Anticipation for the latest MCU film, Black Widow, is mounting. While the film is still on track for release on November 6th, 2020, other reports suggest that a delay is imminent.
Marvel Studios shared the cover image for the latest issue of Total Film focused on Black Widow, which was the first new piece of content that the studio has posted related to the film in over 5 months.
Since then, several production stills featured in the new issue have been released, giving new looks at Black Widow, Yelena Belova and Taskmaster. Florence Pugh also spoke about the film, saying that Black Widow deals with the “abuse of women.”
Another new detail has emerged from the Total Film issue, instead focusing on Black Widow's role in Avengers: Endgame...
NEWS
In a new interview with Total Film, via GamesRadar, Scarlett Johansson spoke about Black Widow's "very in-character" sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame. Johansson emphasized that this act was a choice made by the character, and has been telegraphed and built up to throughout Natasha's journey within the MCU:
"I love Natasha...She’s had an incredible 10-year journey, and I felt that she was finally able to make an active choice. It seemed very in-character, that ultimate sacrifice that she makes. She’s made peace with that, and, in some ways, has known that’s her destiny all along, in a weird poetic way. When you look back on the films, that’s in there. All the films have led her to that choice – or to be able to make that choice; or for it to be a choice.”
Many fans were disappointed by Black Widow's demise in the film, but Johansson promises that Black Widow will provide some much needed "resolution" for the character. Director Cate Shortland added to this, saying:
"That [death] gives Black Widow an added heart at the end, because it’s not wrapping [the story] up...It’s actually what you feel – it’s not a narrative thing. It’s like, how do we make the audience feel?"
WHAT THIS MEANS
Johansson doubles down on the idea that Black Widow’s death in Avengers: Endgame was ultimately a choice of Natasha’s, and one that she makes for herself. In the film, Natasha states the importance of the Avengers to her, and her choice to sacrifice herself demonstrates her dedication to her found family.
While Endgame showed fans where the character’s journey ends, Johansson and Shortland’s words also reaffirm the idea that Black Widow will provide closure for the character that some may have been seeking.
This does call into question the possibility that Black Widow’s tenure in the MCU may end with her solo film. Shortland previously stated that the film would pass the baton to Yelena Belova, so fans may see Black Widow’s journey end in a different way here.
Fans should be able to receive some closure for Black Widow when her solo film releases in theaters on November 6th, 2020.
