Why Scarlett Johansson is regarded as the highest-paid actress: A redefined journey to fame

Scarlett Johansson is a renowned figure in Hollywood 🍿🤩 She reached remarkable heights in her career, even becoming the highest-paid actress in the industry at one point 💵🎥, earning a staggering $35 million 💵 for one of her roles. Now, that’s impressive! 🤔 Discover more about her career in the article below 👇

Today, let’s talk about Scarlett Ingrid Johansson, a name known to many in Hollywood, though you may best recognize her as Black Widow in The Avengers or Olivia from The Prestige. Johansson’s rise to fame wasn’t instantaneous—it was a gradual climb filled with setbacks. Yet, she ascended to remarkable heights, once becoming the highest-paid actress in the industry, reportedly earning $35 million for a single role. That’s some serious star power.

Johansson’s career didn’t kick off without its share of struggles. Her first major appearance came in North (1994), a film featuring Bruce Willis that flopped at the box office. No one remembers it now. Her next project, Just Cause with Sean Connery, didn’t fare much better. Scarlett even auditioned for Jumanji but lost the role to Kirsten Dunst.

Luck finally struck when she landed a role in The Horse Whisperer, a part originally intended for Natalie Portman, who turned it down. Despite being younger than the role required, Scarlett impressed the casting directors, and the movie grossed $186 million worldwide on a $60 million budget. This breakout role garnered Oscar and Golden Globe nominations and placed Johansson on the radar.

From then on, Johansson started gaining traction in the industry. She starred in several smaller films, like My Brother the Pig, where her talent began to shine. The film Ghost World in 2001, although only modestly successful at the box office, became a cult classic and earned critical acclaim.

Her big break came with two films released around the same time—Lost in Translation and Girl with a Pearl Earring. Both movies performed exceptionally well, with Lost in Translation grossing $118 million from a modest $4 million budget, earning numerous awards and nominations. This solidified Scarlett’s status as one of Hollywood’s most promising young actresses.

However, not all of her early projects were smooth sailing. In 2005, Johansson juggled roles in The Black Dahlia, The Island, and Match Point. While The Island flopped, Match Point—directed by Woody Allen—was a success, grossing $85 million on a $15 million budget. It earned Johansson another Golden Globe nomination, further bolstering her reputation.

Then came one of her most notable roles: Olivia in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige. The film, loved by audiences and critics alike, grossed $110 million on a $40 million budget. Following this, Johansson appeared in hits like The Nanny Diaries and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, the latter written specifically with her in mind by Woody Allen. The film became another success for Allen, earning $40 million on a $4 million budget.

Despite a surge in popularity, Johansson faced rejection for roles such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Director David Fincher reportedly found her “too glamorous” for the part, believing her looks didn’t fit the gritty character.

Following the success of The Avengers, Johansson found herself flooded with offers, but she chose her projects carefully. One misstep was Under the Skin, which, despite being critically acclaimed, struggled financially. Hitchcock also fell short at the box office.

In 2014, Scarlett made a triumphant return to blockbusters with two massive hits: Lucy and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Luc Besson’s Lucy grossed an astounding $458 million, while the Marvel hit added $714 million globally. Johansson’s earnings shot up, with her reportedly asking for $20 million for Avengers: Age of Ultron.

However, not every venture was a success. Ghost in the Shell, released in 2017, was her first major financial disappointment. But she quickly bounced back with the Avengers franchise, earning $35 million for her role in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, which were filmed back-to-back. The latter grossed $2.79 billion globally, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

In between superhero films, Scarlett showcased her range with projects like Jojo Rabbit, which earned her an Academy Award nomination, proving she was more than just an action star.

Her role in Black Widow came with a hefty $20 million paycheck, although the film underperformed, making $379 million against a $200 million budget. Nevertheless, Johansson remains one of the most sought-after actresses, with directors vying to work with her.

Despite her numerous accolades, one issue lingered: Johansson lacked that one career-defining blockbuster. Her breakthrough came when Marvel picked her for the role of Black Widow. Though she initially negotiated a $2 million fee, she ultimately agreed to a mere $400,000 to secure the role in Iron Man 2. She even dedicated significant time to preparing for the physical demands of the role, working closely with a trainer to perfect her look for the Black Widow.

The risk paid off. Iron Man 2 was a massive hit, grossing $623 million at the box office. For The Avengers, Johansson’s pay skyrocketed to $6 million, with the film grossing a staggering $1.5 billion worldwide.

Scarlett’s decision to pass on projects like Total Recall to focus on Marvel films proved to be a game-changer. Her path to becoming Hollywood’s top-earning actress was filled with twists and turns, but her resilience, talent, and strategic choices ultimately cemented her legacy.

So, what’s your favorite Scarlett Johansson movie?