Johansson Misses Cannes Ovation, Director FaceTime's Voicemail

Scarlett Johansson's film "Paper Tiger" experienced a significant moment at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving a seven-minute standing ovation. During this acclaimed reception, director James Gray made a humorous attempt to connect with Johansson via FaceTime, capturing a memorable, albeit unsuccessful, interaction as her voicemail picked up.

Johansson was unable to attend the premiere in the South of France due to her current filming schedule for Mike Flanagan's upcoming "The Exorcist" reboot, which is anticipated for release in early 2027. While Johansson was absent, her "Paper Tiger" co-stars Adam Driver and Miles Teller were present, accepting the audience's praise for the tragic crime thriller.

"Paper Tiger" is described as a thriller set in 1986, focusing on the brothers Gary and Irwin Pearl, played by Driver and Teller respectively. Their entanglement with the Russian mob stems from a botched scheme related to cleaning up the Gowanus Canal. Johansson portrays Hester Pearl, Irwin's wife, in the film.

Gray, a filmmaker with a long-standing association with Cannes, also used the premiere to address the audience, emphasizing the importance of cinema and the festival to the industry. "Paper Tiger" was a late addition to the Cannes lineup, with its inclusion requiring complex contractual arrangements to be finalized. Neon is set to distribute the film domestically.

Beyond "Paper Tiger," Johansson has other major projects on the horizon. She is confirmed for "The Batman: Part II," with speculation pointing to her playing Gilda Dent. This film is expected in the latter half of 2027, on October 1. Johansson's "The Exorcist" reboot is also slated for an early 2027 release.