Johansson talks about two 'Mary' roles

NEW YORK, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. actress Scarlett Johansson admits she's still working out how her character in "The Other Boleyn Girl" relates to her part in "Mary Queen of Scots."

Both of Johansson's characters -- Mary Boleyn and Mary Queen of Scots -- played important roles in 16th Century British history.

While promoting "The Other Boleyn Girl" in New York Monday, Johansson talked about the coincidence of returning to roughly the same era for a second film.

"I'm starting production for 'Mary Queen of Scots,' which is kind of interesting because it's some time later, but the same bloodline," she explained. "I guess I'll be playing a distant cousin of myself or something. I have to think about that for a minute. It's a little bit twisted."

Johansson said a major reason she wanted to do "The Other Boleyn Girl" was to work opposite actress Natalie Portman who plays her character's sister, Anne.

"I was a huge fan of Natalie's," Johansson said." I always loved her choices and performances. And I'd never had the opportunity to work on such an even playing field with a peer, being able to play siblings. It was a great opportunity for both of us."