Scarlett Johansson, renowned for her captivating performances on screen, recently opened up about a surprising fear that haunted her during the filming of “We Bought a Zoo” — birds.

In an interview with New York magazine, Johansson confessed, “I’m only scared of birds. Something about wings and beaks and the flapping. I’m terrified of them. That still hasn’t gone away. My uncle is terrified of birds, as well, so it runs in the family.” This fear led her to worry about potential challenges while working on her latest project.

Despite her apprehension, Johansson displayed remarkable professionalism, expressing her willingness to confront her fear if necessary. She remarked, “If they’d asked me to put a bird on my shoulder I would’ve done it, but it would’ve been hard.” Even the presence of peacocks on set proved daunting for the acclaimed actress, with Johansson admitting, “I was terrified of them. Like, ‘Ahh, don’t get too close.’ They’re like, mean.”

Interestingly, Johansson’s revelation about her fear of birds comes hot on the heels of teasing her co-star Matt Damon about his own phobia of snakes. At the New York premiere of the film, Johansson humorously recounted Damon’s nervousness around the slithery creatures, claiming he even shed a few tears during a scene involving them.

“He was definitely sweating a bit, and maybe the sweat formed in the corner of his eye,” Johansson recounted. “I said, ‘Matt, these kids are practically juggling the snakes. Hold it together.'”

Damon, however, admitted to his fear, stating, “I’m afraid of snakes. And I got bullied into interacting with them by Scarlett and the kids.”

In a twist of irony, nudging Johansson toward a cockatoo might have been the perfect revenge, showcasing the playful camaraderie among the cast. Despite their fears, both actors displayed remarkable professionalism, delivering stellar performances in “We Bought a Zoo.”