Scarlett Johansson Suing Over Novel

Scarlett Johansson is reported to be taking legal action against the publisher of a French novel for using her name without authorisation.

The Hollywood star is claimed by Le Figaro to be seeking damages and compensation from publisher JC Lattes for "breach and fraudulent use of personal rights", plus a ban on "future transfer of rights and adaptations of the book".

The book, The First Thing We Look At by Gregoire Delacourt, features a passage in which one of the characters is described as resembling Scarlett so much that a male character confuses her for the star.

It also sees other characters compared to Ryan Gosling and Gene Hackman.

The author defended himself by saying: "This corresponds with the fantasies of our times. All these famous people live with us.

"But I wrote a book of fiction. My character is not Scarlett Johansson, it is Jeanine Foucaprez!"

And he explained that he had selected Scar-Jo because he considers her the "epitome of beauty today".