Washington DC [US], June 30: Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson, best known for her roles in Avengers, Black Widow, and a wide array of acclaimed films, recently opened up about how opportunities for women in the film industry have evolved since she began her career. Speaking to Variety, Johansson noted that Hollywood is now offering more diverse and empowered roles for women.
From “Desirability” to Depth: Changing Narratives for Women
“When I first started, the roles I was offered often revolved around my desirability or the needs of a male character,” Johansson shared. “A lot of the characters had arcs centered around the male gaze or were tied to a male-led story.”
However, the award-winning actress believes a shift has taken place in the industry.
“The messaging is different today. There are more role models, more women in powerful positions, and now I get to play women who don’t have to be just one thing or another,” she added.
Scarlett Johansson on Past Industry Challenges
Johansson has long been vocal about her early experiences in Hollywood, particularly how she was “hypersexualised” by the industry at a young age. In a 2022 interview, she admitted feeling pigeonholed by the types of roles offered to her.
“I kind of became objectified and pigeonholed… I wasn’t getting the kinds of offers I wanted,” she recalled. “At one point, I thought, ‘I think people think I’m 40 years old.’ It stopped being empowering and started to feel limiting.”
A Voice for Change
Now considered one of Hollywood’s most influential actresses, Johansson is optimistic about the future for women in film. With more representation, complex female characters, and women leading both in front of and behind the camera, she believes “it’s a different time for young women in Hollywood.”
Her journey reflects a broader industry transformation, where stories driven by women are finally taking center stage—not just as supporting characters, but as fully realized protagonists with agency and depth.