Scarlett Johansson has said she signed up to film The Other Boleyn Girl with Natalie Portman before seeing a script or reading the novel, because she was so keen to act alongside Natalie.

Scarlett told Vogue recently: “I first became involved because Natalie was doing it. She’s a wonderful actor, just a great scene partner.”

“I guess I had never really worked with a young woman my age. She’s so professional. And she’s not pretentious or anything, just a really nice girl. It also helped that she’s from New York.”

Natalie was similarly impressed with Scarlett: “The thing about her is she’s an amazing actress. You look at her and instantly believe you are in the place you are; she makes it immediately real.”

“She’s so supportive and giving and passionate about her work. She’s really direct about everything she wants or feels, whereas I am a little more timid.”

“It’s so rare that we get to work with actresses our own ages. You can relate at a friend level: We’re at the same places in our lives; we were able to talk about boyfriends and go out dancing.”