Scarlett Johansson drew a rapid backlash this week after defending controversial filmmaker Woody Allen.

The 34-year-old actress was asked in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter about her opinions concerning Allen, with whom she worked on three movies: Scoop, Match Point and Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 

In January 2018, Allen’s daughter Dylan Farrow accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was a young girl. The director has repeatedly denied the allegation and has not been charged. Despite this accusation, which came in the midst of the #MeToo movement in Hollywood against sexual misconduct, Johansson said she “believes” and loves Allen and would be prepared to work with him again “anytime.”

“I love Woody. I believe him, and I would work with him anytime,” said Johansson.

“I see Woody whenever I can, and I have had a lot of conversations with him about it. I have been very direct with him, and he’s very direct with me. He maintains his innocence, and I believe him,” the actress added.

Social media quickly lit up with posts slamming Johansson for her comments about Allen.


Following Farrow’s accusation, many actors who previously worked with Allen — like Greta Gerwig, Rebecca Hall and Colin Firth — said they refused to work with the director again. Others like Timothee Chalamet, who stars in Allen’s most recent romantic comedy film A Rainy Day in New York, said they did not want to profit from the film and would donate their salary from the project to several charities, including the Time’s Up organization to combat sexual harassment. A Rainy Day in New York was shelved by Amazon last year after the allegation against Allen arose.

Johansson is next set to star in the World War II comedy-drama JoJo Rabbit alongside Taikia Waititi, Sam Rockwell and Rebel Wilson. The film is due for an October 18 release.