Scarlett Johansson says she's 'basically made a career out of being second choice'

Scarlett Johansson is such a hit in Hollywood that she was nominated for two Oscars this year. In August, she topped Forbes’s list of the highest-earning actresses for the second year in a row.

But she doesn’t always feel like such a success, like when she initially lost the significant role of Black Widow. She ended up taking over for Emily Blunt, after Blunt dropped out for scheduling reasons.

Scarlett Johansson says she's often second choice. (Photo: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Scarlett Johansson says she's often second choice. (Photo: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

“The best call you can receive is after you are rejected for something and then you get it. You appreciate it more,” Johansson told Parade in an interview given before the coronavirus pandemic. “I’ve basically made a career out of being second choice.”

The Ghost World star has played Black Widow since Iron Man 2 in 2010. After having appeared in Avengers and Captain America flicks, the character is scheduled to headline her own Marvel movie in November, after being pushed back from May 1.

Johansson, who’s been acting professionally since childhood, said she’s never been entirely comfortable in her job.

“I’ve never felt that I had both feet out, you know?” she said. “I never imagined having another career, but there were definitely times when I felt like I should try something else in the industry.”

Still, she said that if her 5-year-old daughter, Rose, wanted to act, it would be fine with her. (Rose’s dad is the actress’s ex-husband Romain Dauriac.)

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost are engaged. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)
Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost are engaged. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

The famously private star even talked a little about fiancé Colin Jost.

“What you see is what you get with him,” she said of the Saturday Night Live cast member. “He’s very optimistic, easygoing, funny, nice, and those are the qualities that really drew me to him.”

No word yet on when they’ll wed. When Johansson was asked about a date, she said simply, “no comment.”

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: