Scarlett Johansson Set to Make Directorial Debut at Cannes 2025 with Eleanor the Great

The Hollywood icon Scarlett Johansson steps behind the camera for her first feature film, a heartfelt drama starring June Squibb, set to premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

Scarlett Johansson is ready for her biggest role yet—behind the camera.
The two-time Oscar-nominated actress will unveil her directorial debut Eleanor the Great at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant milestone in her celebrated career.

In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Johansson, 40, opened up about the emotional weight of premiering her film at one of cinema’s most iconic events. “Premiering in Cannes, I don’t know how I will be able to process the hugeness of it,” she said. “It makes me nervous, but I’m excited as well. I’m very proud of it and proud of all the work everybody did to make it.”

Eleanor the Great follows the journey of a 94-year-old woman, played by June Squibb, who moves from Florida to New York to live with her daughter and grandson after experiencing a personal loss. The film also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Jessica Hecht. Johansson described the production process as a “humongous scramble,” but one she undertook with passion and purpose.

The inspiration behind Johansson’s mix of nerves and excitement—what she affectionately calls “nerve-citement”—is deeply personal. She credits her 10-year-old daughter, Rose Dorothy (with ex-husband Romain Dauriac), as her muse. Johansson also has a son, Cosmo, 3, with husband and comedian Colin Jost.

While shooting the film, Johansson recalled envisioning Squibb walking the famed Croisette red carpet at Cannes. “I said to [producer] Jonathan Lia, ‘If I do my job well, I can imagine June walking the Croisette at age 95, starring in this incredible dramatic role,’” she recalled. “To have it actually become a reality is amazing.”

Eleanor the Great joins a strong lineup of debut directorial efforts at Cannes 2025. Actor Harris Dickinson is also premiering his first film, Urchin, while major titles such as Eddington (starring Emma Stone and Joaquin Phoenix), Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme (featuring Johansson), and Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning are set to screen.

Johansson’s last appearance on screen was in Fly Me to the Moon (2024), and she also lent her voice to the animated feature Transformers One. Following her Cannes debut, she will return to blockbuster territory with Jurassic World Rebirth, hitting theaters July 2.

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival runs from May 13 to May 24.