Scarlett Johansson stripped off for a full-frontal scene in the 2023 film Asteroid City, which made director Wes Anderson so uncomfortable he had to hide. The 41-year-old actress rarely appears nude on screen, with her only other notable scene being in 2013's Under the Skin.
Johansson shot the nude scene for a sequence in the sci-fi film, and Anderson, an Oscar and BAFTA-winning director, could not hide his discomfort on set. The actress said the filmmaker gets tongue-tied when discussing nudity.
Anderson's Discomfort on Set
"Wes is probably the worst person to talk to about anything like that," Johansson told Yahoo Entertainment. "He's so uncomfortable around that topic."
In the film, Johansson plays movie star Midge Campbell, who tells ex-war photographer Augie Steenbeck (Jason Schwartzman) about a nude scene in her upcoming play. She then casually takes off all her clothes to show him, and Anderson reportedly felt so awkward he resorted to making noises and hiding behind his hands.
Johansson added: "There was a lot of throat clearing and [Wes] sort of hiding his face."
A Rare Nude Scene
While Anderson was red in the face as Johansson, named 2013's Sexiest Woman Alive, stood before him in the buff, the actress indicated she felt no discomfort during the rare nude scene.
Anderson is known for directing acclaimed films such as 2009's Fantastic Mr Fox and 2014's The Grand Budapest Hotel.
About Asteroid City
Asteroid City, released on June 23, 2023, unfolds in two realities: one is a colourful desert landscape of Asteroid City, while the other is set in 1950s-era New York City.
Anderson's most recent film, The Phoenician Scheme, received a nomination for a Palme d'Or. It stars Bryan Cranston, Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Tom Hanks and Michael Cera.
