One is a Hollywood star known for her sex appeal, while the other is a critically acclaimed actress who has twice been nominated for an Oscar.
Yet it appears both Scarlett Johansson and Samantha Morton were in competition for the same role on the new movie from Adaptation director Spike Jonze.
In fact, Samantha had already completed work on the film Her before it was revealed that the scenes were to be altered to have Scarlett in the role instead.
Switched: Scarlett Johansson has replaced Oscar-nominated actress Samantha Morton in the new movie Her
Director Spike Jonze – responsible for Where The Wild Things Are and Being John Malkovich – confirmed the switch around to moviefone on Friday.
Explaining the intriguing re-shuffle, he praised Samantha for being ‘amazing’ on set, though clearly not what he had in mind.
‘Samantha was with us on set and was amazing. It was only in post-production, when we started editing, that we realized that what the character/movie needed was different from what Samantha and I had created together.’
Sex appeal: Scarlett Johansson made an impact wearing this risque costume in Iron Man 2
Critically acclaimed: Samantha Morton, seen here in Synecdoche, New York, is an internationally renowned actress
Adding: ‘So we recast and since then Scarlett has taken over that role.’
Ironically, the name of the character is Samantha.
The much-talked about film stars Joaquin Phoenix as a man who falls in love with his Siri-like operating system named Samantha, which is said to be now voiced by Scarlett Johansson.
Not much else has been revealed about the mysterious film, which will also star Amy Adams and Rooney Mara.
Re-cast: Scarlett Johansson has taken over from Samantha Morton in the movie Her due out later this year
Trying to downplay any controversy about Samantha’s scenes having been cut, the director did his best to make the decision sound amicable.
‘I love Samantha. I’ve been friends with her forever and I hope we make lots of things together in the future,’ he wrote in an e-mail.
Unfortunately, it’s not the first time that Minority Report actress Samantha has seen a role promised to her passed over to an arguably more bankable movie star.
Impressive: Samantha Morton in the acclaimed 2009 film The Messenger starring Woody Harrelson
The 38-year-old actress had been selected to play the lead role in the Diane Arbus biopic Fur before it was given to Nicole Kidman instead in 2006.
In 2020, Samantha told the Guardian Newspaper: ‘It’s more about women like Nicole Kidman wanting roles that are meant to be for me. Movie star actors have their people look at Oscar-worthy films for them. They are looking for that nomination, which is more likely to come in a lower-budget film.’
The outspoken actress added: ‘before you know it they have Nicole Kidman doing your film because they’ve said to the director, ‘You can have $50m if you have her.’ So you get used to it.”‘
Blonde ambition: Scarlett Johansson in the 2009 romantic comedy He’s Just Not That Into You
She was also attached to star in a role alongside Phillip Seymour Hoffman in the movie Capote, which eventually was played by Catherine Keener.
However, she later starred opposite the actor in the film Synecdoche, New York.
Scarlett, as well as juggling modelling contracts with the likes of Dolce & Gabbana is set to reprise her role as Black Widow in both Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Avengers 2.
