Scarlett Johansson has once again spoken out about the fate of Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, shutting down hopes of her return (at least for now). With ’Avengers: Doomsday’ on the horizon and Robert Downey Jr. reportedly making his MCU comeback, speculation is running wild about which past heroes could make a reappearance.
Moreover, given that the multiverse now plays a major role in Marvel’s storytelling, fans are eager to see Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff back in action. However, according to Johansson herself, Natasha’s story may have reached its definitive end.
Scarlett Johansson Shuts Down Black Widow’s ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Prospects
In a recent interview with InStyle, Scarlett Johansson was asked about the possibility of reprising her role as Natasha Romanoff, given the major role of the multiverse in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’. Moreover, her response was as definitive as it was heartbreaking.
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“Natasha is dead. She is dead. She’s dead. Okay? They just don’t want to believe it. They’re like, ‘But she could come back!’ Look, I think the balance of the entire universe is held in her hand. We’re going to have to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment,” she firmly stated.
This resonates with many MCU fans who saw Natasha’s sacrifice in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ as one of the franchise’s most emotional moments. Unlike Tony Stark’s grand, explosive sacrifice, Natasha’s death was quieter but way more tragic. It was an intimate moment shared between two best friends, with Natasha choosing to give up her life for the greater good.
Despite everything, it was a hero’s death, and Johansson clearly believes it should remain that way. However, what’s intriguing about her comments is what she didn’t say. She was adamant that the Natasha we know and love is gone. But she didn’t rule out the idea of appearing in the MCU again. Given Marvel Studios’ increasing reliance on variants, it’s very much possible that Johansson will return in some capacity.
Could Black Widow Return As A Multiversal Variant?
With the multiverse in full swing, Marvel has a golden opportunity to bring back past characters in new and unexpected ways. Robert Downey Jr. is confirmed to be returning as Doctor Doom who could possibly be a Tony Stark variant in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. If that’s the case, why wouldn’t Marvel take a similar approach with Black Widow?
In case you missed it: Scarlett Johansson To Return As Black Widow For ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ And ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’
A variant of Natasha Romanoff could allow Johansson to return without undoing her original sacrifice. It would be a way to satisfy fans who miss her presence while preserving the integrity of ‘Avengers: Endgame’. Another possibility is a Secret Wars-style reunion, where characters from different timelines and realities collide.
This would also give Johansson the opportunity to return in a way that feels organic. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Marvel is no stranger to keeping secrets. Given that ‘Avengers: Doomsday‘ begins filming soon, we may not have to wait too long for more surprises. However, Johansson being done with the character might be a barrier.
