The upcoming project will be written and directed by Carney, who was also the writer-director of the 2006 independent film "Once" that will be adapted for the stage and is set for the New York Theatre Workshop's 2011-12 season.
"Can a Song Save Your Life?" is set in New York and tells the story of a washed-up A&R man who forms a passionate bond with a young singer-songwriter (Johansson) from out of town. Johansson will sing a number of songs in the film that is scheduled to begin shooting in New York next year.
Johannson won the Tony Award in 2010 for her performance in A View From the Bridge. She has appeared in numerous films including "Iron Man 2," "He's Just Not That Into You," "The Nanny Diaries" and "Lost in Translation."
