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Scarlett Johansson Credits Robert Redford With Inspiring Her Directorial Debut

She told The Late Show that watching him direct The Horse Whisperer shaped the approach she brings to Eleanor the Great.

Overview

  • Johansson made the remarks on the Sept. 22 episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert while promoting her first film as a director.
  • She recalled observing Redford on the 1998 set when she was 11, saying his calm, patient guidance showed her how a director steers both performances and large-scale scenes.
  • Johansson described Redford as warm and generous, noting he walked her through each scene and helped her understand acting as a craft.
  • Robert Redford died on Sept. 16 at age 89 at his home in Sundance, Utah, according to his publicist, who did not disclose a cause.
  • Eleanor the Great premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and is scheduled to open in theaters on Sept. 26.