SCARLETT JOHANSSON REVEALS SHOCKING SECRET: The Robert Redford Trait She RISKED EVERYTHING to Copy for Her Directorial Debut—Hollywood INSIDERS STUNNED as Johansson’s Bold Move Unleashes Drama, Controversy, and Unexpected Twists! What Did Redford Teach Her That Changed Everything?

Scarlett Johansson is hoping to follow in Robert Redford’s footsteps.

The actress and filmmaker spoke with PEOPLE at the Eleanor the Great premiere in New York City on Sept. 24, and opened up about her relationship with Robert Redfield and how he impacted her directorial debut. Johansson and Redford costarred in 1998’s The Horse Whisperer, which Redford — who died at 89 on Sept. 16 — also directed.

Johansson tells PEOPLE that with Eleanor the Great, she hopes to embody the patience Redford always had with his cast.

Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock Scarlett Johansson and Robert Redford in ‘Horse Whisperer.’

“Because you’re always in a rush on set, but not letting any of the actors feeling like you’re in a rush — I think that’s really important,” Johansson says.

She continues, “Bob Redford always took so much time with me and he was so patient. It was really impactful; it made me feel like I had the space to really explore and be creative.”

Legendary actor and direct may be gone, but for a but in Redford’s classic Monta A River Runs Through it, t One of the most magical su I would say was shooting t

Loaded: 11.00%

Johansson also shed light on her time working with Redford during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday, Sept. 22. Johansson, who was 12 at the time The Horse Whisperer was filmed, revealed she had nicknamed the late director “Booey,” though she couldn’t explain why.

Johansson had nothing but praise for Redford, noting he had a “transformative” impact on her acting and career.

Gregory Pace/FilmMagic Scarlett Johansson and Robert Redford.

“He was such a warm, kind, patient, generous, wonderful man. He would take so much time with me every day,” Johansson said. “Just so calm and kind and patient.”

She added, “Every scene we would do he would talk me through where my character had been through up until that point, and it was like he had all the time to do that. It was transformative for me. I had a complete understanding of ‘Oh, this is actually a craft, and something you get better at and understand more the more you put into it.’ That was all because of Bob, Mr. Redford-slash Booey. He was a wonderful man.”