Scarlett Johansson Doubts Black Widow's Return: 'She's Dead'

Scarlett Johansson has firmly stated that her iconic Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) character, Black Widow, is "dead" and she appears uninterested in reprising the role in the near future. During a candid interview with InStyle, Johansson emphasized her stance on the future of Natasha Romanoff, especially as she prepares for her role in the upcoming blockbuster, Jurassic World Rebirth. Despite fans' persistent hopes and theories about Black Widow's potential return, Johansson was unequivocal.

"Natasha is dead. She is dead. She's dead. Okay?" Johansson reiterated, addressing the fans' desire to see her return. She stressed the importance of accepting Black Widow's heroic sacrifice, saying, "We’re going to have to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment."

Black Widow's demise was depicted in Avengers: Endgame (2019), where she sacrificed herself to secure the Soul Stone, ensuring the safety of Jeremy Renner's character, Hawkeye. Although Johansson last played the character in the 2021 standalone film Black Widow, fans have continued to speculate about her possible comeback. Johansson, however, seems resolute, noting, "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."

The MCU has a history of reviving deceased characters, and upcoming films like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are anticipated to feature numerous cameos. While Robert Downey Jr. is set to transition from Iron Man to Doctor Doom, rumors of other returns, such as Chris Evans as Captain America (which he later denied), and Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter (rumored for Doomsday), keep the speculation alive. Yet, Johansson's position on Black Widow remains clear.

Fans eager for more MCU content can look forward to Avengers: Doomsday on May 1, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027, to see which characters, living or dead, will make an appearance. In the meantime, keep an eye on Marvel's upcoming projects, including the ongoing series Daredevil: Born Again, with its third episode premiering tonight.