Key Insights

Here are the key insights and takeaways from the interview:

1. Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut is “Eleanor the Great” starring June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Jessica Hecht, and it was a “humongous highlight” to premiere at Cannes.

   • This film is slated for release in the fall.

2. Jonathan Bailey’s blue eyes in “Wicked” are tied to a lyric in “The Duet” (“you’ve got me singing through different eyes”), signifying a character evolution.

   • This is a specific narrative choice rather than a cosmetic one, and the lyrics offer a clue to its meaning.

3. Both Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey performed all their singing live during filming for their respective projects.

   • This highlights a commitment to authentic performance and a challenging production process, with both actors experiencing moments where they “forgot to put her click track on” (echoing a famous Top of the Pops incident).

4. Jonathan Bailey is currently listening to a 90s playlist featuring artists like Ultronate, Snap, Acid House, and Jamiroquai, inspired by a nostalgic album his DJ father owned called “Dance to the Max.”

   • This provides a glimpse into his current musical taste and influences, framed by a personal connection.

5. The viral AI-generated “Jurassic World” trailer featuring Scarlett Johansson with a dinosaur having her ponytail led to widespread speculation about her involvement in the franchise.

   • Johansson humorously confirms she “actually turn[s] into a dinosaur… at some point in the evening,” but not in the film, and relates it to her “dirty martini” recovery.

6. Scarlett Johansson hosted the “Today Show” for a week and considers it her “favorite job of all time” (aside from acting).

   • She has hosted seven times and received a jacket at her fifth hosting.

7. Scarlett Johansson is not on social media because it’s “just not her thing” and she finds it a “different world.”

8. Jonathan Bailey has a deep, special bond with “Jack,” the horse he rode in “Bridgerton” and subsequently recommended for the role of Fierro in “Wicked.”

   • He emphasizes Jack’s expertise and recommends him to director John Chu, highlighting the intricate communication and trust developed between them.

9. Jonathan Bailey learned to do a front walkover during gymnastics as a child and performed it in “Wicked.”

   • He jokingly suggests he could do a back walkover after a “dirty martini.”

10. Jonathan Bailey’s glasses in “Jurassic Park: Dominion” were a deliberate stylistic choice by director Stephen Spielberg, inspired by Cary Grant.

    • The glasses were made by Qubits, a brand Bailey had worn for years, creating a personal connection to the character’s look.