Quickly, the author and director managed to cast Scarlett Johansson as the protagonist, an American student in London who develops feelings for an aristocrat (played by Hugh Jackman) in the movie “Scoop” (2006). Sadly, the film failed to gain much attention upon its release.
Scarlett Johansson took on a new role in the film industry by starring in Brian De Palma’s adaptation of James Ellroy’s complex and multi-dimensional noir book, “The Black Dahlia” (2006). The movie’s plot revolves around two hard-boiled detectives (Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart) who become deeply invested in their pursuit to solve the brutal murder of a budding actress (Mia Kirshner), which ultimately leads them into a sinister world of fixation, unethical behavior, and aberrant sexual acts.
Johansson yet again showcased her acting prowess by playing a captivating and clever female character who could entice men even if they were hesitant. Unfortunately, the film did not receive favorable feedback from critics.
Overcoming a setback, she made an impressive comeback with her 2006 hit movie “The Prestige”. The film is set in the Victorian era and tells the story of two rival stage magicians (played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale) who compete to become the best in their profession. However, their feud leads to disastrous consequences that are sure to keep audiences captivated. “The Prestige” received rave reviews, cementing her position as a successful filmmaker.
Moving forward to the 1930s, Johansson contributed as a supporting cast member in the big screen version of Oscar Wilde’s “Lady Windermere’s Fan”. The movie was later renamed to “A Good Woman” in 2006, but unfortunately failed to perform well.
Although she was recognized as a sex symbol by popular men’s magazines such as Maxim and FHM, the actress remained grounded and focused on her career. She decided to take on roles in movies that weren’t targeted towards a male audience. One of her successful projects was the comedy film “The Nanny Diaries” (2007), which was adapted from a best-selling book. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t meet expectations and didn’t perform well in theaters.