Scarlett Johansson to make directorial debut with Truman Capote's 'Summer Crossing'

Although many had her pegged as just another pretty face early on, Scarlett Johansson has consistently taken on one unexpected project after another. She first drew attention for co-starring in the hilarious comic book adaptation, Ghost World, but it was Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation that made her a genuine star. Of late she's used that to walk in both the indie and blockbuster worlds, appearing in Joseph Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut, Don Jon, and of course she also has a little something to do with The Avengers. Now she's taking on something new, namely stepping behind the camera for the first time.

It's mostly been forgotten, but two years ago word broke that Johansson was eying Truman Capote's lost first novel, Summer Crossing, and now she's been confirmed for the gig. Written around 1943 but was lost until it was discovered in 2004, the story follows a 17-year old Protestant debutante who falls in love with a Jewish parking attendant in summer 1945 New York. Johansson fell in love with the material and has been eagerly pushing to make the film a reality....

Johansson: “Several years ago I began working alongside the Capote estate and writer Tristine Skylar to adapt Summer Crossing, an inspired early work of Truman’s which has long captured my heart. Being able to bring this story to the screen as my full-length directorial debut is a life dream and deep privilege.”

Look for filming to begin early next year.