MCU Star Scarlett Johansson Casts Doubt on Black Widow Return: 'She's Dead'

Scarlett Johansson, a veteran of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has firmly stated that her character, Black Widow, is "dead" and she appears uninterested in reprising the role anytime soon. During an interview with InStyle, Johansson discussed her future outside of the MCU, particularly her upcoming role in the summer blockbuster Jurassic World Rebirth. Despite Black Widow's significant impact on Johansson's career, she seems keen on moving forward.

Johansson emphasized Black Widow's fate, saying, "Natasha is dead. She is dead. *She's dead.* Okay?" This was in response to persistent fan speculation about her potential return. Johansson added, "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." Black Widow, or Natasha Romanoff, met her end in 2019's Avengers: Endgame by sacrificing herself to save Jeremy Renner's character, Hawkeye, in a definitive storyline conclusion.

The MCU fanbase has a history of hoping for the return of beloved deceased characters, especially with upcoming event movies like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, which are rumored to feature numerous cameos. These films are set to release on May 1, 2026, and May 7, 2027, respectively. Speculation has also surrounded other MCU characters, with reports of Robert Downey Jr. taking on the role of Doctor Doom, and rumors about Chris Evans returning as Captain America, which he later denied. Additionally, Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter, who has died twice in the MCU, is rumored to appear in Doomsday.

For those eager to stay updated on the MCU, our comprehensive list of every upcoming movie and show Marvel has in the works is a great resource. Additionally, fans can catch the latest episode of Marvel's recent project, Daredevil: Born Again, which will premiere its third episode tonight.