Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson bring their star power to New York.
The duo hit the red carpet to celebrate the opening of their new family film "We Bought a Zoo".
The movie, inspired by the real life tale of Benjamin Mee, stars Damon as a journalist and single father.
Looking to give his family a fresh start, Mee buys a home situated in the middle of a zoo.
With no experience dealing with animals, and struggling on a shoestring budget, he now has to juggle family and animal life.
The father of four says the role of Mee was one he could relate to.
SOUNDBITE: Matt Damon, actor, saying (English):
"It's a lot of work raising kids, and it's a full time wonderful job. And I can't imagine doing it without my partner. So it's a movie about a guy who is forced to do it without his partner and I just really, that just really resonates for me."
Johansson, plays the head zookeeper in the film, and says it was the down to earth quality of her character that attracted her to the role.
SOUNDBITE: Scarlett Johansson, actress, saying (English):
"I think I was attracted to the fact that Kelly was not looking for love. She wasn't looking for a husband or a boyfriend or a date. She is just a practical salt of the earth grounded character."
But for Damon, director Cameron Crowe's film legacy was what drew him to the film.
SOUNDBITE: Matt Damon, actor, saying (English):
"As a movie go-er, they just really get to me. And I really have a wonderful cathartic experience every time I go see a Cameron Crowe movie. So I wanted to be a part of one."
"We Bought a Zoo" opens in U.S. theaters on December 23.
Alicia Powell, Reuters.
