Not True Lies, Scarlett Johansson’s Favorite Action Movie of All Time is Arnold Schwarzenegger & James Cameron’s Greatest Contribution to Cinema

Scarlett Johansson is one of the major figures in the Marvel universe. Her work in the MCU has given her exceptional fame and stardom, but she has also given outstanding performances in other projects. Having a resume chock full of awe-inspiring roles, the Academy Awards-nominated actress is also well-known for her love of action movies.

Her, Ghost in the Shell, Marriage Story, The Prestige, and Lucy are just a few of the best films she has acted in. Therefore, she is knowledgeable about what makes a great film, regardless of the genre; Johansson has a decade of experience in action thanks to the MCU.

Scarlett Johansson
In one of her earlier interviews, the Black Widow actress revealed her all-time favorite action movie. The movie is among the greatest contributions to cinema by James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger. And no, it’s not True Lies. Any guesses?

This Classic Action Film Is Scarlett Johansson’s Favorite

Scarlett Johansson was recently seen in Wes Anderson’s comedy-drama film Asteroid City (2023), in which she starred alongside Jason Schwartzman, Tom Hanks, and Jeffrey Wright. The movie did well at the box office, earning over $51 million globally, and also received mostly favorable reviews.

While speaking to Letterboxd during her appearance on the Asteroid City red carpet, the actress was asked to pick her personal favorite films and one choice stands out above the rest: James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
“My four favorite: Auntie Mame with Rosalind Russell, Groundhog Day, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Terminator 2.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator
Given that the second installment in the Terminator franchise is regarded as one of the best science fiction, action, and sequel movies ever made, Johansson clearly has excellent taste.

Cameron had intended Terminator 2: Judgment Day to be the final installment, but it was eventually followed by a number of sequels, including Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation, Terminator Genisys, and Terminator: Dark Fate.

What Is Scarlett Johansson’s All-Time Favorite Role?

Scarlett Johansson‘s involvement with the MCU has grown over the past few years, but she has also achieved success outside of it.

She has amassed a strong filmography that cannot be confined to her Marvel movies. But when asked which character she loved playing the most, the actress admitted that Black Widow holds a special place in her heart and is the one of which she is most proud. Johansson stated to Michigan Avenue Magazine:
“I really like playing Natasha; playing the Black Widow. It’s been an interesting journey, to take a character and grow it over these years, and peel the layers back and be able to, as you do in life, grow with this person. It’s a character that’s really enigmatic and has an amazing origins story, so there’s a lot for me to play off of.”

Scarlett Johansson
Johansson was able to show her affection for the role of Black Widow when she starred in a solo spin-off of the movie in 2021. In an interview with Variety, the Lucy star claimed that Black Widow was more human than the other Avengers because of her vulnerability. To quote her:
“I still think of new ways I could try lines from movies I shot 10 years ago. I really am happy with the work I accomplished in my last decade-plus at Marvel. I feel like I’m going out on a high note with a movie I’m incredibly proud of. I feel like my work with Natasha is complete, if that is such a thing. I’ve explored many facets of her person, and feel that her choice to sacrifice her life for her best friends was one that she made actively and with resolve.”
With a global box office take of over $379 million, Black Widow broke several pandemic records. Even critics gave the movie positive reviews, praising Johansson and Florence Pugh’s acting and the action scenes in particular.
Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow
Johansson will next be seen in the Greg Berlanti movie Project Artemis, also starring Channing Tatum. The film, whose release date has yet to be announced, will be available on Apple TV+.