Samantha Morton, a two-time Academy Award nominee, has spoken about the lasting impact of being replaced by Scarlett Johansson in the Spike Jonze-directed film "Her." Morton, 49, was originally cast as the voice of Samantha, the AI operating system that forms a central relationship in the 2013 movie. She recorded her vocals for the role, but was later recast in post-production, with Johansson rerecording the part. "Her" went on to receive five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.
In a recent interview on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, Morton described the experience as still "hurting." While acknowledging a director's prerogative in the final cut, she expressed surprise and sadness at the decision. "The time I had on set with Joaquin [Phoenix], working with Spike on the script and finding Samantha, and all the work that we did was really special," Morton stated. She recounted recording her voice in unconventional spaces, like a phone booth or the trunk of a car, and suggested her interpretation of the character, which included an English accent, was distinct.
Morton acknowledged Johansson's talent, stating, "Scarlett Johansson - I mean, come on," but expressed a wish for an opportunity to re-record her performance with an American accent. "A little sad would be an understatement," she said of being fired from the project.
Critical Acclaim for 'The Odyssey'
Despite the past disappointment, Morton has recently garnered significant critical attention for her role as Circe in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey." Her performance, which spans only 10 minutes, has been lauded as a masterpiece by critics and fans. Nolan himself reportedly expressed strong admiration for her work on set, with a producer noting that his reaction was reminiscent of the impact Heath Ledger had during the filming of "The Dark Knight," for which Ledger received a posthumous Oscar.
This praise has fueled Oscar buzz for Morton, who has previously been nominated for "Sweet and Lowdown" (1999) and "In America" (2002). A win for her brief but impactful role in "The Odyssey" would mark her first Academy Award.
Reviews for "The Odyssey" have been overwhelmingly positive, with many publications awarding it five stars. The Daily Mail's Brian Viner described the film as a "glorious cinematic experience, a triumph both of story-telling and movie-making."
Industry Challenges
Morton also shared that she has not worked in a year since filming "The Odyssey." She attributes this gap to the changing dynamics and "politics of the industry," suggesting age may be a factor despite her belief in her acting abilities. "I do believe I'm a good actor, there are other good actors out there," she said, noting that the industry landscape has shifted considerably over her 30-year career.