Scarlett Johansson Poses Nude In Asteroid City – Or Was It A Body Double?

Wes Anderson movies are an acquired taste, movies such as Isle of Dogs and The French Dispatch with their absurdist humor are quite a contradiction from other movies in which Scarlett Johansson has recently acted. Now we have Asteroid City, a quintessential Wes Anderson movie with its off-beat scenario and humor but also a controversial nude scene with a top-rated actress.

That Scarlett Johansson would act in a Wes Anderson movie is not surprising, nor is her very brief full-frontal nude role. While Scarlett is careful with her sex symbol status she has been nude before. Most notably in Under Her Skin, a B-movie from about 10 years ago. What is perhaps surprising is that there is doubt it is actually Scarlett Johansson, listed in the credits for the movie is Katy Heffernan-Smith, as a ‘stunt double’. This has led people to believe it is actually Katy standing so very briefly nude in front of the mirror. This believe is strengthened by the fact we do not actually see Scarlett’s face, it is covered by a towel hanging over the mirror. So who is it that is standing nude?

I think it is actress Scarlett Johansson. The shape of the nude body bares a lot of similarities to the actress. The upper thighs, the breasts and the pose with the arms make me think it is her. Comparing the images with that from Under The Skin as well her numerous other roles (including those in which she wore a black catsuit) leaves little doubt in my mind. As it is a Wes Anderson movie the actress knew full well what she was getting herself into. His previous movie The French Dispatch notably featured actress Lea Seydoux nude while performing exercises.

And that is were the confusion might be coming from. Supposedly Lea Seydoux was surprised by the screen time allocated to her nude body. She might not have cared as the number of nude roles of Lea Seydoux ranges into the double digits, but an actress such as Scarlett Johansson might have been more careful. I think footage of Katy Heffernan-Smith was filmed in case Scarlett Johansson disagreed with the artistic merit of a nude scene.

Asteroid City is a great movie, with many peculiar characters. I think it is still possible to see it in some select cinemas.