Imagine having your spouse as a mandatory co-star in every film you make. This quirky scenario seems to be a reality for Scarlett Johansson and her husband, comedian Colin Jost. Johansson, the famed actress known for her role as Black Widow among other notable performances, recently made a playful comment about her husband being a regular fixture in her films due to their prenuptial agreement.
The revelation came during Johansson’s appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" where she discussed her newest film, "Fly Me to the Moon," set against the backdrop of the 1960s Space Race. With a laugh, she said, "Greg Berlanti, who was our director, is a huge fan of Colin’s. And Colin, I think he had to do it because it’s, like, in our prenuptial agreement." She continued humorously, "If I ask him to do something, he has to be there to support me. He has to be in every one of my films."
This isn’t the first time Johansson has shared amusing anecdotes about Jost. Married since October 2020, the couple welcomed their first child together, son Cosmo, in August 2021. Johansson also has a daughter, 9-year-old Rose Dorothy, from her previous marriage to French journalist Romain Dauriac.
Initially meeting on the set of "Saturday Night Live" back in 2006, Johansson and Jost rekindled their connection romantically in 2017. Jost, a comedian and writer known for his work on SNL, even proposed in what Johansson described as a "very James Bond situation," adding, "He’s very charming and very thoughtful and romantic."
The partnership between Johansson and Jost extends beyond their personal lives into their professional spaces as well. Johansson often runs lines with Jost, though she finds his commitment to rehearsing both hilarious and frustrating. "I run lines with him which is great," she mentioned on "The Tonight Show." "You’d think that would be very convenient because you have a partner there to help you out. You learn your lines for tomorrow or whatever." But it doesn’t always go as smoothly as planned. "He really commits to the line reading. It’s not always the performance I want it to be," she said, laughing.
The film "Fly Me to the Moon," directed by Greg Berlanti, stars Johansson and Channing Tatum. Johansson plays Kelly Jones, a New York-based PR professional tasked with boosting NASA’s public image, while Tatum’s character, Cole Davis, is a NASA flight director. Adding an extra dash of charm, Jost makes a brief but memorable cameo as requested by Berlanti. "Do you think Colin would want to do it?" Berlanti had asked Johansson. "Greg and Colin, they have a great rapport and they’re both comedy writers. I was like, ‘I’m sure if you ask him, I’m not going to ask him,’" she shared.
Channing Tatum, who shares the screen with the couple in "Fly Me to the Moon," admired the chemistry between Johansson and Jost, noting how delightful it was to see them work together. "I was like, ‘Oh, you guys are cute,’" Tatum remarked during an interview with PEOPLE. The film, set to debut on July 12, explores themes of love and ambition during one of America’s most iconic eras, the Space Race.
Not limited to directorial and rehearsal support, Jost also brings a sense of humor to their marriage. In a recent "Weekend Update" segment on SNL, he joked nervously about ChatGPT’s new voice assistant feature inspired by Johansson’s AI character in "Her," quipping, "Which I’ve never bothered to watch, because without that body what’s the point of listening?" His co-host Michael Che tricked him into making the joke, causing Jost to squirm but laugh at the same time.
The idea of having spouses so intertwined in each other’s careers might seem daunting to some, but for Johansson and Jost, it appears to be an asset. Johansson’s affection for Jost’s enthusiasm is evident, even if it drives her a bit mad during rehearsals. "He remembers all my lines," Johansson joked, "Months later, he’ll say them back to me. I’m like, ‘You’re a crazy person.’"
This delightful peek into the couple’s lives offers a refreshing blend of humor, love, and mutual respect. They manage to balance their high-profile careers while supporting each other both on and off the screen. Johansson’s playful remarks about their prenup might be jokes, but they also highlight a unique dynamic that endears them to their fans even more. As we look forward to seeing "Fly Me to the Moon" in theaters, it’s clear that the chemistry between Johansson and Jost extends beyond their personal lives, resonating charmingly in their professional collaborations as well.
The couple’s ability to find humor in their daily interactions and the professional respect they share create a compelling narrative that fans and moviegoers adore. And as Johansson once said, "When someone tells you they want to share the rest of their life with you, it’s a lovely, special thing." Perhaps that’s the real secret to their enchanting connection — a blend of humor, respect, and the willingness to be there for each other in every film, every scene, and every line rehearsal.
