During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, the Oscar-nominated actress reflected on being replaced by Scarlett Johansson as the voice of Samantha in Spike Jonze’s “Her,” a role she originally performed throughout production before it was recast in post-production.
Samantha Morton Says Losing ‘Her’ Was Painful Even If She Understood the Decision
Before Scarlett Johansson became the voice audiences associated with Samantha, Morton had already spent months shaping the character alongside Joaquin Phoenix during production. Although the performance was ultimately replaced in post-production, the actress said the creative process itself remains something she values.
Looking back on the change, Morton admitted the news was difficult to process. “I was surprised and a little sad would be an understatement,” she recalled, adding that collaborating with Phoenix and director Spike Jonze on developing the character was “really special.”
Morton also acknowledged that her interpretation differed from what ultimately appeared on screen. “I think my version of Samantha was very ‘she’s English.’ It was just very, very different,” she said, suggesting that her performance took the AI in another creative direction before Jonze opted to recast the role during editing.
Despite the disappointment, the actress expressed admiration for the performer who eventually took over. “I think Scarlett Johansson has a beautiful voice. She’s incredibly evocative. So I got it, but I was sad.” Her comments echoed previous remarks that, while she wished she had been given another opportunity to adjust her performance, she recognized that the final creative decision belonged to the filmmaker.
The recasting became one of the defining behind-the-scenes stories surrounding “Her,” which went on to earn widespread acclaim, receive five Academy Award nominations, and win Best Original Screenplay for Jonze. Johansson’s vocal performance became one of the film’s most celebrated elements, while Morton’s unseen contribution has remained a fascinating footnote in the making of the modern sci-fi classic.
The star’s latest comments come as she enjoys renewed acclaim for her performance as the sorceress Circe in Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” The blockbuster has become one of the year’s biggest critical and commercial successes, introducing the veteran actress to a new generation of moviegoers while prompting fresh interest in pivotal moments from her decades-long career.