Scarlett Johansson dazzles in Balmain strapless midi on Late Show outing

Scarlett Johansson turned heads in New York on Monday as she arrived for The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. The 40-year-old actress wore a black ribbed strapless midi dress by Balmain, cinched at the waist with a large gold buckle belt and featuring a back slit. She paired the look with black strappy heels and opted for a bold red lip as she waved to the crowd outside the studio.

The appearance comes as Johansson gears up for the release of Eleanor The Great, which she directed and produced. The film — her directorial debut — premiered at Cannes in May to strong praise, including a five-minute standing ovation from attendees. The drama stars June Squibb and spotlights Johansson behind the camera as she expands her work in front of and behind the lens.

Earlier this week, Johansson reflected on her early work with Robert Redford after his death at age 89. The interview resurfaced as fans mourned Redford; Johansson first worked with Redford at age 13 on The Horse Whisperer, the 1998 drama he directed and starred in.

In an interview on the Today show in 1988, Johansson described how Redford understood her because he was both an actor and a director, enabling a rare connection during filming that she credits with helping her performance.

Deadline interviews in May this year quoted Johansson calling Redford actor-focused and patient, noting he would take time to familiarize her with where her character was at that moment, and the larger story leading up to it.

The Horse Whisperer went on to become Redford's most successful directorial effort at the box office, grossing about 187 million dollars globally on a 60 million budget.

Johansson has since become a director herself, following in Redford's footsteps, and is continuing to promote Eleanor The Great as her Cannes success underscores the film's reception.