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Scarlett Johansson’s Directorial Debut Faces Distraction

Scarlett Johansson’s Directorial Debut Faces Distraction
Published 17 hours ago on Apr 24, 2025

Scarlett Johansson’s Directorial Debut at Cannes Faces Potential Overshadowing Amidst Legal Turmoil Involving Ex-Husband Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

Scarlett Johansson is set to make her feature directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, premiering in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The film stars 95-year-old June Squibb as Eleanor, a nonagenarian who returns to New York after her best friend's death, with a cast that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor. The Guardian

However, the film's release coincides with a high-profile legal battle involving Johansson's ex-husband, Ryan Reynolds, and his wife, Blake Lively. Lively has filed a lawsuit against director Justin Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign during the production of It Ends With Us. CNN In response, Baldoni has filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and others, claiming they attempted to destroy his reputation and career. Good Morning America

Legal expert Lisa Bloom commented on the situation, stating that the ongoing legal disputes could overshadow Johansson's film. "The success or failure of this Baldoni-produced film will be highly relevant in court," Bloom noted, suggesting that if the film underperforms, Baldoni might attribute it to the negative publicity from the lawsuits. Conversely, a successful release could undermine his claims of career damage.​

Johansson has not publicly addressed the legal issues involving her ex-husband and his wife. However, her current husband, Colin Jost, made a lighthearted reference to the situation during a recent Saturday Night Live segment, joking about the tensions between Baldoni and Lively.​

The Cannes Film Festival, running from May 13 to 24, 2025, will showcase Eleanor the Great among other notable films. Despite the potential distractions, Johansson's debut as a director marks a significant milestone in her career. ​The Guardian

As the legal battles unfold, the film industry and audiences alike will be watching to see how these off-screen controversies impact the reception of Johansson's directorial venture.

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