Hollywood loves a good rivalry story. We’ve seen it for decades—tabloids pitting leading ladies against each other like it’s some kind of high-stakes gladiator match for the limited "female lead" slots. But when you look at Scarlett Johansson and Elizabeth Olsen, the reality is actually the polar opposite of the drama people try to manufacture.
Honestly, it’s refreshing.
They didn't just share a screen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; they basically navigated the "boys' club" of early superhero cinema together. You’ve probably seen the memes or the red carpet photos, but the actual depth of their professional respect is something most casual fans totally miss.
Why the Arrival of Elizabeth Olsen Changed Everything for Scarlett
For a long time, Scarlett Johansson was the "token" woman on the Avengers roster. Think back to 2012. It was Natasha Romanoff and a sea of testosterone. Scarlett has been vocal about how lonely that felt, describing it as "holding down the fort" alongside Cobie Smulders.
Then came 2015’s Age of Ultron.
When Elizabeth Olsen joined the cast as Wanda Maximoff, the vibe shifted. Scarlett didn't see her as "the new girl" or a threat to her screen time. Instead, she described Olsen’s arrival as a moment where the franchise finally "calibrated."
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In a 2021 interview with SiriusXM, Scarlett was incredibly candid about this. She admitted she was "amazed" by what Elizabeth was doing. She didn't just praise her acting; she specifically pointed out how hard it was to create a character like the Scarlet Witch "out of nothing." While Scarlett had batons and hand-to-hand combat to ground her performance, Elizabeth had to wiggle her fingers at blue screens and make us believe in magic. Scarlett famously said it "put her to shame."
That’s not the kind of thing you say about someone you’re secretly feuding with.
The Disney Lawsuit: A Rare Moment of Public Solidarity
If you want to know who your real friends are in Hollywood, watch what happens when you sue a major studio. In 2021, Scarlett Johansson filed a landmark lawsuit against Disney over the streaming release of Black Widow. It was a massive, messy, public legal battle that made most of her male co-stars—men she’d worked with for a decade—go completely silent.
Disney’s response was harsh, calling the lawsuit "callous." The industry held its breath.
Elizabeth Olsen was one of the only Marvel stars to speak up.
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While others stayed quiet to protect their future paychecks, Olsen told Vanity Fair quite bluntly: "I think she’s so tough, and literally when I read that I was like, 'Good for you, Scarlett.'"
She didn't hedge her bets or use PR-speak. She understood the contractual nuances because she was in the same system. That moment of public support did more to prove their bond than any "besties" Instagram post ever could.
Different Paths, Same Work Ethic
Even though they're often grouped together because of the MCU, their career trajectories couldn't be more different.
- Scarlett: The Child Star Pro. She’s been doing this since she was a kid in North (1994) and The Horse Whisperer. By the time she hit Marvel, she was a seasoned veteran of both indie darlings like Lost in Translation and massive blockbusters.
- Elizabeth: The Indie Breakout. Despite her famous last name, she stayed away from the spotlight until her breakout in Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011). She’s always had a bit of a "theatre kid" energy, focusing on psychological depth and often choosing darker, more intimate projects like Wind River or Love & Death.
What links them is a total lack of ego on set. Both are known for being "total professionals" (Scarlett’s words again). They don't show up with a 20-person entourage or demand the spotlight. They just do the work.
The "Rivalry" That Isn't
Social media loves to compare their looks, their "power levels" in the movies, or who has the better IMDB page. It’s a waste of time.
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If you watch their joint interviews from the Infinity War or Endgame press tours, you see two people who are genuinely comfortable. They aren't performing friendship for the cameras. They’re usually just laughing at how absurd it is to be wearing spandex and capes in their 30s.
Elizabeth has even mentioned feeling lucky to witness the connection Scarlett has with people like Chris Evans, but she’s carved out her own space. She isn't trying to be the "next" Black Widow; she’s busy being the first Elizabeth Olsen.
What We Can Learn from the Johansson-Olsen Dynamic
The biggest takeaway here isn't just "they're friends." It's about how women in hyper-competitive industries can actually thrive by supporting each other instead of competing.
Here’s the breakdown of what actually happened:
- Recognition: Scarlett recognized that having more women on set made her job easier and the story better.
- Validation: Elizabeth validated Scarlett’s legal battle when it was professionally risky to do so.
- Space: Neither tried to occupy the same "archetype." One was the grounded spy; the other was the mystical powerhouse.
Next Steps for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking to follow their lead or just want to see more of this energy, here’s how to dive deeper:
- Watch the transition: Re-watch Avengers: Age of Ultron specifically looking at the scenes where Natasha and Wanda interact. There’s a subtle passing of the torch in terms of "female energy" in the team.
- Support the Indie Work: Check out Marriage Story for Scarlett and His Three Daughters for Elizabeth. It’s where they really flex the muscles they don't always get to use in superhero movies.
- Ignore the "Versus" Narrative: Next time you see a "Who’s better?" poll, remember that the actors themselves find that line of thinking pretty ridiculous.
The bond between Scarlett Johansson and Elizabeth Olsen isn't about being inseparable BFFs who text every hour. It’s about a deep, professional solidarity that changed the landscape of the most successful movie franchise in history. And honestly? That’s way more interesting than any fake drama.