Scarlett Johansson appears to be everywhere this days. This weekend alone, the husky voiced actress has not one, but two movies premiering in theaters – she reprises her role as Black Widow in the next installment in the Marvel cinematic universe in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and headlines the dark science fiction indie Under the Skin in limited release, which bowed on the festival circuit last fall to equal parts controversy and acclaim. All this on the cusp of her acclaimed, voice-only work in the recent Best Picture nominee Her, a performance championed by many for a historic should-have been awards contender, it’s a wonder the star had any time left over to showcase her ass-kicking skills in Luc Besson’s latest thriller Lucy, which premiered its first trailer.
Johansson, who has already showcased ample physicality within her Marvel tenure, stars as the title character in this science fiction mind-bender about a drug mule who gains superhero strength (and intelligence) and loses patience for the guys around her. At first glances of the trailer, the influences seem widely abundant – recalling the Bourne franchise and more than a few titles in the Besson filmography. Besson, who last directed the 2013 comedic misfire The Family with Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, has a strong track record of showcasing ass-kicking women included in cult favorites like La Femme Nikita, Léon: The Professional, The Messenger and The Fifth Element. Lucy may mark a stylish return to form for the French auteur who in recent years has become more synonymous for producing the Taken and Transporter franchises. Oscar winner Morgan Freeman co-stars.
Johansson, on the other hand, is continuing her very busy career renaissance – she has a small role in the upcoming comedy Chef, starring and directed by her Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau, and continues her Marvel duty with 2015’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron and a potential solo Black Widow spin-off film. Lucy opens on August 8th.
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