Scarlett Johansson

Interview By: Andrea Tuccillo
AndreaTuccillo@TheCinemaSource.com

Scarlett Johansson has played the flirt, the seductress and the vixen to perfection in films like Match Point, The Prestige, and The Black Dahlia. One might think she was a shoe-in for the role of King Henry VIII's scandalous mistress, Anne Boleyn. Instead, in The Other Boleyn Girl Johansson plays Anne's shy, goodhearted sister Mary, and the conniving Anne is played by Natalie Portman. And what do you know' She plays that to perfection too. There seems to be no role that she can't'or won't'tackle.

The Other Boleyn Girl focuses on the untold story of the Boleyn sisters. While Anne has worldwide recognition for her tempestuous relationship with the king, Mary's role in history is not as well known. She, too, had an affair with Henry VIII (Eric Bana)and bore him a son before Anne manipulated her way into the thrown. Johansson is glad the story is finally being portrayed on screen. 'I remember passing briefly through this time in my own World History class,' she says. 'I think just because it's a vast'I remember having World History I, World History II, and you're learning this all in a period of two years and that's before you hit U.S. History. I think unless you're studying or majoring in European history or particularly interested in these monarchies, it's not something as Americans much people know about.'

She hopes that the release of the film will be able to educate people on historical events. 'The fact that Natalie and I are both involved with the project, it will maybe entice a younger generation to become'maybe it will kind of spark their interest in the subject because it is a fascinating time in history and they say history repeats itself so we'll see how that is manifested over time,' she says.

Though Johansson and Portman play rivaling sisters, their relationship off screen was anything but competitive. The two are completely supportive and admiring of each other. 'A major part of why I joined the project was because Natalie was already involved and she was set to play Anne,' she says. 'I was a huge fan of Natalie's for a long time and always loved her choices and her performances and I was just so excited. I've never had the opportunity to work on such an even playing field with a peer. It was like we're going to play siblings, so it was a great opportunity for both of us I think.'

Working with Portman was easy. Doing it in elaborate and constraining costumes was a bit trickier. 'Of course as an actor anything that helps you get into character is helpful and the costumes were a major part of that,' she says. 'Even just the space of the costume, as modern women we are able to just move freely and not think about what we're wearing, just act very comfortably and be able to be physically comfortable, and these costumes not only are uncomfortable to wear but it affects the way people move around you otherwise you're just taking everything down. The costume's so huge! And it affects your intimacy so you just feel very statuesque and vulnerable in these costumes which were a constant reminder of the restrictions which were placed on women at this time and certainly it affects the way you walk and all of these things.'

She'll get alot more pratice with it in her upcoming film as well. Johansson is set to play Mary Queen of Scots in the film of the same name. 'I'm starting production on Mary Queen of Scots which is interesting because it's some time later but the same bloodline of course,' she says. 'So I guess I'd be playing a distant cousin of myself or something.'

With the complex role of Mary Boleyn and the role of a royal leader soon to be completed, Johansson has found characters that showcase a woman's strength. 'I think that I've found strength in every character that I've played and even if it is a vulnerable person or someone who's easily manipulated there are strengths to every personality,' she says. 'I wasn't particularly looking for a 'girl power' kind of role. I think that maintaining integrity in a character is a positive thing for women to see; I think it's inspiring.'