James Gray Shares Insights on Scarlett Johansson’s No-Show at ‘Paper Tiger’ Premiere in Cannes
At the Cannes Film Festival, where some attendees have expressed concerns about a lack of major studio films, the absence of Scarlett Johansson from the premiere of Paper Tiger was particularly striking. During the film’s ten-minute standing ovation, director James Gray attempted to connect with Johansson via a FaceTime call, but reports indicate that the call was unsuccessful.
In a press conference later, Gray shared a letter from Johansson, who did not specify the reason for her absence but expressed her apologies.
Johansson’s statement read, "Working with James and this extraordinary cast was one of the great pleasures of my career. I feel so fortunate to have been part of a story so deeply rooted in what matters most: human connection, identity and the way our values evolve across generations. I’m sorry I can’t be there with you today. James, I know you are reading this right now and this part will make you genuinely queasy. My apologies. But I want you to know how much it means to me to have been part of something that you created with such care and intention that came from the depths of your artistic soul. The consideration and sensitivity towards the human condition in this film is so evident on screen, every frame of it, and I am so extraordinarily proud to have been part of it. To everyone watching and writing about this film, thank you for sitting with our story. Cinema has this rare and remarkable power to connect us to one another through a shared experience. It happens in the dark, where we can’t see each other’s faces, and yet somehow we can feel each other’s presence, each other’s empathy. That collective empathy is something we could certainly use more of right now."
Gray’s reading of Johansson’s letter was accompanied by social media posts reflecting on her absence from the Cannes premiere.
In additional news, director Mike Flanagan’s forthcoming adaptation of The Exorcist has been promoted as a standalone story, separate from the existing franchise. Johansson’s prior commitments reportedly required adjustments when she joined the project late last year.
Finally, Johansson recently made her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, which premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
