Scarlett Johansson has a message for Marvel fans clinging to hope: Natasha Romanoff is gone for good. In a recent interview with InStyle, the actress made it crystal clear that her iconic character, Black Widow, won't be resurrected in the MCU. While Robert Downey Jr.'s rumored return as Doctor Doom has sparked speculation about other original Avengers making comebacks, Johansson is adamant that Natasha's story has reached its emotional and narrative conclusion.
Johansson's portrayal of Natasha Romanoff has been a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since her debut in Iron Man 2 (2010). Over the years, the character evolved from a mysterious spy to a full-fledged Avenger, culminating in her sacrificial death in Avengers: Endgame (2019). Despite her heroic send-off, fans have been reluctant to accept her demise, theorizing about potential returns through alternate timelines or multiverse shenanigans.
But Johansson isn't having it. “Natasha is dead. She is dead. She's dead. Okay?” she told InStyle. “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.”
Her words carry a sense of finality, but they also reflect her own journey. Johansson has been candid about the toll of being a public figure and the challenges of balancing her career with her desire for privacy. “The thing about being a public figure is that the idea of being recognizable and celebrated feels fun, but then you can never stuff it back in the bottle,” she said.
With her Marvel chapter firmly behind her, Johansson is embracing new challenges. Her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, is set to release later this year. Starring June Squibb, the film is a heartfelt indie inspired by classics like Moonstruck and Living Out Loud. For Johansson, stepping behind the camera has been a transformative experience.
“When I would get home from work,” she shared, “and I would say to Colin [Jost], ‘You know, it's so exciting to be 40 and learn a new thing. Now I know how to make a movie like this. I know how to finish it. The process of sound mixing and coloring and editing'—I didn't know that before. And now I know how to do it.”
Scarlett Johansson's candidness about Natasha Romanoff's fate is refreshing in an era of endless reboots and resurrections. Her insistence on letting the character rest honors the emotional weight of Endgame and underscores the importance of closure in storytelling. While it's bittersweet to say goodbye to Black Widow, Johansson's pivot to directing feels like a natural evolution for an artist who has always pushed boundaries.
Do you think Marvel should respect Johansson's wishes and keep Natasha Romanoff in the past, or is there room for her return in the multiverse saga?
