James Gray Reads Johansson Apology, Paper Tiger Debuts
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- James Gray attempted to call Scarlett Johansson during the Paper Tiger premiere at Cannes, but the call would not connect.
- Scarlett Johansson was absent from the premiere because she was filming Universal’s new radical remake of The Exorcist.
- Scarlett Johansson sent a written apology, which James Gray read at a press conference, praising the film’s focus on human connection and empathy.
- Paper Tiger, starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller, received a ten‑minute standing ovation at its Cannes debut.
- The Guardian and other outlets (Deadline, IndieWire, Variety) reported on the film’s critical reception and Cannes star‑absence controversy.
Why it matters: Paper Tiger’s ten‑minute ovation gives its producers a clear box‑office boost, while Johansson’s apology helps preserve her star power amid Cannes‑wide criticism of star absences.
