Black Widow star Scarlett Johansson recently addressed her future in the MCU. The Oscar-nominated actress has portrayed Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in nine Marvel films to date.
Directed by Cate Shortland (Lore, Berlin Syndrome), Black Widow is the first Marvel movie released in theatres since 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home. Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, the 24th film in the MCU focuses on Romanoff’s family and history as a Russian spy. The cast includes Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff. Godzilla vs. Kong's Eric Pearson penned the standalone film’s script.
Johansson first appeared as the former KGB assassin in Jon Favreau's Iron Man 2. The star joined the MCU after Emily Blunt was forced to turn down the part due to scheduling conflicts with Jack Black’s Gulliver's Travels. Over a decade later, Avengers: Endgame saw Johansson’s Romanoff sacrifice herself during a mission that helped prevent Thanos from getting his hands on all six Infinity Stones. The latest Avengers film also marked the end of Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans’ tenures as Iron Man and Captain America. Now, it appears Johansson’s Romanoff arc in the MCU is coming to a close. During a recent interview with Variety, Johansson stated that she feels like her work in the MCU is complete. “I really am happy with the work I accomplished in my last decade-plus at Marvel,” said Johansson, while adding, “I feel like I’m going out on a high note with a movie I’m incredibly proud of.”
While Johansson does not plan to return to the MCU after Black Widow, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige hinted that numerous stars of the film will be featured in future projects. Pugh, who plays a sister-figure to Romanoff who trained in the Red Room as a Black Widow, is slated to appear in the upcoming Disney Plus series Hawkeye. One would assume that Harbour’s Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian will also make future MCU appearances considering the character has a history with Captain America in the comics. Shostakov serves as a father figure to Johansson’s Romanoff and Pugh’s Belova, and he is the Soviet equivalent of Captain America.
Black Widow is one of several Marvel films that will be released in theatres this year. After several pandemic-related delays, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will premiere this September. Destin Daniel Cretton’s Marvel origin film will see Shang-Chi confront his upbringing and attempt to take down The Ten Rings, a terrorist organization created by his devious father Wenwu (Tony Leung). The blockbuster stars Simu Liu and is the first Marvel film with an Asian lead protagonist.
Meanwhile, Chloé Zhao’s Eternals takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame and follows a group of immortal heroes who must reunite to defend Earth from the Deviants. Zhao was ironically considered to direct Black Widow, but she took herself out of the running for unknown reasons.
Black Widow is now playing in theaters and available on Disney Plus.
Source: Variety