Scarlett Johansson Opens Up About Her ‘Eleanor the Great’ Film: What She Learned Behind the Camera!

Scarlett Johansson is set to step behind the camera for her first full-length directorial project, Eleanor the Great, starring June Squibb and Chiwetel Ejiofor. In a recent interview with InStyle, the two-time Oscar nominee opened up about the creative influences and challenges that shaped her filmmaking debut.

“It’s like a little gem,” Johansson said of the film, which was penned by screenwriter Tony Kamen and produced through her company, These Pictures. She revealed that the movie is a passion project, inspired by the independent films she admired while growing up—titles from the mid-1980s to early 2000s that left a lasting impression on her. “Living Out Loud. Crossing Delancey. Moonstruck,” she noted, referencing some of her favorite character-driven dramas and romantic comedies.

Although she has spent over 30 years in the industry as an actress, Johansson described how embarking on this new creative path brought a fresh sense of excitement. “When I would get home from work, I would say to (husband) Colin (Jost), ‘You know, it’s so exciting to be 40 and learn a new thing. Now I know how to make a movie like this. I know how to finish it,’” she said.

Johansson shared that learning technical elements like sound mixing, coloring, and editing gave her a newfound appreciation for filmmaking. “I didn’t know that before. And now I know how to do it,” she added, reflecting on the fulfillment that came with stepping into a director’s role.

Eleanor the Great marks Johansson’s first time in the director’s chair since her short film These Vagabond Shoes in 2009, signaling a major milestone in her career. For Johansson, this project is not just about realizing a long-held dream—it’s about building on her rich cinematic legacy while taking her artistry to new heights.