film's alleged open set, which would have allowed 'anyone' to walk on set and 'observe the scene being performed.' LaBella claimed that Costner did not call out 'action' or 'cut' during the scene, which meant she wasn't aware when it began or ended. She further alleged that neither the film's stunt coordinator or the intimacy coordinator were present during the filming of the impromptu scene or informed it was happening. The impact of the scene took a toll on LaBella, according to her lawsuit, as she allegedly broke down and experienced 'reminders of shame, humiliation and complete lack of control.' LaBella claimed that it was 'awkward' when she returned to set after taking several days off and that she was allegedly told to stay off set and remain in her trailer alone. She also claimed that those involved in the production 'made excuses' for Costner throughout the remainder of the shoot. LaBella claims that the onset incident has left her 'with permanent trauma that she will be required to address for years to come.' She said she began suffering from 'sleep disturbance, fears of intimacy' and 'anxiety,' which drove her to seek the help of a therapist in June 2023. 'On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism. What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry,' she shared in a statement to PEOPLE on Tuesday. 'As I continue performing and step into my journey of stunt coordination, I operate with a fierce commitment to upholding the highest standards, creating sets where safety, communication, and consent are non-negotiable. 'This experience has ignited in me a lifelong mission to be the advocate I once needed, ensuring no one else is ever left as vulnerable as I was.' LaBella's attorney James A. Vagnini called the lawsuit 'emblematic of what is still a very deep rooted issue in Hollywood.' LaBella's other attorney Kate McFarlane added that the 'case is a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production. 'Our client was subjected to brutal sexual conduct completely unprotected from the obvious harm. This happened despite the fact that there exists standards of conduct and behavior specifically designed to protect people like Devyn LaBella,' McFarlane concluded.
Vogue
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Women by Women: A Shared Vision: Girls in Film
eWhat conversations do you feel we need to have more often when it comes to women in the creative field? It's always important to keep intersectionality at the forefront of our minds when pushing for representation in one aspect or another. Not everyone's experiences are the same and not everyone's struggles are equal. Listen to your fellow filmmakers and make space for everyone to speak. We need to continue to platform global majority artists, and put pressure on institutions to do the same. We need to continue to find ways for working class artists to access an industry that is very heavily weighted towards those from more privileged backgrounds. We need to find ways for parents to continue their roles in an industry that is very much built around the traditional male existence. Your work highlights underrepresented voices, both in front of and behind the camera. Since the beginning of your project, what challenges have persisted—and what positive changes have you seen emerge? In the years following GiF's inception, opportunities for female, trans and non-binary talent grew significantly. There was a real focus on equal opportunities & conversations about representation were loud. In recent years, with budgets shrinking across the board - both commercially and institutionally, due to factors like Brexit in the UK and the rise of TikTok and lower end social content (no shade on TikTok though), we've felt a shift back to old thinking when it comes to awarding jobs to directors & representation on commercial rosters. Change isn't a fad and needs to be upheld by the industry, even when the industry itself feels under threat, because embracing change is the only way the industry will survive.
