Actress Scarlett Johansson, star of director Woody Allen's new film "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", poses at the film's premiere in Los Angeles August 4, 2008. [Agencies]

Scarlett Johansson thinks acting is "harder for women". The 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' actress - who stars alongside Penelope Cruz in Woody Allen's new film - believes succeeding in the "vain" movie industry is more difficult if you are female.

She said: "Acting is definitely harder for women. Women kind of wilt as men sort of achieve as they get older, like wine or whatever. It's like, 'Oh, she's past her prime and she can't play a sex symbol.' It's just a preconceived notion about women in general and particularly in this industry. It's a very vain, vain industry."

Scarlett - who released her debut solo album 'Anywhere I Lay My Head' earlier this year - also revealed her plans for the future.

She added to Britain's Hello! magazine: "I would love to do another album. It was fantastic to not only live with that music that I love every day but to work with such wonderful musicians. It's like a whole little creative commune we had. "

Right now, I would like to focus on developing something to direct. I have wanted to direct since I was 12. I remember making 'The Horse Whisperer' and thinking, 'I want that guy's job!'"