A Minute With: Scarlett Johansson and the Black Widow

Scarlett Johansson first joined the Marvel comic book superhero universe when she was introduced as the mysterious Black Widow opposite Robert Downey Jr in the 2010 blockbuster ‘Iron Man 2’.

The action-filled movie role marked a big change for the actress, who’s known more for low-key performances in films like Sofia Coppola’s drama ‘Lost in Translation’ or Woody Allen’s sly comedy ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’.

But Johansson is in fighting form to reprise her role as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, in Marvel Studios’ ‘The Avengers’, due in theatres on Friday.

With her bright red hair and latex suit, the Black Widow teams up with Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye and Thor to stop the evil Loki from conquering Earth with his army.

Q. Black Widow was introduced in ‘Iron Man 2’ but gets far more exposure in ‘Avengers’. How did you expand the character?
A. At the end of ‘Iron Man 2’, we know she’s a part of S.H.I.E.L.D., but we don’t know what S.H.I.E.L.D. is. In this film, (director) Joss Whedon and I talked about her past. Who is she? How does she get to be a mercenary? What path do you follow in order to get to that place? We both wanted to see the darker side of her – not just that she’s someone who is highly skilled, but why did she have to learn those skills?

Q. You’re in top form physically on screen. What new fighting skills did you learn?
A. We incorporated this Wushu style (of fighting) when the Widow wields a huge alien gun. That was new and really challenging. I had to learn how to spin it and move it. It was hard because I’d hit myself with it all the time. And it’s heavy. You learn (by using) a broom handle so you’re like, ‘Ah, I got it down, I’ve mastered it.’ Then all of a sudden they’re like, ‘Here’s the prop’ and you’re like, ‘What? This thing is 20 lbs!’ I was so terribly battered. I’d wake up every day in agony but it was a continuous thing, so it became normal (laughs).

Q. Black Widow also speaks in her native Russian language, which you seemed to nail. Was it difficult to learn?
A. I had two days, so I had to learn it phonetically. I knew what I was saying but I had to be able to pronounce it and breathe some life into the lines so that it didn’t sound like I was repeating some Berlitz tape. We hired this great Russian translator, and she worked with the dialogue coach. She was really expressive, which helped, so my mouth found the words in a way that didn’t just sound like I was a parrot.

Q. You often play with hair colour in your movie roles. Did you enjoy being a redhead for the duration of the shoot?
A. It’s nice because it allows me to go a bit under the radar - people don’t expect me to have that colour of hair. I’m always happy when I do it because it’s the first step of the process of finding the character again. To me more than anything, the hair colour represents a huge piece of work that we dive head first into. And I’m really happy when I can wash it out because then I’m like, ‘Yes, It’s finished, we actually did it!’ Out it goes and you know you’ve accomplished something.

Q. You’re the only female Avenger in the cast. Did your male co-stars treat you any differently because of that?
A. If anything, the guys weren’t as delicate with me as I thought they would be. They like to play hard and always dragged me along for the ride. I’d always come back with battle wounds. But they’re a great group of guys. All of us got on so well.

Q. Who did you spend most of your time with on location in New Mexico?
A. Jeremy (Renner, Hawkeye) because (we share scenes) together a lot. We fight together, so we had to do a lot of our stunt training together. We had the same battle wounds! Tom (Hiddleston, Thor), Jeremy and I spent a lot of time in the stunt gym because we fight so much hand to hand, so we ended up hanging out together. But we all equally had a closeness.

Q. What was the dynamic like with all of you?
A. We’re all fans of each other’s work. Some of us have worked together in the past. Chris Evans and I have made three movies together. Sam Jackson and I made three movies together. Mark Ruffalo I’ve known for quite some time. Every time Robert (Downey Jr) was on set, it was like, so alive. We’re just lucky that there was no diva on set. It was everybody trying to support one another. It was really nice to have that. reuters***

Scarlett Johansson: 'East African famine is an emergency'

Scarlett Johansson has met with Somali refugees during a recent visit to Kenya on behalf of Oxfam.

Johansson said that she was shocked by the vast famine in the Horn of Africa and called on world leaders to take "extreme action" in order to stop the growing humanitarian crisis.

"The scale of poverty in Dadaab is overwhelming. I met countless women like Hawa, a local community leader, who lamented the seemingly endless struggle of the Somali people, as refugees of war and starvation and now left to suffer everyday life with the very barest of essentials," Johansson said.

Johansson further suggested that it's irresponsible to simply ignore the deaths of thousands of African children from starvation.

"This is a long-term and escalating crisis exacerbated by political conflict, famine and drought that can no longer be ignored. Over half the Somalis that have died are children; an entire generation lost," Johansson declared.

"This is no longer an issue that can only garner some attention, some of the time. Extreme action must be taken by the global community now."

U2 singer Bono and Bob Geldof have also called for increased aid to East Africa.

Johansson first joined Oxfam in 2005 and has since represented the charity on trips to India and Sri Lanka.

Abhay Deol will share a table Monday with Scarlett Johansson

Bollywood actor Abhay Deol will share a table Monday with Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson at an exclusive 'Diner Du Siecle' to celebrate the arrival of Moet & Chandon champagne in China more than 150 years ago.

"I am looking forward to this event. It is both humbling and exciting all at the same time. Moet & Chandon is not just an established and respected house but a brand that has been associated with glamour for decades now. It's heartening to see them recognize talent from across the world and celebrate life and art together," commented Abhay on the exclusive honour.

"And what can I say about Scarlett that has not already been said?

Being a celebrity means being many things, the persona that comes across from the characters you play, the image that comes. I'm just looking forward to getting an insight into the person and not the celebrity," he added

Moet & Chandon, leading champagne brand of the glamour industry since 1743, arrived in China in 1843, exactly a century after it was launched, an official said here Friday.

"At the dinner in The Peninsula, Shanghai next Monday (Sep 5), Deol, the only Indian star invited for the prestigious event, would be hosted by House of Moet & Chandon President Daniel Lalonde and iconic Hollywood star and Moet Muse Scarlett Johansson," said Gaurav Bhatia, Moet Hennessy India's marketing director.

To commemorate the 100-year landmark of its arrival in Asia, Moet & Chandon will uncork for the first time, a rare 100-year old wine, the Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 1911, at the Diner Du Siecle (Dinner of Century), overlooking The Bund.

"Moet & Chandon is the champagne of cinema, with a long-standing affair with movie-stars all across the world. The Diner Du Siecle promises to present the perfect melange of east meets west - Scarlett and Abhay will come together to celebrate the magic of Moet & Chandon and the charisma of celluloid," Bhatia added.

Bhatia described Abhay as one who "stands for pure art, glamour, success and is the face of contemporary Indian cinema, much akin to Moet & Chandon's spirit of celebration, heritage and savoir faire."

"He brings with him an enviable body of work and a cult following. Needless to say, we are most excited that Abhay will be joining us at this spectacular evening in Shanghai," gushed Bhatia.

Moet & Chandon will take the opportunity to auction a luxurious coffret filled with bottles of the prestigious Grand Vintage 1911.

The proceeds will benefit the Nature Conservancy, a local environmental initiative helping to protect nature and preserve wildlife, according to Bhatia.

Moet & Chandon champagne has been an old favourite with European aristocracy and savoured by the likes of Louis XV and Napoleon, and of course, Hollywood personalities.

Scarlett Johansson "comfortable" with sexuality

Scarlett Johansson has revealed that she feels confident as a young woman.

The actress, who began dating Sean Penn months after filing for divorce from her husband Ryan Reynolds, explained that she is comfortable with her sex symbol status.

She told The Sun: "I feel comfortable as a young woman - a young, modern, liberal person. I feel comfortable with my sexuality.

"However, I am protective of my private life. I don't think that if you are in the public eye your life is public. I am an actor. But you can't take things too seriously."

The 26-year-old also admitted that she is "dorky" and likes to stay in and watch TV.

Referring to Robert Redford, with whom she starred as a teenager in The Horse Whisperer, she added: "I don't feel mature. I always feel about the age I am. I know Robert Redford described me as, '13 going on 30', but that's not how I felt at the time.

"I am still dorky. I watch cheesy TV with TV dinners and, at one point, could not stop watching Jerry Springer. I also like cheesy movies. Arnold Schwarzenegger, for example."

Scarlett Johansson, Sean Penn not together anymore?

Scarlett Johansson is said to be no longer dating actor Sean Penn.

Speculation about the couple parting ways began after Johansson did not attend the Cannes International Film Festival where Penn's movie "The Tree of Life" was screened.

The shooting of "The Avengers" in New Mexico is keeping her busy. She is reprising her role of Black Widow from "Iron Man 2" in the film, reports people.com.

Johansson, 26, and Penn, 50, made headlines when they took a whirlwind trip to Cabo San Lucas after being spotted getting flirty together during a lunch date in Los Angeles.

'Red Hot' Scarlett Johansson looks more like her curvy self in new mango ad

Scarlett Johansson looks more like her usual curvy self in the latest Mango advert for the clothing stores summer collection after accusations of airbrushing in the last one.

The ‘Lost In Translation’ star, 26, looks moody in a striped sundress - but at least her legs look like her own, reports the Daily Mail.

Last month, she raised eyebrows when another picture from the Spanish high street chain showed her with thighs distinctly thinner than sported by the actress in real life.

Similar to her last Mango ad, Scarlett''s stomach appears completely flat, compared to in reality.

The airbrushing rumours were sparked more so because unflattering pictures emerged of her working out with Sean Penn, after which she was forced to deny pregnancy rumours.

After those pictures, her spokesman released a statement saying: “Scarlett is not pregnant. She''s outside running and it''s simply the placement of her shirt that is misleading.

''She''s been training for (her forthcoming new movie) The Avengers for over four months and is in the best shape of her life,” he added.

Scarlett Johansson 'not pregnant', says rep

A representative for Scarlett Johansson has denied speculation that the actress is pregnant.
Photos of Johansson jogging with Sean Penn in Malibu on Sunday surfaced online over the weekend. The photos seemed to show something bulging under Johansson's shirt, leading some to report that the actress was sporting a baby bump.

However, the Avengers star is not expecting a baby, her rep tells Us magazine.

"Scarlett is not pregnant. She's outside running and it's simply the placement of her shirt that is misleading," the rep added in a statement.

The statement continued: "She's been training for The Avengers for over four months and is in the best shape of her life."

Penn and Johansson have reportedly been dating since early this year.

Johansson announced her divorce from actor Ryan Reynolds last December after two years of marriage, while Penn split from former wife Robin Wright in 2009.

Scarlett Johansson campaigns for Planned Parenthood

Actress Scarlett Johansson has made an appearance in a video on YouTube posted by Planned Parenthood, protesting a bill passed by Congress that targets women.

Johansson, 26, said the bill will have disastrous consequences for women everywhere in need of basic but lifesaving health services.

The actress urged people to sign an open letter protesting legislation voted on by Congress this year that cuts federal funding to the organization’s health centres.

“A cancer that goes undetected. A sexually transmitted disease left undetected. A woman unable to get the birth control she needs to plan her family and take control of her own destiny,” the New York Daily News quoted Johansson as saying.

“This is the disastrous vision of some leaders of the United States House of Representatives,” she stated.

Johansson asked others to stand with her in support of Planned Parenthood, which provides birth control, cancer screenings, breast exams and STD testing for millions of women, men and teens, many of whom are uninsured.

Eliminating millions of dollars of funding to women’s health centres, including Planned Parenthood, is part of the current budget debate that could lead to a government shutdown.

Planned Parenthood’s online petition, which calls the law an “outrageous assault” on millions of people in need of basic health care, has gathered 819,086 electronic signatures.

Scarlett Johansson dating Sean Penn?

The 26-year-old actress is said to be “smitten” with the 50-year-old actor after hooking up with him in January while she was staying at Los Angeles’ Chateau Marmont hotel while she filmed ‘We Bought a Zoo’ with Matt Damon.

A source told the new issue of Us Weekly magazine: "Their first hook-up was in Scarlett's Bungalow. she is smitten with him."

Scarlett – who split from husband Ryan Reynolds in December after two years of marriage – and Sean began their friendship when she was planning to fly out to Haiti to help people affected by the two earthquakes in January 2010.

The source added: "Scarlett first reached out to Sean when she was planning to visit Haiti with Oxfam. she knew Sean was living there in a tent and turned to him for advice."

Although she didn’t end up going on the trip she and the ‘Milk’ star – who is spending most of his free time on the Caribbean island, where he has been undertaking charity work since the disaster – are said to have developed feelings for each other.

Sean was previously married to Madonna, while his divorce from actress Robin Wright – mother of his two children Dylan, 19, and Hopper, 17 – was finalised in July after 14 years of marriage.

Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johansson split

Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson have separated.

The acting couple confirmed that they are now living apart following two years of marriage.

A joint statement read: "After long and careful consideration on both our parts, we've decided to end our marriage.

"We entered our relationship with love and it's with love and kindness we leave it. While privacy isn't expected, it's certainly appreciated."

Reynolds, 34, and Johansson, 26, married in a private ceremony in Tofino, BC in September 2008 after a six-month engagement.

The pair were rumoured to have been experiencing problems as a result of their competing work schedules.

However, Reynolds said in September that his marriage to Johansson was "the best part" of his life.

Prior to their relationship, the Canadian actor was engaged to singer Alanis Morissette, while Johansson dated former Black Dahlia co-star Josh Hartnett.

Scarlett Johansson’s Cute New Coif

It’s quite common for ladies to impulsively change their hairstyle, and it seems Scarlett Johansson was looking for a cropped coif for the summer season.

The “In Good Company” actress arrived at the 2010 San Diego Comic Con sporting a much shorter blonde ‘do, and turned heads everywhere she went.

Scarlett is no stranger to switching up her style on a whim, as we’ve seen her with red, brown, and blonde locks over the years.

Of course, Ms. Johansson put her own spin on the ‘bob’ haircut by giving it a bit of a messy texture signifying her fun outlook on life.

Sandra Smooches Scarlett Johansson at MTV Movie Awards

Actress Sandra Bullock stunned the audience when she kissed Scarlett Johansson while on stage to collect the Generation Award at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

Bullock received the award Sunday for her riveting and diverse contributions to the film industry. She is the first woman to get the honour, reports aceshowbiz.com.

The actress was greeted by Betty White, Bradley Cooper and Johansson on stage.

Bullock and Johansson's husband Ryan Reynolds' lip locking in "The Proposal" was nominated in the Best Kiss category at the MTV awards but the title went to Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart for their kissing in "Twilight Saga: New Moon".

"Scarlett...I love you and all but this is a little uncomfortable... why are you here?" asked Bullock.

Johansson replied: "Well, since Ryan was working, I wanted to be here in his place when you guys won Best Kiss."

"That's so nice. But we didn't win," Bullock added. Johansson responded: "Right... well... I thought you should have won... it was a great kiss."

Then, Bullock and Johansson moved closer. "It looked like such a great kiss," Johansson said.

"It was. It really was," Bullock said and the two actresses landed a kiss on each other's lips.

"Now that we have done that, can you please go back to normal because therapy is really expensive," Bullock added.

My Iron Man character is smart

Scarlett Johansson has insisted that the female characters in Iron Man 2 are not just sexy but "intelligent".
The actress also revealed that she finds roles that would objectify her "boring".
Speaking to Teen Hollywood, Johansson said: "Well you know, I don’t think I have never really seen a film of this genre, where the female characters' sex appeal sort of came second. I mean of course they’re sexy characters. When you have a sexy secretary, or a girl swinging around by her ankles in a catsuit, you know that’s innately sexy, but the fact is that these characters are intelligent. They’re ambitious. They’re motivated and calculated to some degree.

"A movie where I would probably have to be just a pawn in a story of a whole bunch of men fighting it out and rolling around and getting down and dirty [wouldn't appeal to me]. When you are there to be the vision in the tight catsuit, it's sort of a boring thing to me. And I think that [director] Jon [Favreau] really made that very clear in the beginning. He felt that, as far as Black Widow was concerned, or that Natalie was concerned, she was mysterious and nuanced and something to kind of peel back the layers to. That there was something there."

She added: "He wanted to do that, and I think that is why this film is much more dynamic for me as an audience member.

 I have never really been a fan of this genre really and I think because it is really one note and kind of explosive. I think that because Gwyneth [Paltrow] and I can sort of be the brains behind the operation in some aspect, there’s kind of a happy medium there. I think it adds to the charm and the charisma of the film and the finished product."

Scarlett Johansson Keen On Playing Courtney Love

She’s always been an avid supporter of President Barack Obama, and Scarlett Johansson was in Washington DC this weekend for the White House Correspondent’s Ball.

Rather than taking her hubby Ryan Reynolds, the “In Good Company” babe found another date instead- her twin brother Hunter who actually works for Obama.

In career news, it seems Scarlett has been eyeing the role of Courtney Love in the upcoming big screen biopic about the life of Kurt Cobain.

Johansson told press, "I know that there is a script. That's as much as I know about it. I'm a big fan of Courtney's, and I think she's very, very talented. But I don't know anything about the project. I think the idea is interesting and intriguing, but I would have to really wrap my head around it."

Scarlett Johansson 'fan of Disneyland'

Scarlett Johansson has declared that she loves visiting Disneyland.

The Iron Man 2 actress said that the theme park is one of the few places she can walk about freely without being pestered by fans.

"There's certain places that I probably won’t end up in a bikini," she told the Daily Record when asked whether she is still able to go out without being bothered by fans.

"But I go to Disneyland, for instance. At Disneyland, you are not the main attraction. That's the best part."

Scarlett Johansson's Cleavage is Back

For some unknown reason, Scarlett Johansson has been hiding from the cameras since she was done promoting her movie Vicky Christina Barcelona.

But this past week the famous actress and her even more famous boobs resurfaced barely dressed in a red-hot red dress. Scarlett showed up at the Moet & Chandon's Tribute to Cinema event in Tokyo, Japan, wearing a knee-length dress that covered her body but showed plenty of cleavage.

Recently married to actor Ryan Reynolds, Johansson has lost a noticeable amount of weight since her wedding and regretfully her boobage has shrunk some due to this. But still, she's one of the hottest and most coveted young celebrities in today's Hollywood and it was about time she began parading her titties again!

Do Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson Plan to Adopt?

Recently, we heard rumors that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban were thinking of adopting a baby from Vietnam. Now, there's speculation that Ryan Reynolds and his new bride Scarlett Johansson have plans to adopt. Ryan spoke to UK Glamour and opened up about the topic.

"My oldest brother is adopted and I have every intention of adopting at some time. I'm very grateful for having my brother in my life. I couldn't be more pro-adoption. There are plenty of kids in the world that need it," he told the magazine. Why not? It worked out really well for Brad and Angelina, didn't it?

Scarlett Johansson has best Cleavage in Hollywood

Scarlett Johansson's killer cleavage has beaten off competition from Salma Hayek's awesome assets to be named the best breasts in Hollywood.The actress left other curvy stars trailing in a new poll compiled by U.S. TV show Access Hollywood.But the honour will probably come as no surprise for Scarlett who always knew her breasts were destined for greatness.She said of them last year, “I would never have a boob job. I get compliments about them but I have my parents to thank for them."I think they could win awards, you know!”Halle Berry was judged to have the third-best cleavage in the business. Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Love Hewitt came fourth and fifth respectively.

Miley Cyrus didn't allow beau to watch Scarlett Johansson strip

Teen sensation and "Hannah Montana" star Miley Cyrus covered boyfriend Justin Gaston's eyes during a Scarlett Johansson strip act in the film "He's Just Not That Into You" as she thinks that the blonde starlet is very attractive."Scarlett is honestly, the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. When I went to watch 'He's Just Not That Into You' with Justin, I was covering his eyes," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Cyrus as saying.Cyrus, 16, has been dating 20-year-old model Justin since last year but admits that she was initially not at all attracted to him. "I have always believed in love at first sight but it just didn't happen to me. The first time I saw Justin, I walked right by him. Love doesn't come from att