Actress Samantha Morton has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of being replaced by Scarlett Johansson in the Oscar-winning film Her, admitting that the experience 'hurt' and that she was 'surprised and a little bit sad'.
Morton's Role in Her Was Recast
In 2013, Morton was cast as the voice of Samantha, the AI character in Spike Jonze's critically acclaimed film. She recorded her lines alongside Joaquin Phoenix, who played the lead. However, during post-production, the role was recast with Scarlett Johansson, who ultimately received screen credit and went on to win a BAFTA for her performance.
Speaking on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, Morton reflected on the experience, acknowledging that directors have the final say on their films. She noted that being replaced is a risk in any project, especially for supporting roles, and that she had learned not to get 'too excited' about any part.
Reaction to Being Replaced
Despite her understanding, Morton admitted the decision was difficult to accept. 'I was surprised and a little bit sad would be an understatement,' she said. She described her time on set with Spike and Joaquin as 'special', but noted that her version of Samantha was more English, whereas Johansson's take was 'very, very different' and American.
Morton expressed a wish for another chance to record the role with an American accent, but she also recognized the caliber of her replacement: 'It's Scarlett Johansson, come on.'
Career and Industry Challenges
Morton, now 49, has had a distinguished career, including two Academy Award nominations, a BAFTA fellowship, and a Golden Globe. Her recent role as Circe in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has been widely praised, but she acknowledged the challenges of working in an industry that often sidelines older women.
'I haven't worked for a year since making The Odyssey,' she revealed. 'I've got really good agents and a manager, but at the end of the day, I'm 49. I do believe I'm a good actor, but there are other good actors out there. The politics of the industry have changed massively.'
Personal Loss and Resilience
Morton also spoke about recent personal grief, including the death of her older sister in April this year at age 53, just 18 months after the loss of her biological father. She told the Sunday Times: 'I am still dealing with the coroners and the trauma. I lost my real father 18 months ago. Trauma. So the past is always with me and I'm not saying I'm not going to be all right next week, but every day I wake, say a prayer and say "Please help me".'
Despite these challenges, Morton remains optimistic about her future, expressing confidence that she will work into her 80s and gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with Nolan.
