Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn have allegedly ended their highly-publicized relationship, PEOPLE is reporting. Rumors began spreading when the Tony Award-winning actress failed to appear with the two-time Oscar-winning actor at the Cannes Film Festival premiere for his new film, ‘The Tree of Life,’ which won the prestigious Palme d’Or award. However, the reason for the split has not yet been made public, as their reps have not yet commented.

Johansson was reportedly in New Mexico working on the anticipated super-hero movie ‘The Avengers,’ where she will be reprising her ‘Iron Man 2′ character Black Widow, during the ‘Tree of Life’ premiere. The news comes after the 26-year-old actress and the 50-year-old actor made headlines for starting a romantic relationship in January 2011, a month after she publicly announced that she was divorcing husband Ryan Reynolds. The relationship also came six months after Penn finalized his divorce from actress Robin Wright, to whom he was married for approximately 20 years.

News of the split also came after Johansson and Penn went on several highly publicized lunch dates in Los Angeles, and took a trip to Cabo San Lucas together. They also garnered attention when they attended a White House Correspondents’ Dinner party in Washington, D.C. in April, and engaged in heavy public displays of affection.

Written by: Karen Benardello

Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn