Scarlett JohanssonandSamuel L. Jacksonteamed up in the MCU as part of The Avengers, but the duo actually co-starred in a disastrous comic book movie several years earlier. After getting her start as a child actor in the ’90s, Scarlett Johansson quickly transitioned into more mature roles, where she’s continued to be one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Samuel L. Jackson, on the other hand, had a much less meteoric rise, and slowly climbed his way up from bit parts to starring roles over several decades. Stealing the show in films likePulp Fiction, Jackson’s brash onscreen persona has served him well. Jackson and Johansson bothjoined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Nick Fury and Black Widow, respectively.
Co-starring in some of the biggest blockbusters of the 2010s together in the MCU, Jackson and Johansson were often highlights of their respective action spectaculars. While the Marvel films might have helped resurrect the struggling comic book movie craze, the two actors had already co-starred in a comic movie years earlier.
Scarlett Johansson & Samuel L. Jackson Co-Starred In The Spirit
A Classic Comic Character Got A Not-So-Classic Movie
Released the same year asthe MCU-launching film, Iron Man,The Spiritwas the last gasp of the original superhero craze of the 2000s. Helmed by legendary comic book creator Frank Miller, the unorthodox superhero film drew inspiration from film noir, and was particularly inspired by Miller’sSin City,which had premiered a few years earlier.
Both stars perfectly understood the campy tone the movie was going for, and acted accordingly.
Samuel L. Jackson was perfectly cast as the dastardly villain, The Octopus, whose plan of citywide domination must be stopped by the title hero. Starring alongside him as Octopus' secretary and sadistic accomplice,Johansson was also well-cast as Silken Floss. Both stars perfectly understood the campy tone the movie was going for, and acted accordingly.
These parts are an obvious departure from theirmuch larger MCU roles, and the tone ofThe Spiritis completely different from the somewhat self-serious approach used in most Marvel movies. Unfortunately, Jackson and Johansson are given a lot of work to do, andthey are the two actors who do most of the heavy liftingfor the lackluster superhero movie.
What Went Wrong With The Spirit?
Frank Miller struck gold when co-directingSin City, and the movie’s illustrative style was like the gritty comic book brought to life. Sadly,that style didn’t translate toThe Spirit, and its tone was divorced from its visuals.The Spiritwas supposed to be a campy and fun ride, but the visuals suggest it’s a dour crime thriller.
Miller also co-directedSin City: A Dame to Kill Forin 2014, but it was not as well-received.
The script itself was poor, withmany unnecessary monologues that slow the pacing down. Ultimately,The Spiritis too different from its source material to do it justice. Frank Miller is known for his dark reimaginings of classic comic characters, but it didn’t work.Scarlett JohanssonandSamuel L. Jacksondo their best, but they couldn’t saveThe Spirit.
