Scarlett Johansson has shared her thoughts on how the landscape of Hollywood roles for women has evolved since she began her acting career. In a recent discussion, Johansson reflected on the noticeable changes in how female characters are portrayed and how opportunities for women have broadened within the industry.
Shifting Attitudes Toward Women in Hollywood
Johansson, well known for her performances in films such as Avengers, spoke to The Times of London about her early experiences navigating Hollywood. At the start of her career, she observed that many of the characters offered to her were heavily influenced by the desires and perspectives of male counterparts in the story. Johansson noted a transition in recent years, expressing that she has seen
“a different time for young women.”
She elaborated on this shift, saying,
“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,”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actor. Johansson further reflected on her early roles, stating,
“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.”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actor.
Early Career Challenges and Changing Representation
Johansson revisited the struggles she encountered as a young performer, particularly the experience of being typecast and objectified in the entertainment business. In 2022, she spoke about feeling hypersexualized by the industry at a young age, which made her question whether she could ever access different types of roles beyond what had been offered to her.
Describing these difficulties, Johansson shared,
“I kind of became objectified and pigeonholed in this way where I felt like I wasn’t getting offers for work for things that I wanted to do,”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actor. She added,
“I remember thinking to myself, ‘I think people think I’m 40 years old.’ It somehow stopped being something that was desirable and something that I was fighting against.”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actor.
A New Era for Female Representation and Role Models
The evolution described by Johansson comes at a time when the Hollywood industry at large has faced increased scrutiny over its standards of representation and storytelling. The rise of powerful female characters and visible role models in prominent films signals a broader push for inclusivity, a cause mirrored at events like the Cannes premiere of ‘Caravan,’ which highlights efforts toward a more open and attentive society for marginalized communities.
As Hollywood continues to revisit its approach to casting and narrative focus, Johansson’s experiences highlight the ongoing conversation about typecasting and the importance of offering varied, independent roles for women. The shift she observes may serve as encouragement for new generations of female actors aspiring to succeed without being limited by outdated perceptions or the demands of the male gaze.
