Scarlett Johansson Still Supports Black Widow Movie That Doesn't Exist
Scarlett Johansson has a lot of ideas for that Black Widow solo movie, if Marvel ever decides to actually make it. Speaking with Variety for its Power of Women issue, the actress said that she could envision a Black Widow film that’s either a prequel or sequel to the other Avengers movies.
“She’s got a really rich origins story,” said Johansson. “You can bring it back to Russia. You could explore the Widow program… Or not. It could be something else. Where do the Avengers go? They are underground. What happens then? What happens after it all falls apart? There are so many ways you can go.”
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So many ways! Johansson says she has talked to Marvel “often” about the potential movie, and that the studio is “greatly invested” in the character. So why hasn’t a Black Widow movie been greenlit yet?
“It would have [to be] totally different than any of the other standalone films,” Johansson explained.
But isn’t Marvel actively promoting Doctor Strange as different than any of the other standalone films?
“It would have to fit into the idea of where they want to go,” Johansson said.
Okay, but how would that be different than Marvel giving Thor and Captain America their own stand-alone movies?
“I think if the fans wanted it enough, then it would probably become a reality,” Johansson stated.
Related: Marvel, Are You Listening? Joss Whedon Wants to Make a Black Widow Movie
Sorry, but no — that’s not how things get greenlit. Nobody was clamoring for a Guardians of the Galaxy movie (which didn’t stop everybody in the world from seeing it when it finally came out). Most of the fan excitement about Ant-Man had to do with original writer-director Edgar Wright, who left the project in 2014. Compared to these films, the Black Widow movie has overwhelming fan support. A social media campaign for the film, using the hashtag #BlackWidowMovie, has been going on since 2014 and has a resurgence with every new Avengers film. Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Robert Downey Jr. have all supported it. Infinity War directors the Russo brothers have called it “a no-brainer.” And Avengers director Joss Whedon has offered to come out of Marvel universe retirement to direct it.
Marvel has been floating the possibility of a Black Widow movie since 2010, saying it’ll happen when the time is right. And apparently, it’s just not the right time to make a movie about a super-popular character, played by an even more popular actress. Cynics might wonder if Marvel is waiting to see how other female-led superhero movies play out — including DC’s Wonder Woman and its own Captain Marvel — before pulling the trigger. But will Johansson wait around for them to commit?
“I’d have to do it while I still actually wanted to wear a skin-tight catsuit,” she told Variety. “I don’t know how much longer that’s going to be.”
How the Russo Brothers Weighed In on a Black Widow Movie:
