Speaking of Vicky Cristina Barcelona, the movie’s two biggest stars, Scarlett Johansson, failed to make it to the film’s big premiere at Cannes because the studio refused to give in to her demands:

They were willing, and happy, to pay for flights, hotel, provide a limousine, arrange for designers to show her gowns and for her to share hair and make-up designers with Cruz and Hall.

However, Johansson demanded her own exclusive make-up consultant at a cost of 5,000 Euros a day, which was felt a tad too much for a four day trip where looking after the star’s tresses and powdering her nose would cost a total of 20,000 Euros.

Then there was the problem over an hotel.

The film’s director and his leading ladies were delighted to be staying in the centre of Cannes to make it easier for them to attend screenings, public events and to do interviews for TV and press.

Johansson wanted to be at an hotel way out in the sticks, some 25 to 30 miles away.

Excessive. We’re Woody would have been “delighted” to put Scarlett up in his room. But, oh what snappage. No one gave a poo that Scarlett wasn’t there to stare blankly into cameras:

“Nobody cared she wasn’t there”, snapped a prominent New York socialite as she noted, approvingly, that Cruz looked stunning in a low-cut gown designed by Marchesa while Hall, daughter of theatre legend Sir Peter Hall, was sparkling in a tumbling silk creation by Alberta Ferretti.

Penelope is a designer-clad angel who coos indecipherable haikus into the ears of approving socialites, whereas Scarlett is nothing but a husky-voiced, pillow-lipped, voluptuous… Uh.

Where are we?

Scarlett Johansson misses shining moment at Cannes after studio refuses demands [Daily Mail]