“It’s one of the most successful films of all time” — Scarlett Johansson critiques the Academy for snubbing Avengers: Endgame for Oscar nominations

Scarlett Johansson critiqued the Academy for snubbing her 2019 film Avengers: Endgame for Oscar nominations, in her recent cover story for Vanity Fair, which was published on May 14, 2025.

The actress expressed disbelief to the media outlet, saying the Marvel film performed well at the box office, and should've gotten a Best Picture nomination. For the unversed, Avengers: Endgame is the second highest-grossing film, earning $2.8 billion worldwide. The film was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards.

"How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar? It was an impossible movie that should not have worked, that really works as a film, and also, it's one of the most successful films of all time," the actress stated.

Scarlett Johansson appeared as a presenter at the 2025 Oscars. She told Vanity Fair that the awards show was too long when the interviewer asked if she was referring to the James Bond tribute, performed by Raye, Blackpink's Lisa, and Doja Cat; she refused to comment.

However, the actress stated it felt like an "ad placement." She said at the after-party, everyone allegedly expressed confusion over the tribute performance.

"No comment. It felt like an ad placement. What a weird thing. People were like, 'What the hell was that?'" Scarlett Johansson said.

Scarlett Johansson will be making her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great

On May 12, Scarlett Johansson told Deadline in an interview that she was moved to tears when she read the script of Eleanor the Great. The actress also shared that she rarely cries, but she cried while reading the script for the 2019 film Jojo Rabbit.

"When I read it, I cried, and that almost never happens. Sometimes you'll read a script that's really moving. When I read Jojo Rabbit, I cried. Sometimes a script will move you like that, which is extraordinary," she said.

Eleanor the Great is written by Tory Kamen. It follows the life of a 90-year-old woman who becomes friends with a 19-year-old student in New York City. It stars Oscar-nominated actress June Squibb, along with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht, and Erin Kellyman.

 

 

 

 

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In her Vanity Fair cover story, Scarlett Johansson said the script reminded her of the 1998 comedy drama Living Out Loud, and she could relate to the script.

"It reminded me very much of those independent films from the '90s like Living Out Loud. I could identify with that part of the story. If I didn't, it would be more challenging, I think, and maybe not totally appropriate for me to direct it," Johansson stated.

Scarlett Johansson shared that she faced difficulty financing the film. She stated that people asked her to make the film one year later, and she had to insist since June Squibb is in her 90s.

"Independent finance people would go, 'Oh, you want to make this next spring?' I was like, 'No, I don't know if you heard me. The lead actor is 94. She's up to make this now," the actress said.

Eleanor the Great will be premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2025.