DB7

Johansson in Tudor love triangle

Staff and agencies
Tuesday July 18, 2006

Losing her head for Henry ... Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson is to star as Anne Boleyn's sister in the high-profile drama The Other Boleyn Girl, which portrays a ferocious rivalry between the two siblings for the heart of Henry VIII.

She joins Natalie Portman, who will play Anne, and Eric Bana who will portray the English king. The film is adapted from the historical novel of the same name by Philippa Gregory.

The Other Boleyn Girl will be directed by Justin Chadwick, whose previous work includes the recent BBC TV adaptation of Bleak House. The screenwriter is Peter Morgan, who is no stranger to Henry VIII since he wrote a two-part TV series about the English king with Ray Winstone in the title role.

Filming will begin this autumn in London. The film will be released in 2007.

Scarlett Johansson will next be seen in cinemas as the star of Scoop, the Woody Allen comedy about sleuthing journalists in London.

David Brent

As good an actress as Scarlett Johansson is, does she really fit the part for a British period piece?
Its another instance of film companies feeling they cannot make a "British" film without the obligatory American actor appearing in a starring role.
Phoney Brit accent and all.
Also Eric Banana as Henry VIII ??? I suppose he'll play him as a tough guy with a hint of an Aussie/Yank twang.

Arn't there any adequate British actors available these days?

Dave.

penfold

One thing I hate doing is pre-judging films before I've seen them....but this casting does sound mighty peculiar. Are we sure this isn't a Woody Allen spoof??

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

Ebikeme

Scarlett Johansson must be the most prolific actress in Hollywood, these days. I do like her, even though I think she is quite odd looking. And she is an excellent actress, so I believe she can pull it off. But I do agree some Brits would have been nice. :blink:

WiseFilms

Why is it that Aussie's, Brit's, and even the French, do better" American" accents than we can of them. Suppose it's easier always to copy blandness? I'd like to hear a scotsman try and manage a Minnosota accent though, that'd be funny...