Photo credit: Neal Preston ©2011 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

By: Debra Wallace

All of us have moments in life when we are brave and others when we are feeling more timid. These days, Scarlett Johansson says she is literally able to walk into the lion's den.

And so she did for Fox's holiday family movie, We Bought A Zoo, about a grieving widower, and father of two, [played by Matt Damon], who moves his 14-year-old-son and seven-year-old daughter to an old zoo in southern California.

He then takes them on the adventure of their lives, complete with some 75 animals, An African Lion, Zebra's, Bengal Tigers, North American Grizzly Bears, camels, porcupines, baboons, ostriches, capuchin moneys, and more.

While they are renovating and hoping to open the zoo, they find a new family of animal caretakers, including head zookeeper Kelly Foster, played by Scarlett, who helps the family pick up the pieces.

The premise of the movie, based on a book about the Mee family, is to encourage people to pursue their dreams, no matter how far-fetched they seem, and Scarlett shares that ability to be fiercely tenacious and never give up, in the wake of insurmountable odds, so she was inspired by the family and their story.

During a recent chat on a frigid winter day during the excitement of the holiday cheer, Johansson spoke about having the guts to pursue your dreams, helping mankind, loving animals, and the family atmosphere of her movie, We Bought A Zoo.

While most actors believe that working with animals or children can be overwhelming, Scarlett said that both were a breeze during We Bought A Zoo. "It was a blissful experience."

We Bought A Zoo Director Cameron Crowe, who is best known for his films Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous, says that his leading lady was perfectly cast. "Scarlett brings great humanity to the role that conveys Kelly's ferociously protective spirit. Kelly is going to fight and save that zoo and its animals."

The movie is about love, life, loss and creating an extended family with the one's you hold dear -- all perfect year-round life lessons and an ideal way to usher in the holiday spirit.

Q: Your character, the head zookeeper Kelly Foster, literally goes in the lion's den. Do you ever feel fearless like her?

Scarlett Johansson: Do I feel fearless? Sure, I have moments of it -- I have moments if insane bravery, and other moments where I feel less brave.

Q: What is your bond like with your animals, you were talking about your affection for your dog earlier.

SJ: They [my animals] are like my family.

Q: Who do you like better -- people or pets?

SJ: [Laughed]. It depends on the day.

Q: So, you are a major animal lover?

SJ: Actually, before this I went to, Tippi Hedren's big cat rescue [sanctuary] on my own. And it was so incredible; it was an amazing experience. But yeah, I have a dog, and I grew up with cats. I love animals.

Q: What are the challenges of working with animals -- especially lions and tigers and bears?

SJ: It's hard to work with animals, of course. Because they're not on the same routine, exactly! And you never know what to expect. They're unpredictable. But we all had such this deep respect for all of the animals working on the film.

Q: Please tell me more.

SJ: It wasn't like everybody stood around eating their Subway sandwiches when like the lion comes out of the cage. But there was sort of this community of people that had such high respect for the animals being there. And it was this kind of relaxed sort of environment. I think it's captured in the film. And it just seemed like everybody that we were working with, were all animal lovers! It was like everybody on the set was respectful and enthusiastic. And loving towards the animal community that was part of the film.

Q: You are such a grounded person. How do you stay that way in this difficult business?

SJ: I live a private and modest lifestyle. And I'm proud of the work that I do.

Q: You have often played the femme fatale, so was it great for a change to be in a movie where you're not judged by your looks?

SJ: Contrary to popular belief, I had more makeup on in this film, than ever before. One of the main attractions for me in playing this role, was actually the fact that I was playing a woman who had her own life. And that it didn't depend on anybody else. She's a kind of forward moving and motivated woman, whose passion has nothing to do with, you know, where she's going to find her next date. Or who her next romantic interest is.

Q: How did that attract you as an independent woman?

SJ: It was the fact that the romance in this film is sort of the product of the story, I think is a really beautiful thing. There's a different kind of romance that happens in the film. And that has nothing to do, with just two people finding one another. I think that's what attracted me.

Q: This is not a love story per se, but touches on emotional subjects.

SJ: I certainly think this film has a lot of love in it. But it's complex. These are real people who are dealing with grief. They're dealing with finding their own identity. They're struggling to make human connections.

Q: Did you ever think about starting a business outside of show business?

SJ: There are a lot of things that I'd want to pursue, and hopefully eventually will. You know, when all this falls apart! I work with a lot of nongovernmental organizations, and I think it would be nice to perhaps if I started my own work, to dedicate myself and more of my time to that.

Q: How do you envision this?

SJ: I think it would be nice to have a vineyard. Somewhere! And you know, have an organic farm, or something like that. Um, it's just like a hippy dippy kind of wish!

Q: Do you have any special holiday plans or holiday traditions that mean a lot to you?

SJ: I'm half Danish, so we have a real Danish celebration. We open presents on the 24th of December and have a big house party with great food on the 25th.

Q: You have been filming your next movie, The Avengers, in New York. Have you had any free-time to shop, chill out or see the decorations?

SJ: That would be nice. [Laughed] But right now I am working like crazy. So, I'm just going to have a little holiday break and then back working.

Q: So I see that this movie really struck a cord with you?

SJ: Yes, it did. And I think that films historically, have always been an opportunity for people to seep into two hours of someone else's life, and someone else's adventure. It doesn't always have to be gloom and doom to reflect like mirrors of truth.

We Bought A Zoo opens Friday, Dec. 23