How do you solve a problem like a diva?
If you're Andrew Lloyd Webber, you scuttle plans for one of America's top actresses to star in a revival of The Sound of Music.
But the pretty princess in question is Scarlett Johansson, and the 21-year-old Match Point star has denied Lloyd Webber's claims that her management team's "ridiculous" demands, such as a request that she have two personal assistants stationed backstage at all times, put an end to her turn as Maria von Trapp.
"It is true that there were some discussions regarding Scarlett and the production of The Sound of Music," publicist Marcel Parisbeau said Thursday in a statement. "But Mr. Webber's statement regarding the demands is extremely exaggerated. Her management team was simply asking for terms that an actress of her stature would ask for.
"The real reason why the negotiations stopped was the run of the play interfered with the production of one of the films she was slated to accomplish."
Lloyd Webber told the Times of London that Johansson's "people were not pro the idea. It became clear that it wasn't going to work because the demands became so ridiculous�? They couldn't understand why she would want to appear in the West End for 10,000 pounds [$18,500] a week when she could be earning $10 million for a movie. It was annoying because I think she really wanted to do it."
The musical revival opens Nov. 14 at the London Palladium. A BBC reality show called How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? will determine which of 10 hopefuls, narrowed down from the 3,000 who answered an open casting call, takes on the role originated by Tony winner Mary Martin on Broadway and reprised onscreen by Julie Andrews. Lloyd Webber said that he's looking for a "quirky, eccentric girl aged 17-21, a tomboy, not a conventional beauty."
The creator of Cats and The Phantom of the Opera told the Times that he thought he'd hit the jackpot with Johansson.
"We had a hysterical lunch which ended in the early hours of the morning," he said. "We were at the top of the Peninsula Hotel and she sang in front of everyone, which was fantastic. She can really sing. I said to her, 'Do you want to do Sound of Music?" She said, 'yes.' We started planning things."
Even without having to take care of the seven von Trapp children, Johansson has plenty on her plate. She inked a deal with Reebok Tuesday to create her own line of athletic-inspired urban wear, Scarlett "Hearts" Rbk. An international ad campaign featuring the onetime Oscar nominee will roll out next spring.
If you can't wait until 2007, Johansson can be seen Friday alongside Hugh Jackman and Ian McShane in Woody Allen's latest comedy, Scoop.