At the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where some have expressed discontent over the scarcity of studio films and, consequently, the absence of star-studded casts, the notable absence of Scarlett Johansson from last night's premiere of 'Paper Tiger' stirred intrigue. As the film received a rousing 10-minute standing ovation, director James Gray, according to reports and social media videos, attempted to reach out to the actress via phone. However, the call either failed to connect or he was unable to get through.
One report suggested that the actress's absence was due to her being in the midst of filming Universal's radical remake of 'The Exorcist,' a project first reported by Deadline. During today's press conference, Gray took a moment to read a letter from Johansson, in which the actress apologized for her absence without offering a reason.
Here's the full statement:
"Working with James and this extraordinary cast was one of the greatest joys of my career. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of a story so deeply rooted in what matters most: human connection, identity, and the way our values evolve across generations. I'm sorry I can't be there with you today. James, I know you're reading this right now, and this part will make you genuinely queasy. My apologies. But I want you to know how much it means to me to have been a part of something that you created with such care and intention that came from the depths of your artistic soul. The consideration and sensitivity towards the human condition in this film are so evident on screen, in every frame, and I am so extraordinarily proud to have been a part of it. To everyone watching and writing about this film, thank you for sitting with our story. Cinema has this rare and remarkable power to connect us to one another through a shared experience. It happens in the darkness, where we can't see each other's faces, yet somehow we can feel each other's presence and empathy. That collective empathy is something we could certainly use more of right now."
Director Mike Flanagan's version of 'The Exorcist' has been billed as an entirely new story, unconnected to the previous franchise. Johansson's schedule was a challenge that she had to navigate when she took on the project late last year.
