Actress Scarlett Johansson took on the role of director for the first time on the set of her upcoming film, Eleanor the Great, in the lively neighborhood of Coney Island in Brooklyn. The 39-year-old star was seen overseeing the cast and crew, as the film already secured a distribution deal with TriStar Pictures and Sony Pictures Classics, as reported by Variety. During filming, Scarlett worked closely with co-stars Erin Kellyman and June Squibb for a scene involving a car outdoors. Squibb, a 94-year-old actress known for her powerful performance in Nebraska, plays the lead role of 90-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein, who returns to New York City after losing her best friend of seven decades. June Squibb made a stylish entrance to the set wearing a long purple jacket, a matching shirt, and a pair of blue sneakers.
Let’s roll! Scarlett Johansson took on the role of director for the first time as she guided the filming of her debut feature Eleanor the Great in the lively neighborhood of Coney Island in Brooklyn.
The 39-year-old former child star was spotted for the first time on the film set, taking charge as the director of the cast and crew. This film has already secured a distribution deal with both TriStar Pictures and Sony Pictures Classics.
Scarlett was on set with fellow cast members Erin Kellyman and June Squibb for a scene involving a car outdoors. The character in the film was inspired by first-time screenwriter Tory Kamen’s late grandmother Elinore, who passed away at the age of 99 in 2020. Kamen expressed her excitement and gratitude for the script’s journey over the past eight years on Instagram, mentioning her wish for her grandmother to see the project come to life. The 25-year-old British actress, known for her role in the Disney+ series Willow, took on the role of Eleanor’s young friend in the film. June wore a lavender coat while Erin sported a beige leather blazer, white blouse, sweater vest, brown pants, and boots chosen by costume designer Tom Broecker. On set with Scarlett was cinematographer Hélène Louvart, known for her work on various films including La Chimera and Never Rarely Sometimes Always. In a podcast interview in 2022, Scarlett discussed her future in filmmaking, revealing her interest in directing and producing. She aspired to have an office on the Disney lot, describing it as her ideal job. Additionally, Scarlett cast her former Broadway co-star Jessica Hecht, with whom she shared the stage in A View From The Bridge in 2010, a performance that earned her a Tony Award.
Scarlett makes sure that everything is running smoothly behind the scenes of filming Eleanor the Great.
The rookie director discusses with a member of the production team for the first time.
Scarlett Johansson stood next to actress Erin Kellyman during breaks in filming.
The Oscar-nominated actress, who is 94 years old, takes on the role of Eleanor Morgenstein, a 90-year-old woman who relocates to New York City from Florida after losing her closest friend of seven decades. (pictured on January 18th)
Tory Kamen, a novice screenwriter, drew inspiration for her character from her beloved grandmother Elinore, who unfortunately passed away at the age of 99 in 2020.
Kamen excitedly shared on Instagram last Friday, expressing how amazed he was by the success of his script after years of hard work and revisions. He mentioned his grandma Elinore, wishing she could see his achievement, even though she famously didn’t keep up with industry news.
The 25-year-old British actress of mixed heritage, famous for her role in the Disney+ show Willow, portrayed Eleanor’s fresh-faced 19-year-old companion in the film.
June sported a stylish lavender coat, while Erin rocked a chic beige leather blazer paired with a white blouse, a beige sweater vest, loose brown trousers, and some fashionable boots handpicked by costume designer Tom Broecker.
Accompanying Johansson on set was her cinematographer, Hélène Louvart, known for her work on Alice Rohrwacher’s movie La Chimera in 2023, as well as Eliza Hittman’s film Never Rarely Sometimes Always in 2020.
![In 2022, the two-time Oscar nominee revealed on the Table for Two podcast that her future in films would involve directing and more producing, saying: 'My ideal job is a corner office on the Disney lot. Like a little [bungalow]. That's what I want'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/26/19/81740773-0-image-a-36_1708976585174.jpg)
During an interview on the Table for Two podcast in 2022, the double Academy Award nominee expressed her plans for the future of her career in the film industry. She shared her aspirations to focus more on directing and producing, envisioning her dream job as having a corner office in a cozy bungalow on the Disney lot.
Scarlett chose her old Broadway colleague Jessica Hecht (R), who she acted alongside in the award-winning play A View From The Bridge at the Cort Theatre in 2010, to be part of her latest project. Their collaboration on stage earned Scarlett a prestigious Tony Award.
Additionally, Johansson has enlisted the talents of Marvel actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, known for his roles in the Doctor Strange films, for a yet-to-be-revealed part in the upcoming movie Eleanor the Great. The film, being produced by Trudie Styler, wife of Sting, is already shaping up to be an exciting project.
Before, the star of Asteroid City had experience writing and directing a short film called These Vagabond Shoes in 2009, featuring Kevin Bacon. They also worked on the 2015 American Express Unstaged concert with Ellie Goulding.
Johansson has enlisted the talent of Chiwetel Ejiofor, known for his roles in the Doctor Strange movies, for a mysterious role in the film Eleanor the Great. The movie is being produced by Trudie Styler, Sting’s wife. Interestingly, Johansson has previous experience in writing and directing, having worked on the short film These Vagabond Shoes with Kevin Bacon and the American Express Unstaged concert featuring Ellie Goulding. Recently, it was announced that Scarlett will not only star but also produce the upcoming true-crime thriller Featherwood, where she will play the role of Carol Blevins, an FBI informant struggling with heroin addiction. Andrea Arnold will be directing the film.
Johansson enjoyed a hot drink from Starbucks while on the film shoot.
She seemed cheerful as she socialized with the actors and production team.
The entertainer was seen wearing a baseball cap from the New York Yankees.
The double Academy Award recipient appeared determined and focused as she positioned herself behind the camera.
Actress June Squibb was present during filming.
The star who was nominated for an Academy Award was spotted stepping out of her vehicle.
She relied on a walker for mobility.
In the scene, Squibb rocked a stylish long purple jacket, paired with blue sneakers and black pants. Before that, viewers can enjoy Johansson and Channing Tatum’s performances in Jason Bateman’s space-race drama Project Artemis, set in the sixties and set to premiere on Apple TV+ on July 12. The talented New Yorker provided the voice for Elita in Josh Cooley’s animated prequel Transformers One, set to hit US theaters on September 13. Scarlett also portrayed Royal Navy captain Katherine in Kristin Scott Thomas’ directorial debut North Star. Sadly, the film didn’t get a distribution deal after its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 7. On a personal note, Johansson is a mother of two – nine-year-old daughter Rose and two-year-old son Cosmo – from her marriages to her second ex-husband Romain Dauriac and third husband Colin Jost.
