Scott Tenorman
ActressScarlett Johanssonstarted her big-screen career at the age of ten but it was only with her role in 2003’s Lost In Translation that she found international fame. Since then, her on-off romance with Jared Leto and rumours that she had sex with actor Benicio Del Toro in a lift have made her a gossip column regular.
Is it true that you were injured while making your new film The Island?
Yes, I almost lost an eye. That was a drag but we were all banged up a little bit. My knee was permanently bruised but that’s a casualty of war, I guess. Time is money. There were a couple of times I was in so much pain but you just keep on going because there are so many people on set and 300 extras being moved from one place to another. So you just kind of crawl along in agony.
You’re only 20 but have been in the public eye since you were 17. Have you got used to the exposure?
No, I really haven’t. I don’t think you can do any preparation for that kind of thing. It just starts happening and I think you always have a slight nervous breakdown when it does because you’re doing the same thing you do all the time but then you have to make these weird adjustments. For instance, you’re buying a slice of pizza and somebody’s outside photographing it, which is strange. That’s not normal and it’s very uncomfortable. That private moment you thought you were having isn’t private any more. So, no, I’m not prepared for it at all.
This is your first action film. Was it what you expected?
It was harder. When you’re reading the script, it seems so fantastic. You’re so involved in the story and you can’t wait to be a part of it. Then all of a sudden, you’re running half a mile 30 times in a row with people and debris being thrown at you and it doesn’t seem that glamorous any more. Of course, if Ewan McGregor is co-starring next to you, it can help make the situation seem a bit better.
Did the two of you get on well?
Totally. He’s a wonderful guy and so much fun to work with. He’s such a movie star in every wonderful sense of that word. He’s an incredible actor and he’s a great dad and husband. He has a wonderful family and he’s funny, charming and thoughtful. I got really lucky because I had to spend five and a half months with him.
You seem very mature for your age – why is that?
You know, I heard someone yesterday really patronising young people. He was young and said something like: ¿How could I possibly get on with people my own age?’ It just so happens that all the dinner parties I go to are with people over 40 but I have friends my own age. I can relate to people my own age. I honestly think that I seem older because I grew up in New York City. I’ll blame that island.
Your latest film explores human cloning. Will it become common in the future?
I think so but it can be used for good and bad. Something like stem cell research could cure Alzheimer’s or polio, which would be amazing. At the same time, I guess you could argue that it’s playing with fate. It’s a strange concept to believe that people will be able to choose their children’s eye colour. Does that mean some master race could be planned? We know people can be evil and that technology can be used to their advantage.
If you had your own clone, what jobs would you get it to do?
She could definitely go to the gym and the supermarket, fold the laundry and prance around in clothes, so I could see beforehand how I’d look in things.
The film is also about forbidden love. Any experience with that?
Sorry but that is none of your concern.
Is it true you dropped out of Mission: Impossible 3 because Tom Cruise wanted to date you?
I really don’t patronise tabloid magazines so, if I ever read something about me, it’s usually because one of my friends faxed me the article. I don’t think it does any good to respond to anything, whether it’s true or not. Unless it’s something horribly and unbelievably untrue and offensive, it’s better just to avoid it. Hopefully that way, you won’t be in the tabloid the following week.
Does having a twin brother give you an idea of what having a clone might be like?
No. My brother’s actually been mistaken for my boyfriend rather than my clone. If I had a clone, I’d treat them as an equal person. We’d watch movies together and go and get dinner. She’d be my special companion but, honestly, I can’t imagine what that would be like. If I saw somebody walking down the street with the same genetic make-up as me, I’d probably run in the opposite direction, lock my door and never leave the house.
