The “underwritten” 2008 role Scarlett Johansson was better off without: “There’s nothing for me to do”
Scarlett Johansson said Silken Floss was underwritten in the original script for the 2008 film *The Spirit*, leaving her with little to do. After she met director Frank Miller, he expanded the character, and Johansson joined because she wanted to take part in his vision.
The article presents the episode as part of a wider pattern of female characters being poorly written or sexualised, citing Johansson’s criticism of Black Widow’s portrayal in *Iron Man 2*. Despite Miller’s changes, *The Spirit* was a box-office failure: it made about $39 million against a production budget of $60 million.
- Johansson felt Silken Floss was underwritten.
- Frank Miller expanded the role after meeting her.
- *The Spirit* earned about $39 million on a $60 million budget.
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The Spirit is a 2008 film directed by Frank Miller, based on a comic-book hero created by Will Eisner. Scarlett Johansson played Silken Floss, a scientist who works with the film’s villain.
An underwritten character has too little to say or do in a story. Johansson has also spoken about how women’s roles can be limited or presented mainly for their appearance, including her early portrayal of Black Widow in Iron Man 2.
The film’s commercial performance is one measure of how it was received: it took about $39 million at the box office, against a reported production budget of $60 million.