Why Michael Bay Rejected Scarlett Johansson’s Topless Idea

One movie that often gets overlooked in Scarlett Johansson’s storied career is Michael Bay’s 2005 science fiction thriller The Island. The film, which features an impressive ensemble including Ewan McGregor, Djimon Hounsou, and Sean Bean, centers on a man living in a strictly controlled, sterile environment.

As he begins to doubt the authenticity of his world, he uncovers a horrifying conspiracy: he and his peers are clones, created solely to serve as a living organ bank for the elite. While the movie is a high-octane blend of action and dystopian themes, Johansson reportedly had a significant disagreement with Michael Bay’s directorial vision during production.

The conflict centered on a romantic scene between her character and McGregor’s. To maintain the film’s PG-13 rating, production handed the actress a black bra to wear for coverage, a decision she found entirely illogical for the context of the story.

Johansson argued that the wardrobe choice was a distraction from the film’s attempt at realism. She felt that performing the scene without the undergarment would be more natural, leading to a standoff with the director.

Bay recalled that when he eventually tracked her down to her trailer, she was quite vocal about her distaste for the costume options. According to Bay, she stated I’m not wearing this cheap… bra and suggested she should go without it, to which he had to remind her that the rating requirements left him with little choice.

The actress maintained that it was highly improbable for a person to be wearing a structured black bra while sleeping. She voiced her frustration by pointing out that women don’t normally sleep in a bra and argued that waking up in such a garment was ridiculous for the scene.

Her perspective was rooted in the desire for her character to feel human and authentic, even in a stylized sci-fi setting. Ultimately, Bay’s need to satisfy the Motion Picture Association of America won out, as a higher rating would have drastically limited the film’s commercial reach.

While Johansson’s point about the absurdity of movie-logic wardrobe was valid, the strict regulations of major studio releases often prioritize age ratings over absolute realism. This clash remains a notable example of the creative friction that can occur when an actor’s pursuit of authenticity meets the rigid constraints of a blockbuster production.

Since her time on that futuristic set, Johansson has become one of the most powerful figures in the industry, recently making a highly praised directorial debut with the 2025 comedy-drama Eleanor the Great.

The film, which stars June Squibb as a 94-year-old navigating a late-life friendship in New York, earned Johansson a nomination for the Camera d’Or at Cannes. She is also currently celebrating the massive box office success of Jurassic World Rebirth, which grossed over $868 million and revitalized the long-running franchise.

In addition to her directorial work, she is keeping a packed schedule. She is set to lead Mike Flanagan’s upcoming The Exorcist: Martyrs and will be joining the cast of The Batman: Part II.

Have something to add? Share your thoughts in the comments.