Johansson Gets Spirit-ed Away
Frank Miller's big-screen adaptation of Will Eisner's classic "The Spirit" franchise just got a lot hotter with the announcement of Scarlet Johansson to the cast. The Hollywood bombshell will reportedly be playing femme fatale secretary, a character with ties to the villain (The Octopus) played by Samuel Jackson, in the upcoming film.
Much like Gwyneth Paltrow, Johansson has the perfect look and frame to play a 1940s period female lead, and should bring the right feel to the character (Paltrow, in fact, might have been a good choice had she not already been playing a similar-yet-different role in Favreau's Iron Man adaptation.) Johansson joins good talent on the project, including the already mentioned Jackson and Gabriel Macht as the lead. Of course, the involvement of Miller is the real draw here, with legions of comics fans eager to see what an adaptation of a classic, period comic through his unique perspective will be.
Why are you bringing up Gwyneth Paltrow?! You got Scarlett Johansson. I've been checking out Darwyn Cooke's version of the Spirit and what I see is more Scarlet than Gwyneth. I don't mean to sound like I'm hating on Gwyneth, I will concede she's a much better actress, but when the shiny Ferrari passes by no one says, "check out the Volvo over there!"
Yeah, you are right. Johansson > Paltrow. Just pointing out they both bring the same kind of qualities.
I'm afraid Miller is too dark, moody, and sardonic to be any part of The Spirit.
If someone offered you a multi million dollar paycheck you'd volunteer to write and direct the spirit too.