Scarlett Johansson declined to create an Instagram account to promote Jurassic World: Rebirth, despite being pressured to do so by Universal Pictures.
During an interview with InStyle magazine, the Black Widow actress revealed that she refuses to use social media for film or product promotion, believing it would make her disingenuous. During that same interview the actress also shared her opinion on Black Widow’s theoretical return to the MCU.
(L-R): Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Yelena (Florence Pugh) in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
In 2022, Johansson launched The Outset, a beauty brand designed to be a “non-celebrity brand” despite her high-profile status. Even then, she avoided using social media as a marketing tool. According to InStyle, her former co-founder, Kate Foster, also attempted to convince her to join Instagram.
When the interviewer asked how close she came to giving in, Johansson admitted: “I got close enough to talk to my therapist about it.” She then elaborated further:
“I was like, I guess this is something I need to do. But it goes against my core values. . . . I think it was more about: How do I express that, too? Because there’s so much expectation. . . . I mean, even today, I got an email from Universal . . . and they’re like, ‘Hey, would you consider joining Instagram in tandem with the release of Jurassic World: Rebirth?’ I get a lot of pressure to join social media. [It makes me wonder] . . . is there a way where I could do this and stay true to who I am? It didn’t feel like I could. . . .
The work that I put out there is all based in truth. That’s the key ingredient. So if I was a person who really enjoyed social media, then I could totally get on the bandwagon. But I’m not. And I think the film will do fine.”
Variety reported that Scarlett Johansson headlining Jurassic World: Rebirth, alongside Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey, “could also give [her] yet another mega-franchise win after her tenure as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”
Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Johansson’s character died in Avengers: Endgame and then returned briefly for the prequel movie Black Widow. Since then, many fans and theorists have speculated the character’s return to the screen. The introduction of the multiverse into the MCU allows for the possibility.
However, Johansson told InStyle during the interview that it will not happen.
“Natasha is dead,” she told the interviewer. “She is dead. She’s dead. Okay? [The fans] just don’t want to believe it. They’re like, ‘But she could come back!’ Look, I think the balance of the entire universe is held in her hand. We’re going to have to let her go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment.”
Scarlett Johansson’s emphasis on remaining authentic—a rare trait in Hollywood these days—is admirable. Despite industry pressure, she remains firm in her decision to stay off social media, even when major studios like Universal push for it.
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I’m certain Johansson knows Jurassic World is not going to be a hit with audiences. Kids who still like dinosaurs, maybe. But everyone else? The franchise is played out and Universal themselves need to just give it up.
In a weird way, I appreciate her honesty for offhandedly admitting she just starred in it for a check and doesn’t actually care about the movie.
What a selfish actress this woman is. Dear actress, you took the money, so promote the damned thing. Help your colleagues out. And, where was your pride when you did a fake ad for Kamala Harris? “Hi Avengers!”. Hypocrite!
I boycott movies and shows by all these woke actors and actresses who campaigned for Kamala Harris.