Motherhood ‘very inspiring,’ says Scarlett Johansson

SCARLETT Johansson says having a child means she now has to work less, “and that might make me more discerning [in my choices].” photo: Ruben V. Nepales

Looking trim and sporting short hair that becomes her, Scarlett gushed in this chat at the Disney lot in Burbank, California, “Having a child is a huge life event. It’s such a different life now in the best possible way. I hope it will increase my understanding of myself, which will enrich my work.”

Added the blooming mother who married Romain (a French journalist-turned-advertising executive) last year, “Eventually, I will have to work less. That might make me more discerning [in my choices]. We’ll see.”

Scarlett stressed her decision to work less to raise Rose: “I have a greater responsibility now. That will definitely affect my schedule. My choices used to affect only me. Now, I’m responsible for somebody else.”

The actress, who plays Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” was paired with Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk/Bruce Banner) in this interview. They have an easy rapport, which registers onscreen—Black Widow is the only one who can “tame” The Hulk. Their much-welcome quiet moment in “Ultron” reflects this chemistry.

“They’re the outsiders of ‘The Avengers,’ if there’s such a thing,” Mark said of the two characters’ bond, which director Joss Whedon jokingly described in an interview as similar to that

THE BOND between Scarlett and Mark Ruffalo’s characters is similar to that of “Beauty and the Beast.” photo: Ruben V. Nepales

of Beauty and the Beast. “They didn’t plan on being superheroes or soldiers, or anything like that. Then we find them in this wonderful moment where they ‘normalize’—with each other. They’ve gotten to know each other. They sit, drink and it’s comfortable. For a moment, they think they are normal, and can have a relationship together.

“The reality of who they are, and the situation, tear apart that fantasy. That’s how I see it. They’re perfect for each other. And they will end up together.”

“I agree,” Scarlett chimed in. “Mark and I share the same feeling about these characters. We understand that this relationship could exist in such a beautiful way and in a totally different time and place. Everybody has had this experience. It’s like a question of bad timing and that’s what they are experiencing.

“The fact that Natasha can tame the beast probably comes from some maternal feelings that she has. Now, she can use or share these feelings with The Hulk. It probably feels good for her.”

When the pair was asked what powers they have in real life, Mark was quick to answer. “I can disappear into the world in a way that most actors probably can’t,” he dished with a laugh. “I can walk into a subway and not be recognized at all, which at this moment in time is a feat. That’s my superpower—to disappear at will.”

SHE PLAYS Black Widow in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” The actress has the power to charm people, says costar Mark Ruffalo.

Teased that maybe disappearing into a crowd when you are a knockout like Scarlett is impossible, she countered, “You’d be surprised, actually. People think I’m a lot taller. They’re always looking above me.”

Mark cracked, “Yes, where’s Scarlett?”

Super charm

When Scarlett said, “I don’t know what my power is,” Mark gallantly volunteered some of his costar’s extraordinary abilities: “You have the power to charm… you’re a super actress.”

“I can remember a lot of lines at one time,” Scarlett volunteered with a chuckle. “Like… many pages. That’s always been a bit of a power. And I make a mean frittata! So, there you go.”

The pair was asked about their connection to technology, which created the movie’s villain, Ultron.

“I’m interested in technology,” Mark replied. “There’s a lot of innovations that are happening very quickly. It’s interesting that Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking said we should stop the unfettered technological revolution flowing into Artificial Intelligence (AI) because they believe that once we get into AI and weaponry, that could be the end of the world or the end of mankind in the world. And 150 other scientists signed that letter.

“It’s interesting that this movie deals so much with the same question. There are wonderful things for us in the future. But I don’t use technology to excess.”

TO MARK, The Hulk feels like an outsider.

“I’m a technological dimwit,” claimed Scarlett. “I have no capability with technology. There are people in the world who have some kind of negative ion thing where everything they touch frazzles, breaks and stops functioning. That’s me.”

Mark said with a grin, “It’s weird. When you see her walk down the street at night…”

“The streetlights…” Scarlett said.

“They just go out,” Mark remarked. “It’s really wild.”

“I kind of have a static circle around me constantly,” Scarlett professed. She referred to a 1995 movie about an albino boy who has unique powers: “It’s like ‘Powder.’ Remember that movie?”

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