Scarlett Johansson stunned fans on Monday night when she graced the TIFF red carpet for the premiere of her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, with her rarely-seen back tattoo on full display. The 40-year-old actress looked stunning in a blush-pink Valentino gown with spaghetti straps and an open back that showcased her intricate ink. She completed the look with diamanté earrings, silver rings, a smoky eye, and a pink lip, her blonde hair slicked back into a chic bun. She was joined by the film’s star, June Squibb.
Scarlett’s back tattoos, consisting of a vine with roses and a small lamb motif, have rarely been seen by the public. First revealed in August 2017, she showcased the tattoo publicly at the 2018 Met Gala. She’s also reported to have a hidden Avengers tattoo, which she got alongside her castmates.
Eleanor the Great marks Scarlett’s debut as a director, telling the story of Eleanor Morgenstein, portrayed by June Squibb. The film follows 94-year-old Eleanor’s move from Florida to New York City after the death of her best friend, leading her into a world of lies as she joins a support group of Holocaust survivors.
Scarlett shared that she felt a personal connection to the project due to its themes, such as the Jewish identity and intergenerational relationships, which resonated with her. “I felt I could film it. ‘Actually, I think I can direct this,'” she said.
June Squibb praised Scarlett’s natural ability behind the camera, noting that her experience as an actress gave her a unique insight into directing. “With her knowledge as an actress, she knew immediately what I was doing,” June remarked.
The film also features real Holocaust survivors, something Scarlett felt was essential for the authenticity of the story. “It wasn’t really ever a question of whether we would cast real survivors,” she explained.
Behind the scenes, Scarlett was supported by her husband of five years, Colin Jost. She confirmed that Jost would be returning to Saturday Night Live amid major cast cuts and expressed a desire to guest star on the show again. “I think that’s basically the MO over at 30 Rock is that everything is like moments before,” she said with a smile.
