Scarlett Johansson’s New Movie Has Her Trying Out A British Accent. I’m Stoked To See It, But How Did She Land The Gig?

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Scarlett Johansson boasts an impressive body of work, ranging from intimate dramas such as “Marriage Story” and “Lost In Translation”, to blockbuster hits like “The Avengers” and “Jurassic World: Rebirth”. Known as the highest-grossing actor in history, she’s now tackling a fresh and unforeseen endeavor – mastering a British accent. The Academy Award nominee is currently starring as an Englishwoman in her latest small film, and director Kristin Scott Thomas is revealing the process behind casting Johansson for this role.

In a recent conversation with Scott Thomas, the actress famous for films like “Mission: Impossible” and “The English Patient,” shared insights about her directorial debut with the movie “My Mother’s Wedding.” During their chat, Thomas discussed the emotionally charged narrative at the heart of the film, as well as the challenges in casting due to its semi-autobiographical aspect. When she discovered that Scarlett Johansson would be ideal for portraying Katherine, one of the main sisters in the movie, Scott Thomas made a direct call to discuss the opportunity personally. As she shared with The Hollywood Reporter:

After much deliberation, we finally identified the perfect actress for the role of Katherine. With Scarlett, I simply gave her a call. However, I was under a tight deadline as I was working on Slow Horses, and I knew she had little time to spare too. So, I hastily explained (and I’m notorious for this), that a script had been waiting patiently for her attention, urging me to read it repeatedly with its persistent reminder, “Read me! Read me!

It appears that a personal phone call might have been the most effective method to deliver the script to Johansson, given that she’s likely inundated with scripts as a renowned actress like the one who starred in “Lucy.” Being a smaller film, Johansson may not have anticipated a payday similar to what she received for movies like “Black Widow” or her other blockbuster hits. However, this movie offered a unique script and an intriguing challenge for the versatile actress who has already accomplished much. It seems that the phone call piqued Johansson’s interest, leading her to read the script, and she was eager to accept the role. Scott Thomas recollected:

I asked Scarlett if she could quickly read through something for me and give me a yes or no answer. The next day, she called back saying she was eager to help out. From that point on, things moved smoothly, and everything seemed to fall into place perfectly. It was an amazing experience.

It seems that Scott Thomas managed to secure Johansson’s role at an opportune moment, given her notoriously packed schedule. It appears the script had a profound impact on Johansson, who hasn’t been part of a film like this in quite some time. For context, “My Mother’s Wedding” revolves around three sisters reuniting in their hometown as their mother marries for the third time following two widowings. The bond between the sisters deepens after they lead separate lives marked by different experiences. Scott Thomas, who was also responsible for writing the film, aimed to explore themes of motherhood and sibling relationships shaped by shared hardships. It’s likely that Johansson resonated with the story, given her own role as a mother.

I’m really excited to catch this film, especially since Scarlett Johansson is tackling an English accent, which promises to be fascinating. In addition, the movie features Sienna Miller and Emily Beecham as two other sisters, both of whom are captivating on screen. Given its impressive cast and compelling narrative, My Mother’s Wedding seems like a hidden gem that I can’t wait to explore further and see how the lead actress stretches herself in a new role.

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2025-08-12 04:08