How Scarlett Johansson could earn eye-popping pay check to replace Hoda Kotb after impressing NBC execs

Scarlett Johansson could put her glittering Hollywood career on hold if NBC bosses sign her to join Jenna Bush Hager as a regular on the Today Show – and even Hoda Kotb has ‘voiced her approval’.

The Hollywood star, 40, wowed executives at the broadcaster when she joined Today with Jenna & Friends on Tuesday in a slot left open by Hoda’s tearful departure on January 10.

After the likes of Taraji P Henson, Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer enjoyed a stint on the fourth hour last week, fans made it clear that Black Widow actress Scarlett was their preferred co-host and came close to putting Jenna, 43, in scene.

Now a well-placed insider has revealed that bosses are ready to do whatever it takes to make her a permanent fixture after she finishes her role on January 24 – with a rumored $5 million-a-year contract.

“Scarlett absolutely knocked it out of the park and there was more positive feedback from viewers than there has ever been since the show launched,” a source exclusively told DailyMail.com.

“Managers don’t think they even really need to look any further and would pretty much make Scarlett the permanent host offer if she was willing to take it up.

‘Everyone was worried that bringing this big A-list actress would be a big risk and that the audience wouldn’t respond well, but that turned out to be wrong.

“Scarlett was relatable, funny, witty, charming and won over not only Jenna, but the crew and producers.”

The insider noted that even Hoda has thrown her support behind the actress.

“Hoda will be a tough act to follow,” they continued. But Scarlett would no doubt fill those shoes well, and Hoda has voiced her approval.

Scarlett knew the task and she delivered. She’s a natural.’

Should the Marriage Story actress accept an offer, she could be presented with a tempting $5 million a year contract.

‘Scarlett would be offered a similar deal to Jenna’s,” the source said. “This is to avoid any potential tension or conflict over pay.

‘Jenna makes $4 million a year now and with an increase in viewership she could ‘easily’ renegotiate to $5 million. That’s what both women would get.’

They continued: ‘Yes, Jenna’s been around longer and it’s literally her show, but Scarlett is an A-list actress who – based on the feedback – will undoubtedly get more people tuning in. She has a massive fan base and this needs to be considered.’

Although the actress is known for raking in between $15-20 million for films like Avengers: Endgame and Black Widow, the Today hosting gig could still be very tempting for the $165 million star.

Speaking to Jenna, Scarlett revealed that anchoring a morning show has always been her ‘dream’.

She noted that as a child she would look at herself in the mirror with a shampoo bottle and (say): “Good morning everyone and I hope you had a wonderful weekend. What’s going on in the neck of the woods?”‘

Scarlett declared her love for the hosting gig during Wednesday’s episode.

“I went to bed last night and I was buzzing,” she told the audience. ‘I was so excited. I prepared everything for today. I love this job!’

“I’m happy about this, by the way,” Jenna replied.

“It was just so much fun,” Scarlett added. ‘Like an absolute dream job.’

Jenna also dropped a big hint that the Hollywood star might be joining the show as a permanent co-host by calling the show Jenna & Scarlett twice.

“You’re really good at social dilemmas,” she said after Scarlett helped answer questions from viewers.

‘Jenna & Scarlett, you hear what I’m saying!’ she added as the audience burst into applause.

Tuesday morning wasn’t Scarlett’s first Today show rodeo, as she previously joined Al Roker to present his weather report back in 2012.

Elsewhere, the star has spent years watching her husband Colin Jost co-anchor Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update, which has no doubt added to her knowledge of the inner workings of live television.

During her first episode, Scarlett and Jenna played a game to get to know each other better before sitting down for an interview with Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger.

Viewers couldn’t get enough of Scarlett and showered her with praise – while also applauding her undeniable on-screen chemistry with Jenna.

“This has got to be the best show without Hoda man, you and Scarlett Johansson have amazing chemistry,” one fan wrote on the show’s official Instagram page.

‘Scarlet got the job!!! Best show ever!!!’ added another.

‘Scarlett was so good!!! She staged Jenna though,’ wrote a third.

‘I love this combination of women today!’ said another, while a fifth agreed, adding: ‘Great duo… great chemistry.’

A sixth wrote: ‘Love you together!! You balance each other so well, she is a great co-host! I vote for Scarlett as the new co-host.’

Earlier this month, a source close to Scarlett blasted ‘ridiculous’ claims she only agreed to host the Today show because she’s broke, with an insider revealing she wasn’t going to let the haters ruin the experience.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, they said: ‘Scarlett is looking forward to co-hosting the Today show in a few weeks because she thinks it will be a lot of fun.

‘She usually reviews the news with her husband Colin Jost so he can be ready for Weekend Update and she thought it would be fun to live on the other side of it all since she’s usually the one on the news or being interviewed.

‘She wanted a new perspective, she wants to have fun, and when she was asked to do it, she pounced.’

The source continued: ‘For those trolling her for feeling like this is beneath her or that she’s broken, she finds it ridiculous. The Today Show is an institution.

‘If people think this is the worst thing she’s ever done or will do, then she feels she’s in good shape…

‘People are going to complain about everything and she’s not going to let the haters ruin what she feels is going to be a blast.’

They added: “The Today show is looking to do this for the foreseeable future until they find the right person to take over with Jenna, but for the rest of this year the format of the show will be Jenna with a lot of big names alongside them , which is still in house at NBC. They want to make it event television.’

Today With Jenna & Friends launched on January 13 and follows Jenna as she searches for a permanent co-host following Hoda’s departure.

After 26 years at NBC, the television legend opted to step down to spend more time with her young daughters, Haley Joy, eight, and Hope Catherine, five.