Scarlett Johansson faced her long-standing fear of cockroaches while filming Jurassic World Rebirth in isolated jungle settings, an experience she recently detailed as part of the production’s unique challenges. The revelation about her phobia came during discussions about how filming on location—and the unexpected presence of jungle creatures—presented hurdles not just for stunts, but in everyday moments on set, placing the Scarlett Johansson cockroach phobia Jurassic World nexus squarely in the spotlight.
Facing Deep-Seated Fears Amid Exotic Filming Locations
During interviews about her upcoming role as mercenary Zora Bennett in Jurassic World Rebirth, Johansson described how shooting in remote locations such as Thailand forced her to confront her most intense phobia. While the physical challenges of the production included scaling steep cliffs and managing dangerous terrain, Johansson explained that insects posed a far greater problem for her than great heights.
“The heights is not, like, my greatest phobia. My greatest phobia is cockroaches, and there were plenty of those, too – but not on the abseiling wall.”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actor
Discussing the filming environment, Johansson pointed out that Thailand was known for its remarkable wildlife, which led to frequent encounters with various creatures. She specifically recalled unnerving experiences at the coffee station, which was not immune to the hazards of jungle life.
“You’d be making coffee at the coffee table and then two minutes later (someone would say), ‘You know what they just found at the coffee table? They just got a scorpion.’ And you’re like, ‘What!?’ Like, I was just making myself a coffee right there.”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actor
A Dream Role Realized Amid Ongoing Challenges
Despite having to deal with cockroach sightings and occasional scares with other critters, Johansson viewed her participation in Jurassic World Rebirth as the fulfillment of a long-held ambition. She reminisced about her childhood excitement for the franchise, watching Jurassic Park in theaters at the age of 10, and feeling an immediate connection to the film’s suspense and spectacle.
“It was a childhood dream of mine to be in this movie,”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actor
Recalling her first encounter with the film series, Johansson said,
“Like the entire audience, I was completely transfixed, mesmerized, carried away, terrified, all of that stuff, and it’s part of the formative part of my childhood.”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actor
In her role as Zora Bennett, Johansson leads a group of specialists into dangerous territory on a mission to recover dinosaur DNA from an off-limits island. The production’s demanding schedule took the cast and crew to global locations, including Malta and Thailand, heightening the unpredictable and intense aspects of the filming process.
Personal Growth and Anticipation for Jurassic World Rebirth
Scarlett Johansson’s determination to push through her cockroach phobia while shooting Jurassic World Rebirth demonstrates the unpredictable ways acting challenges can extend beyond the script. Her candidness about her fears and her enthusiasm for joining the Jurassic Park legacy offer new insight into the behind-the-scenes realities faced by actors filming in remote, creature-filled environments. As anticipation builds for the film’s release, Johansson’s journey from captivated audience member to leading star represents a story of persistence and personal growth within one of cinema’s most iconic franchises.
