Over two decades ago, a young, vibrant Scarlett Johansson set foot in Hollywood. Her debut as Charlotte in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation put her in the spotlight. Now, the industry can’t help but talk about Johansson, particularly her role as Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Having appeared as Black Widow nine times across the MCU, Johansson is at a pivotal juncture in her career. The world eagerly anticipates her next move, expected to be nothing short of extraordinary.
Known for her boldness and outspoken nature, Johansson has made her stance clear post-Black Widow. Only one of her Black Widow appearances was a stand-alone film, leading to a widely publicized lawsuit with Disney. Following months of litigation, both parties reached a settlement, and Johansson happily returned to set. However, the actress has emphatically stated that she will not portray the cherished character of Natasha Romanoff again. Still, she is not saying goodbye to Marvel Studios altogether, as Variety reports her involvement in an unnamed MCU project as a producer. Here’s what we know so far.
Johansson’s Departure from Black Widow Role
In a candid conversation with Fatherly, Johansson stated: “I have no plans to return as Natasha. I feel really satisfied with this film. It feels like a great way to go out for this chapter of my Marvel identity. I would love to be able to continue to collaborate with Marvel in other ways because I think there’s just an incredible wealth of stories there. Re-imagining this genre is something that I find very interesting. I think there’s a lot of opportunities to tell these stories in different ways than audiences have come to expect.”
In an episode of The Goop Podcast, hosted by Gwenyth Paltrow, Johansson reiterated that her days of playing Romanoff were behind her. The pair even discussed the possibility of Paltrow reprising her MCU role as Pepper Potts since her character survived in Endgame.
Johansson used the podcast, which aired in April 2023, as an opportunity to reminisce about her journey as Natasha Romanoff in the Avengers movies, her new skincare line “The Outset,” and the first time she met co-star Paltrow. Regardless of her fondness for the character and the joy she derived from portraying Black Widow, Johansson remained adamant about not reprising her role.
Exploring Other Avenues in Entertainment
With her experience in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where she played the lead and contributed to her character’s dialogue, as reported by Digital Spy, Johansson proved that she’s more than just an actress. Following her settlement with Disney, she was announced as a producer for an upcoming Marvel project.
As a producer, Johansson now has the potential to contribute to the ongoing cultural shift in Hollywood, where women are playing bigger roles in directing, producing, and writing films and TV shows. This development has led to more nuanced female characters and stories. Johansson’s involvement in this process, coupled with the MCU’s recent trend of putting multidimensional women at the helm, is an exciting prospect.
Potential MCU Projects in the Pipeline
Keeping its projects under wraps is Marvel’s signature style, leaving fans speculating about Johansson’s involvement in upcoming productions. Despite the actress’s confirmed role as a producer, the exact Marvel Studios project remains a mystery. Speculations range from Captain America: Brave New World or Thunderbolts, due to the links to her Black Widow character, to A-Force, an all-female superhero team project.
In a recent promotion for her latest film, Asteroid City by Wes Anderson, Johansson hinted at her involvement in a future MCU project. However, due to the ongoing Writers and Actors Strike, the production timeline is currently uncertain.
The Future of Black Widow
As the Multiverse Saga expands, there might be a window for Johansson to return as an alternate timeline Black Widow. While intriguing, Johansson insists that the story of Natasha Romanoff is complete. Her character met her end in Avengers: Endgame, and many lingering questions were answered in the film Black Widow.
In the finale of Black Widow, Natasha set the remaining Black Widows free. Yelena, a fellow Widow, sought to undo the brainwashing they endured, positioning Florence Pugh as the new Black Widow in the MCU. Pugh’s reprisal of her role in Hawkeye and the upcoming Thunderbolts ensures that Black Widow’s legacy lives on. Although Natasha Romanoff is no longer, the spirit of Black Widow endures, fostering excitement for what the future holds.
