Scarlett Johansson interviews David Harbour about acting and Marvel in a candid conversation that explores the demands of superhero roles, life in the spotlight, and the realities behind the scenes. Speaking via Zoom, the long-time collaborators reflect on the challenges and freedoms that come with both blockbuster franchises and smaller, more grounded projects, revealing unique professional and personal perspectives.
A Peek Behind the Curtain of David Harbour’s Latest Role
David Harbour, known for characters ranging from the tough cop in Stranger Things to his recent portrayal of a disillusioned superhero in Thunderbolts*, finds a change of pace invigorating. Currently shooting the HBO series DTF St. Louis, Harbour confides to Scarlett Johansson that playing an ordinary, middle-aged man with typical struggles offers relief after years of world-saving roles. The transformation isn’t just about acting—Harbour dons a 40-pound prosthetic belly created by expert craftspeople for authenticity and comfort on set.
The actor and his former Marvel co-star’s dialogue is both lighthearted and revealing as Harbour demonstrates the prosthetic to Johansson, who notes its realism and detail. Their back-and-forth highlights Harbour’s appreciation for the technical artistry behind such effects, stating the creation “moves with my body” and is a testament to modern moviemaking.
Filming Thunderbolts* and Marvel Insights
The conversation soon shifts to Thunderbolts*, releasing as they speak. Harbour brings up Johansson’s involvement as an executive producer, though she clarifies her credit was removed due to her limited participation. Most of the film, Harbour shares, was shot in Atlanta, where the crew meticulously recreated a New York street on a soundstage and journeyed to Utah for authentic desert scenes. He recalls a particularly uncomfortable but memorable sequence filming in a real limousine under the desert sun, eschewing green screens and embracing old-school filmmaking techniques preferred by director Jake Schreier.
On the differences between blockbuster sets and indie productions, Harbour expresses gratitude for filming on location and building camaraderie through shared challenges. The actors reflect on the changing nature of film production as studios prioritize cost-saving measures and digital effects over practical experiences, fueling Harbour’s nostalgia for moviemaking’s less corporate past.
Navigating Genre Work and Routine
Scarlett Johansson and David Harbour compare their careers spanning both large-scale projects and independent films. Harbour notes that his recent years have been filled with
“superhero, big budget-y green screen stages,”
though his current HBO project returns him to more everyday, relatable storytelling. Johansson points out how sustained commitments to Marvel and other franchise roles can mean losing some spontaneity in daily life, as actors often have to maintain consistent appearances and put parts of their identities on hold.
They discuss the challenge of maintaining freshness and creative risk after years in beloved roles. Harbour recounts friends warning him that after several seasons on a show, he might begin to feel restless:
“By season three or four you’ll be running.”
Eventually, he acknowledges the desire to pursue something new and different after lengthy stints in one part, a feeling Johansson shares from her own decade in the Marvel universe.
On Set, in Atlanta, and Embracing Change
Harbour describes balancing simultaneous commitments to Stranger Things and Thunderbolts*, while finding solace in keeping a personal routine amid a busy schedule. Staying in Atlanta, he enjoys tending a backyard garden and interacting with local wildlife, creating a contrast between the hustle of film sets and the peace of day-to-day life. Harbour notes the friendly, thoughtful community spirit in his Atlanta neighborhood, reminiscent of his earlier years among artists and “burnout free thinkers” in New York’s East Village.
The actors discuss shifts in city culture and the impact of technology on how people connect. Harbour comments on the differences between past and present urban life, saying that younger generations seem more driven by branding and digital personas than the kind of philosophical or artistic exploration he recalls from days spent in bookstores and coffee shops.
Digital Life, Social Media, and Privacy
The topic moves to technology and social media, with Harbour admitting to cycles of disconnecting from smartphones entirely and using a flip phone for periods. He finds value in detaching from the barrage of emails and notifications, allowing only the most important matters to emerge naturally without constant digital reminders.
Johansson, long recognized for steering clear of social media, discusses her preference for privacy and the work involved in maintaining online personas. Harbour praises Johansson’s approach, expressing admiration for her mystique and the control it gives her over her public image. He articulates his evolving view on social media:
“Early on, I was so enamored by the spotlight. I’d be like, ‘Come on in, let me show you my world.’ And then you start to get sour on the amount of work it takes, and you’re like, ‘Man, I got into this business so that I could reveal aspects of myself through characters whose stories are much more interesting than mine, so why don’t I just focus on telling those stories?’ Now my Instagram is literally advertisements for my projects.”
—David Harbour, Actor
As their conversation continues, both actors agree that while social platforms can be useful promotional tools, they are ultimately just another layer in the business of entertainment and can be managed by publicity professionals if needed.
Marvel Secrets, Shared Experiences, and Future Projects
Turning back to Marvel, Johansson teases Harbour about the next Avengers film and whether the Black Widow character might return. Harbour jokes about industry secrets and references the events of Endgame, amplifying the playful rivalry and camaraderie between the two. They joke about on-set traditions, prosthetic mishaps, and Johansson’s hypothetical support for Harbour by opening a social media account dedicated to his work.
The interview highlights Harbour’s pragmatic, often humorous acceptance of less glamorous aspects of acting. Regarding his prosthetic belly and relaxation with diet during filming, Harbour says:
“I’ll just work out every day and go right into this other project just jacked… And of course, you’re sitting around in this prosthetic hunched over because it pulls your spine, and you’re just like, ‘Are there any donuts at crafty?’ [Laughs] It’s like, ‘Fuck it, man. I’m wearing a fake belly. I’m going to eat what I want.”
—David Harbour, Actor
Both reflect on the freedom that comes with such transformations, including the ability to physically shed parts of a character at the end of a workday. Harbour shares,
“There’s also a lot of scenes where I take my shirt off, and I have to say, it’s so liberating. It’s like mask work. I’m just like, ‘It’s not me, guys.’”
—David Harbour, Actor
Love-Hate Relationships with Theater and Routine
Beyond film and television, Harbour and Johansson talk about the ups and downs of theater. Harbour describes a love-hate dynamic with stage acting, recalling his early career in off-Broadway productions where he often found himself in long runs of less successful plays. The actors share how routines help them stay grounded during intense work periods, whether on stage or film set. Johansson remarks on preferring a consistent schedule and environment, echoing Harbour’s practices of strict personal habits during productions.
Both agree that acting can temporarily put their personal lives on hold, with Harbour noting,
“There’s a certain way that we sort of put our lives on hold for a character. This may sound crazy, but when I’m in a complex scene with someone that’s going extremely well, I feel like I’m living in a deeper way than I am in normal life. And sometimes, if that’s going to be the focus of my day, I’m not going to want to waste life outside of that.”
—David Harbour, Actor
On Relationships—Inside and Outside the Industry
Discussion turns to relationships, where both Harbour and Johansson candidly describe their experiences dating both inside and outside the entertainment industry. Harbour notes that most of his long-term relationships have been with actors, citing the unique understanding “carny freaks” have for each other’s unconventional work schedules and emotional demands.
Johansson observes that maintaining a relationship with someone outside the industry can be challenging:
“I also think it’s easy to create a lot of jealousy when a person is not involved in the industry, because actors by nature are very free-spirited and they create very intimate relationships with people at work. They can be loyal to a partner and also very engaged in all these other kinds of relationships, and I think it can be a blurry line for some people. Also, to have a relationship with the public can be a complicated thing for people outside of the industry to understand.”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actor
They further reflect on the challenges of balancing intense work routines with maintaining personal connections, reinforcing the value of shared understanding within their professional circles.
David Harbour’s High School and Early Ambitions
As the conversation winds through Harbour’s personal history, Johansson presses him about his adolescence, prompting confession and humor. Harbour reveals a serious, artistic side that developed as early as age fourteen, when immersing himself in literature and drama helped shape his ambitions. He recalls:
“So, I got very serious around 14. I started thinking that my way out was through intellect and philosophy and art, so I started reading constantly. I would just read Hamlet over and over again, and I felt like I was Hamlet. I would wear a black trench coat and smoke cigarettes and wander around the halls and be intense. And really, little has changed in the past 35 years. [Laughs]”
—David Harbour, Actor
Starting his on-stage journey in a high school production of Ten Little Indians, Harbour quickly set his sights on acting as a lifelong pursuit, even as friends steered into more traditional careers. He notes that while his peers followed paths to law and business, he gravitated toward the arts, cementing his “loner” status early on. Harbour shares the challenges and surreal successes that followed, including small, low-paying gigs in off-Broadway Shakespeare plays and the eventual transition to well-known roles in hit series and movies.
Routine, Solitude, and Life Off-Camera
The interview returns to Harbour’s present-day interests, including solo trips to movie theaters and the joy of escaping into other people’s stories on screen. Johansson asks,
“Are you a loner, David Harbour?”
to which he answers,
“I’m a loner for sure. [Laughs]”
With self-deprecating wit, Harbour describes his affinity for solitary activities, reinforcing the impression of someone who alternates between intense public performances and quiet, reflective downtime.
Johansson and Harbour both admit to structuring their lives around routines, whether it’s Harbour’s gardening and bird watching in Atlanta or Johansson seeking comfort in familiar restaurants and theaters when on location. For these actors, predictable daily patterns provide essential balance to the unpredictable, often immersive demands of the profession.
The Relationship Between Role and Reality
As their conversation nears its end, the stars share final notes about vices, habits, and the blurring of character with self, joking about dietary indulgences and the transformative effects of padding and prosthetics. Harbour admits his considerable taste for donuts, affirming that, when the role allows for it, sometimes personal discipline takes a backseat:
“Goddamn, I do love a donut. If I could do donuts with impunity, I might give up everything else.”
—David Harbour, Actor
Johansson prepares to end the call, emphasizing the importance of sustaining their off-screen friendship amid hectic schedules and numerous commitments. Their conversation closes on a note of mutual support and ongoing affection, reinforcing the personal ties that persist beyond the superhero worlds they inhabit on screen.
Impact and Looking Ahead
This exchange between Scarlett Johansson and David Harbour reveals the challenges, ironies, and satisfactions that define modern acting, especially for those balancing high-profile franchise work, personal growth, and creative fulfillment. Their frank discussion illustrates how, despite the scale and spectacle of superhero films like Thunderbolts* and the continuing presence of legacy characters like Black Widow, it is the blend of technical innovation, personal ritual, and trusted friendships that sustains their passion for performance amid an ever-changing industry. As both prepare for new roles and ongoing creative exploration, their dialogue offers a rare, grounded glimpse into the intersecting worlds of popular culture and the private realities of the working actor.
