Scarlett Johansson Reflects on Being Typecast After ‘Lost in Translation’, Bill Murray’s On-Set Behavior, and Growth Through Adversity

May 15, 2025 : Scarlett Johansson opened up in a new interview with Vanity Fair about being pigeonholed into “sex object” roles following her breakout performance in Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film Lost in Translation, which she starred in at just 17 alongside Bill Murray.

“After Lost in Translation, every role that I was offered for years was ‘the girlfriend,’ ‘the other woman,’ a sex object — I couldn’t get out of the cycle,” Johansson recalled. “It sort of felt like, ‘Oh, I guess this is my identity now as an actor.’”

She added that her representatives at the time failed to help her break out of the mold. “They were reacting to the norm. The industry worked like that forever.” Reflecting on her early years in Hollywood, Johansson said, “You come into your sexuality and your desirability as part of your growth… then you suddenly turn around and you’re like, ‘Wait, I feel like I’m being’ — I don’t want to say exploited because it’s such a severe word… but yeah, it was a kind of an exploitation.”

In discussing the production of Lost in Translation, Johansson also touched on her dynamic with co-star Bill Murray, noting he was “in a hard place” at the time. “Everybody was on tenterhooks around him, including our director and the full crew,” she said, referencing the uneasy atmosphere on set.

However, Johansson said Murray has since changed, describing a recent encounter during the SNL50 anniversary event as a positive one. “He’s such a different person now. I think life has humbled him,” she said. This transformation, she noted, includes accountability for past behavior — including the 2022 incident on the set of Being Mortal, which resulted in production being halted. Murray admitted he kissed a female colleague through a mask, calling it an attempt at humor.

“Certainly, yes — that was really bad,” Johansson said, acknowledging the incident. “But I also know COVID was a hard thing for him… How wonderful that people can change.”

Despite the challenges, Johansson said she remains proud of how she handled herself on the set of Lost in Translation. “I really just did the work, you know? It’s a good tactic for pushing through stuff. Eyes on the prize.”

For the full interview, visit Vanity Fair’s website.