Why Oscar-nominees Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver are being used to scare wolves

The Oscar-nominated drama “Marriage Story,” starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, has found new life in the wild.

Audio of a fight between Johansson and Driver’s characters is being used by the United States Department of Agriculture to scare wolves away from killing cattle and scaring livestock, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal.

“I need the wolves to respond and know that, hey, humans are bad,” a USDA district supervisor in Oregon told the outlet.

The wolves are tracked by “drone cowhands,” using thermal cameras that can spot a wolf in the dark. Loudspeakers broadcast scary sounds for wolves like fireworks, gunshots, and apparently, people arguing, including a recording from “Marriage Story.”

“Marriage Story” featured several arguments between Johansson’s and Driver’s divorcing couple, including a famous one that ends in tears and Driver punching the wall of his apartment.

The film, written and directed by Noah Baumbach, earned six Oscar nominations, including best picture, best actor for Driver, best actress for Johnasson, best original screenplay, best original score, and one win for Laura Dern in the best supporting actress category.

The drone program was first rolled out in 2022, and the authorities have used other sounds like AC/DC’s song “Thunderstruck” and Five Finger Death Punch’s song “Blue on Black.”

“The drones were deployed in the Klamath Basin of southern Oregon after 11 cows were killed by wolves there in a 20-day period. Over the next 85 days when drones were on patrol, only two were killed,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

The ranchers remain skeptical, with one telling the outlet they wonder how long the wolves will respond to the noises before they get used to it.

“Hopefully they’re gonna be successful, but I’m kinda betting on the wolves, truth be known,” 77-year-old rancher Jim Rickert told the outlet.