Scarlett Johansson to Lead First Television Series, 'Just Cause' for Amazon

 

by Darian Scalamoni

    When one considers their favorite streaming services, you rarely hear Amazon Prime Video being at the top of that list. The mega online shopper turned entertainment conglomerate has The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Boys and now, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power as their shows of note, however, they've always lacked star power. It seems with the streamer's latest show announcement that times are changing for Amazon.

    According to an exclusive from Deadline, Scarlett Johansson is set for her first role in TV starring in Just Cause based on the 1992 novel written by John Katzenbach. Christy Hall (I'm Not Okay with This) will pen the adaptation that will gender swap the main character from Matt Cowart to Madison "Madi" Cowart, who will be played by Johansson. Cowart is a struggling reporter for a Miami newspaper who is sent to cover the final remaining days of a convict on death row.

    The role is significantly unique to Johansson as her second on-screen role at the age of 10, was in a 1995 feature film version of the novel playing the daughter of the revamped lead character, Paul Armstrong, played by Sean Connery. Johansson, a two-time Oscar nominee will also produce the film under her These Pictures production banner. 

    Johansson has spent most of her time over the last decade playing one of the main Avengers for Marvel as Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow. She first appeared as the character in 2010's Iron Man 2 before succumbing to her death in the highest-grossing film of all-time, Avengers: Endgame. Following that, she led her own prequel film aptly titled, Black Widow in 2021 following the pandemic. Johansson was also lauded recently for Jojo Rabbit and Marriage Story, both performances coming in 2019 and earning her Oscar nominations. The actress is currently filming Project Artemis for Apple alongside Channing Tatum and Asteroid City, the latest from auteur Wes Anderson.