Scarlett Johansson found directing to be a "really rewarding" experience.

The 40-year-old star made her directorial debut with 'Eleanor the Great', the new drama movie starring June Squibb in the title role, and Scarlett has revealed that she loved the challenge of working behind the camera.

The Hollywood star told 'Extra': "I have a different perspective on just the process of, you know, pre-production and then what goes on after we all leave. I think, as an actor, you're hoping that the director sees kind of what you were doing and follows, you know, pulls the right thread and all of that stuff, but you don't know.

"You have no, kind of, control over it and now, you know, having experienced the other side of it, it just gives you, I think, an interesting insight into how people, other directors make their choices and the process that they go through to, you know, make it all happen.

"It's a lot of work, but it can be really rewarding."

Scarlett recently premiered the movie at the Cannes Film Festival, and she relished walking the red carpet with Erin Kellyman and June Squibb.

The actress said: "Just being able to stand alongside Erin Kellyman and June Squibb after the film premiered and feel the warmth of the audience and the love from the audience for the film and for the incredible performances in it, it was such a moving moment.

"And just to see June also so celebrated everywhere we went in Cannes, people were so excited to see her. It was just, it was amazing.

"I'll never forget that moment of just being with those women after the screening and celebrating, you know, with the audience. It was really touching."

Despite this, Scarlett recently revealed that she's "not sure" whether to focus her attention on directing or acting.

The film star doesn't yet know whether her long-term future is in front, or behind, the camera.

Asked if the film marks a new beginning for her, Scarlett told Collider: "I don't know. I'm not sure. I guess we'll see.

"My intention is to work on projects I would go and see, whether they're like 'Jurassic World' or this film. The commerciality of things is also important to me, too. Would audiences want to see this, too? Is this generally interesting? Those are things I look for and focus on and care about. So, we'll see, I guess."

Scarlett - who is one of the best-paid actresses in Hollywood - insisted that she has no intention of retiring from acting.

She clarified: "I'm certainly still an actor for hire -- I want that to be widely printed."