What do Scarlett Johansson, Allen Iverson and Donovan McNabb have in common?
Inexplicably, the four-time Golden Globe nominee (“Match Point,” “A Love Song for Bobby Long,” “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” “Lost in Translation”) will join the Philadelphia 76er and the Philly Eagles quarterback in endorsing Reebok.
Okay, guys. Who made this brilliant marketing call? And who was the runner-up, Patricia Arquette?
No question the talented buxom blonde actress oozes sex appeal onscreen. Just ask Scarlett's "Match Point" director Woody Allen. Their second film, “Scoop,” opens July 28 and he told reporters last year that the pillow-lipped starlet is so divinely sexy that she’s been “touched by God.”
But let’s face it. Johansson's voluptuous image is way more bedroom than weight room. She just doesn’t fly as a fitness role model. Certainly not when compared to buffer babes like "Charlie's Angels" Cameron Diaz, "X-Men"s Famke Janssen, "Fantastic Four" femme fatale Jessica Alba or even Tomb Raider Angelina Jolie.
Miss Scarlett won’t be appearing in Reebok's "When Did I Know" campaign or in the “I Am What I Am” campaign which has featured the equally uninspiring and unathletic-inclined actresses Maggie Gyllenhaal and Christina Ricci.
Wonder if Reebok knew that a few years ago Ricci's former Hollywood trainer - who shall go unnamed - fired her, making her the only actress client he's ever dumped, because she smoked cigarettes between workouts and missed her morning training sessions due to late night partying.
Come to think about it, the only Reebok poster actress who made sense was Lucy Liu. She'd at least been a believable kick-butt babe in films like “Charlie’s Angels” and “Kill Bill” and looks like she might wear Reebok sneaks and duds somewhere other than a photo shoot.
Anyway, Miss Scarlett's multi-year contract will have her posing for "Scarlett “hearts” Rbk," a "fashion-forward athletic-inspired footwear and apparel collection" aimed at the international sportswear company's young female customers. The line will debut in spring 2007 in high-end department stores and boutiques.
According to new prez/chief executive officer Paul Harrington, Reebok will make marketing changes after being gobbled up by Adidas earlier this year. So expect fewer music figures like Nelly, Jay-Z and 50 Cent and more pretty Hollywood faces like Johansson.
There is one consolation to their latest choice.
At least Reebok chose a healthy-looking actress with a body fat level over 10% and didn't sign up one of Team Anorexia's bony babes Nicole Richie, Kate Bosworth, Mary-Kate Olsen or Keira Knightley.
Photo Credits: Woody Allen admires Scarlett's astonishing athletic achievements at the LA "Match Point" premiere.
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau
Photo Credits: Wonder if Reebok saw Scarlett's graceful sprints on the set of "The Nanny Diaries" before they signed her to a multi-year contract?
WireImage/James Devaney
