Black Widow: Scarlett Johansson Says Leaving Marvel Will Be Bittersweet
Scarlett Johansson admits that leaving the MCU will be bittersweet, but she says she is proud of the work she has done in the last decade.
The exit from the Marvel Cinematic Universe through Black Widow will be bittersweet for Scarlett Johansson. The actress plays Natasha Romanoff in the franchise, one of its founding heroes and the only female avenger on the original roster. Johansson, who debuted in Jon Favreau's Iron Man 2, has appeared in multiple joint and solo films, but Black Widow will be her first lead project as Natasha.
Chronologically, Nat's story already ended in Avengers: Endgame when she sacrificed herself for the Soul Stone on Vormir instead of Hawkeye. While Joe and Anthony Russo's movie featured a tribute to Iron Man, who also died for the team's mission, he didn't do the same for Black Widow. Add to that the argument that Natasha didn't deserve to die that way, it's easily one of the most controversial creative decisions filmmakers made.
Now, Marvel Studios is trying to give the character a better send-off through his long-awaited solo adventure set between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War.
In an interview, as the Black Widow cast begins to actively promote the film, Johansson candidly reveals her feelings about her departure from the MCU. She admits that she is bittersweet given how long she has inhabited the franchise. That said, she is proud of the work that she and Marvel Studios did for Natasha. She also explains that the best thing for her is to leave the franchise when she is in her prime, echoing what Robert Downey Jr. has stated in the past about her own departure from the MCU of her.
Johansson said, “Honestly, I feel like it always, feels great to leave a party when it's still in full swing and I think this movie [Black Widow] feels very alive and fresh and powerful and I feel really satisfied with it. I am very happy with the work that we have done over this decade and, you know, it is very bitter to say 'goodbye', but if you love something, you have to let it go! "
Admittedly, the way Nat's exit from the MCU will occur is somewhat strange. The character is already dead, and Marvel Studios jumps to a point in franchise history where Black Widow reconnects with her Russian family. It will be interesting to see how the story of the next standalone will connect with her fate in Avengers: Endgame, but it's noteworthy that Nat never mentioned her meeting Taskmaster when she rejoined Avengers. In any case, there is hope that the solo film will help justify her death in Vormir.
While Johansson retires Nat in the MCU, the Black Widow mantle is expected to carry on with Yelena Belova, reportedly taking over the character. Early reactions to the movie cite Florence Pugh as the highlight of the movie, which is a great sign. However, this will also raise new questions, as she is nowhere to be found during the Thanos debacle, unless she, of course, has disappeared at the end of Avengers: Infinity War. While the Black Widow mantle will be in good hands with Yelena, Johansson is understandably bittersweet about leaving it behind. Hopefully the movie delivers a satisfying send-off for both Natasha Romanoff and the actress who has played her so well throughout the MCU.