Scarlett Johanson
Actress Scarlett Johansonn has reportedly rejected funding from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for an upcoming film.
The actress was supposed to star in a movie about Pulitzer prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario, which was going to be directed by Ridley Scott.
In an interview with the New York Times, Addario said Johanson's call to reject funding was made before the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Saudi officials last week said Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, was killed in a fist-fight at its consulate in Istanbul.
German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said he welcomed Austria's proposal for a joint European position on arm exports to Saudi Arabia, he told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk (DLF) on Friday.Germany's government has agreed to not deliver weapons to the country at the moment, he said in an interview during a visit to Turkey, adding that the effect of that decision would be stronger if European countries adopted a common position.Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor said on Thursday the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate this month was premeditated, reversing previous official statements that the killing was unintended.Business with Turkey must remain possible Germany has an interest in Turkey not becoming unstable, Altmaier told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk (DLF) during a trip to Turkey, on which he was accompanied by a delegation of German business representatives."I have defended the interests of German companies here that say: 'We feel insecure in our activities in Turkey'," he added.Turkey takes statements of 38 Saudi Consulate employeesTurkey only allowed to take water sample from well at Saudi consulateSaudi crown prince presides over committee to restructure intel agencySaudi Arabia says Khashoggi murder premeditated
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“Scarlett Johansson said absolutely not,” Addario told the New York Times on Wednesday. “She said: ‘This guy is perpetuating the war in Yemen. He has women in prison.’”
The photojournalist noted the reason bin Salman wanted to be a part of the film was a part of a larger "charm campaign" which would make the West believe the crown prince was interested in American culture.
Bin Salman went to Hollywood in April, and met with movie stars and studio executives, including actor Dwayne Johnson and Oprah Winfrey.
"A pleasure to have a private dinner with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman," Johnson said in an Instagram post after meeting bin Salman.
Johanson has previously come under fire for quitting the charitable organization Oxfam because of her rejection of the Boycott, Sanctions, and Divestments movement.