Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to introduce new heroes into the franchise's interconnected narrative, but several members of the original Avengers team from the Infinity Saga will be given the chance to shine once more as well.
One of the characters that will be given the golden opportunity to do so is Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff who will lead her own film in the form of Black Widow . Given the demise of Romanoff during Avengers: Endgame , the film will serve as a prequel as it looks back on the Russian spy's adventures in-between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War .
Plot details are still being kept under wraps, but the film's trailers confirm that Romanoff's past in the Red Room alongside her Russian family will be explored. While fans wait for the final decision regarding the release strategy of Black Widow , a new interview has emerged that provides much-needed insight into the film's lead star.
SCARLETT JOHANSSON OPENS UP ABOUT THE MCU
Scarlett Johansson recently sat down with The Gentlewoman to talk about Marvel Studios' Black Widow , and one of the topics that were discussed was the actress' journey in the MCU.
Johansson debuted as Natasha Romanoff back in Iron Man 2 , but as fans now know, the actress wasn't originally cast in the role. Emily Blunt was supposed to play the Russian spy, but she ultimately committed to another film. The stars eventually aligned, and Johansson managed to nab the coveted MCU role.
After the Robert Downey Jr.-led sequel, The Avengers director Joss Whedon pitched her the superhero team-up film, with Johansson even admitting then that the idea sounded "like it was going to be a disaster:"
“Even the thought of all of us together in our superhero costumes sounded like it was going to be a disaster. Not a disaster, but, like, What is this? What is this?”
Nowadays, given that the MCU is soaring high in terms of popularity and box office records, Johansson couldn't help but be fascinated with the mega movie franchise's achievements. Yet, she did point to a certain moment where she felt that the interconnected universe was going to work: the 360 shot of the heroes standing in the rubble of New York during 2012's The Avengers:
“I remember doing that 360 shot, and we’re standing in the rubble of Grand Central or whatever, of this alien onslaught, and all of us are ready, like: Here we go, this is it. And then they showed us the playback, and I think that was the moment that all of us, finally, after six months of shooting, were, ‘Oh, this is going to work. I think this is going to work.’”
THE EVER-CHANGING WORLD OF THE MCU
It's no secret that Marvel's The Avengers is the MCU's game-changer, and it looks like Johansson agrees with that sentiment. The 2012 mega-hit served as a monumental shift in terms of the franchise's storytelling and global impact while also successfully elevating the momentum of Marvel Studios like never before.
In a way, it makes sense for Johansson to address the risk surrounding the main premise of The Avengers , considering that it was the first real opportunity for Marvel to incorporate a superhero-team up on the big screen. Still, the cast of the film took a bold risk, and it's safe to say that the result was worth it.
No doubt, the 360 shot of the Avengers in the Battle of New York is iconic in every way, and it's fitting that Johansson pointed out that this was the moment that she knew that the MCU would work. In many ways, this particular shot alludes to the idea that Earth's Mightiest Heroes stand united against imminent threats, thus opening up a plethora of story possibilities along the way.
At this stage, it remains to be seen if Black Widow will be the final swan song of Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, but the MCU is known for pulling surprises, and it's possible that the actress will return to reprise the role down the road.
Whatever the case, Johansson's time as the famous MCU super-spy will not be forgotten.
Black Widow is set to be released in U.S. theaters on May 7, 2021.
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