EXCLUSIVEHow Scarlett Johansson could earn eye-watering pay check to replace Hoda Kotb after impressing NBC bosses

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Scarlett Johansson could put her glittering Hollywood career on pause if NBC bosses sign her up to join Jenna Bush Hager as a permanent fixture on the Today Show - and even Hoda Kotb has 'voiced her approval.'

The Hollywood star, 40, impressed execs 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 stints on the fourth hour last week, fans made it clear that Black Widow actress Scarlett was their favored co-host and came close to upstaging Jenna, 43.

Now, a well-placed insider has revealed that bosses are ready to do what it takes to make her a permanent fixture after she wraps up her duties on January 24 - with rumors of a $5 million-a-year contract in the mix. 

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

'Executives do not think that they even really need to look any further and would pretty much give Scarlett the offer as a permanent host if she was willing to take it.

Scarlett Johansson could put her glittering Hollywood career on pause if NBC bosses sign her up to join Jenna Bush Hager as a permanent fixture on the Today Show 

The Hollywood superstar got off to a flying start on Tuesday as she began her stint on Today with Jenna & Friends

'Everyone was worried that bringing this big A-list actress on would be taking a huge risk and that the audience would not respond well, but this was proven wrong big time. 

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

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

'Hoda is going to be a hard act to follow,' they continued. 'But Scarlett would undoubtedly fill these shoes well and Hoda has voiced her approval. 

'Scarlett knew the assignment and she delivered. She is 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 as Jenna has,' the source said. 'This is to avoid any possible tension or conflict over salary. 

'Jenna makes $4 million-a-year now and with an increase in viewership she could 'easily' renegotiate to $5 million. This is what both women would get.'

The actress, 40, has been booked as a co-host on Today with Jenna & Friends until January 24

'Everyone was worried that bringing this big A-list actress on would be taking a huge risk and that the audience would not respond well, but this was proven wrong big time,' a source said 

They continued: 'Yes, Jenna has been there longer, and it is literally her show, but Scarlett is an A-list actress who – based on the feedback – will undoubtedly make more people tune in. She has a massive fan base, and this must be considered.'

Though the actress is know to collect sums between $15-20 million for movies such as Avengers: Endgame and Black Widow, the hosting gig at Today could still be very tempting for the star who is worth a reported $165 million.

Speaking to Jenna, Scarlett revealed that it has always been her 'dream' to anchor a morning show.

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 happening in your neck of the woods?"'  

Scarlett professed her love for the hosting gig during Wednesday's episode.

'I went to bed last night and I was buzzing,' she told audiences. 'I was so excited. I prepared everything for today. I love this job!'

'By the way, I'm delighted by this,' Jenna replied.

'It was just so fun,' Scarlett added. 'Like absolute dream job.'

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

'You're really good at Social Dilemmas,' she said after Scarlett had helped answer queries from viewers.

'Jenna & Scarlett, you hear what I'm saying!' she added, with the audience breaking into applause.

Tuesday morning was not 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 the Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live, no doubt adding 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.

Should the Marriage Story actress accept an offer, she could be presented with a tempting $5 million-a-year contract (pictured with Jenna and guest Nicole Scherzinger)

Scarlett previously got the chance to dip her toe into hosting duties back with Al Roker in November 2012

She admitted that it had always been her 'dream' to anchor a morning show 

'This gotta be the best show without Hoda man, you and Scarlett Johansson have amazing chemistry,' wrote one fan on the show's official Instagram page.

'Scarlet got the assignment!!! Best show ever!!!' added another.

'Scarlett was so good!!! She did upstage Jenna though,' a third wrote.

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

A sixth wrote: 'Love you guys together!! You balance each other so well, she is a great cohost! I vote for Scarlett as the new cohost.' 

Earlier this month, a source close to Scarlett blasted 'ridiculous' claims that she only agreed to guest host the Today show because she is broke, with an insider revealing that she would not 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 goes through the news with her husband Colin Jost so he can be ready for Weekend Update, and she thought that it would be fun to live on the other side of it all as she is usually the one in the news or being interviewed.

Elsewhere, the star has spent years watching her husband Colin Jost work as a co-anchor of the Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live 

The actress is best is known for her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which helped to bump up her net worth to a reported $165 million

'She wanted a new perspective, she wants to have fun and when she was asked to do it, she jumped at the chance.'

The source continued: 'For those that are trolling her for feeling that this is beneath her or that she is broke, she finds it ridiculous. The Today Show is an institution.

'If people think this is the worst thing she has ever done or will do, then she feels like she is in good shape...

'People will complain about everything, and she isn't going to allow 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 is going to be Jenna with many big names along with those that are 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 the departure of Hoda.

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