Scarlett Johansson has paid tribute to the late Robert Redford, highlighting the profound effect he had on her understanding of acting. Johansson’s reflections come after Redford’s passing at the age of 89 on Tuesday, focusing on the early days of her career when they worked together on the film The Horse Whisperer.
The movie, which premiered in May 1998, featured Johansson as a young actress of 13 alongside Redford, who directed and starred in the film. She recalls meeting Redford several years before the movie’s release and credits him with shaping her approach to her craft.
Lessons from a Legendary Mentor on Set
Johansson revealed that Redford cast her at age 11 and took time to guide her through her character’s journey every day before filming scenes.
“Bob Redford cast me in the Horse Whisperer when I was 11 years old. Every day before each scene, he would take the time to sit with me and walk me through all of the beats that led my character up until that particular point in the story,”
she shared with Entertainment Weekly.
She added,
“No matter the reality of the days rush, I always felt he had all the time in the world for our work.”
This patient and deliberate mentorship left a lasting impact on her, as she experienced firsthand the calm and creative environment Redford cultivated on set.
The actress further credited Redford with allowing actors the space they need to discover their roles naturally, calling the set
“an environment on set that was calm and precious; a place where actors could make discoveries.”
A Legacy of Generosity and Artistic Vision
Describing Redford as “patient and warm and kind,” Johansson emphasized his generosity and influence on her artistic growth.
“Bob taught me what acting could be, and it was from his generosity and patience that I was inspired to pursue the possibilities of the craft,”
she said.
She also noted how Redford’s passion for fostering creativity led to the founding of Sundance, a renowned platform where filmmakers inspire and learn from one another.
“That same generosity and love of the art inspired Bob’s creation of Sundance, a place where filmmakers learn from one another, inspire one another, and discover one another’s talent,”
Johansson remarked.
In closing her tribute, she expressed deep gratitude:
“Bob, thank you for your belief in me and for your grace and guidance. You inspired so many artists, me included, to go deeper, to stay present, to push creative boundaries, and to explore further, and for that, we are forever grateful.”
The Horse Whisperer and Its Impact
The Horse Whisperer is adapted from Nicholas Evans’s bestselling novel, with a screenplay by Eric Roth and Richard LaGravenese. The story follows a skilled horse trainer, played by Redford, who helps a young girl, portrayed by Johansson, recover from a traumatic accident alongside her horse. The cast also includes Kristin Scott Thomas, Sam Neill, Chris Cooper, Cherry Jones, Dianne Wiest, and Kate Bosworth.
This film marked a milestone in Redford’s career as the first time he directed himself on screen, following his acclaimed directorial debut with Ordinary People in 1980, which earned him an Oscar for Best Director. He later directed other notable films such as A River Runs Through It and Quiz Show.
Johansson’s Own Path as Actor-Director
Now an accomplished actor and director herself, Scarlett Johansson is preparing to release her debut feature film, Eleanor the Great, starring June Squibb. The film is set to hit theaters on September 26, following showings at prestigious festivals including Cannes and the Toronto International Film Festival.
Johansson, widely recognized for her portrayal of Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow) across eight Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, has also expressed interest in directing future superhero films. She told Deadline in May,
“I think the movies that I like, that are big action movies, also have the human connectivity piece.”
She further explained,
“Even producing Black Widow and being a part of the production of that, and the development of the story, and the story between Natasha and Yelena [Florence Pugh]… [there is,] I think, a way of doing it, a way of maintaining the integrity of the idea of human connection, family, disappointment, all of the things that were themes in [Eleanor the Great], and doing it in a giant way in a giant universe — there’s ways of doing that… So, yeah, definitely, it could be, it would be fun.”
