Scarlett Johansson recently stepped behind the camera for her directorial debut Eleanor the Great, scripted by Tory Kamen. The movie tracks June Squibb as a 94-year-old grappling with loneliness and loss in New York, while honoring real Holocaust survivors in the cast. Yet, Marvel fans cherish Johansson as the fan-favorite Black Widow. In a recent interview at Cannes, she revealed she will not return as the superhero on screen but did hint at an exciting new role in the MCU—one that keeps her close to the action, just not the way fans had hoped.

As Black Widow’s executive producer, Johansson has already got the superhero behind-the-scenes game on lock. Now, the talk is about a fresh Marvel role that is less cape, more synthesizing her love of storytelling with her legendary Marvel heritage.

Scarlett Johansson recently revealed in a Deadline interview at Cannes that she will not be returning as Black Widow on screen but do not count her out yet. When asked about directing a big action or Marvel movie, she said she is drawn to stories blending thrilling action with “human connectivity.” Even while producing Black Widow, she focused on the emotional core between Natasha and Yelena—family, disappointment, and connection. Johansson sees bringing these themes into a “giant universe” as a creative challenge and something "fun" to explore.

Johansson emphasized that the heart of storytelling matters, no matter the scale. Her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, explores themes that are equally resonant as the Marvel movies she had a hand in building. For her, it is not about flashy action alone—it is about preserving “the integrity” of those emotions on screen. While Natasha steps away from the battlefield, Scarlett Johansson seems ready to lead from the director's seat in a new way. Fans should definitely keep an eye on what is next. Her Marvel nod sparked plenty of chatter, but her latest headlining moment happened far from the superhero set.

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At Cannes, she took on a bold new role, and while her lip lock with husband Colin Jost at the premiere had fans feeling the feels, it was what happened during her film’s debut that truly surprised even the most seasoned festival-goers.

Scarlett Johansson stepped into Cannes with a brand-new title- director. Her debut film, Eleanor the Great, premiered at the event, and the response was explosive. According to Variety, the screening ended with a five-minute standing ovation. The crowd clapped, cheered, and did not stop. As the credits rolled, Johansson embraced her 95-year-old star, June Squibb, in a hug that said it all. The moment was heartfelt, electric, and proof that Johansson's leap behind the camera paid off big time.

Before the lights dimmed, Scarlett Johansson introduced the film by calling it “a dream come true.” She told the crowd it was never about money, but about how much everyone "loved the story" — one filled with "grief", "forgiveness", and "friendship". Her words were simple, but they hit home. The film, starring Squibb as a 94-year-old with a bold new spark, clearly struck a nerve. By the end, Cannes was on its feet, and Scarlett Johansson’s directing journey had its perfect launch.

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What do you think of Scarlett Johansson taking the director’s chair in Marvel? Let us know in the comments.