Scarlett Johansson Confirms Black Widow's Death, Rules Out MCU Return

Scarlett Johansson, a stalwart of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has firmly stated that her character, Black Widow, is "dead" and she appears uninterested in reprising the role in the near future. During an interview with InStyle, Johansson discussed her future while gearing up for her role in the upcoming big-budget film, Jurassic World Rebirth. Despite her iconic portrayal of Natasha Romanoff, which has significantly impacted her career, Johansson seems eager to move on from the character.

Johansson was emphatic about Black Widow's fate, saying, "Natasha is dead. She is dead. She's dead. Okay?" Her response was directed at fans hoping for Black Widow's return. Johansson emphasized, "We’re going to have to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment." Although she last played Black Widow in the 2021 standalone film, the character met her definitive end in 2019's Avengers: Endgame, sacrificing herself to save Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton, also known as Hawkeye. Despite this clear narrative closure, fans continue to speculate about potential comebacks for Black Widow and other deceased characters.

Johansson acknowledged the fans' reluctance to accept Black Widow's death, stating, "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." The MCU's history of reviving characters has fueled discussions, especially with upcoming event movies like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, which are rumored to feature numerous cameos and potential returns.

Speculation about character returns isn't limited to Black Widow. Robert Downey Jr. is set to transition from Iron Man to the role of Doctor Doom, marking his first live-action portrayal of the character in over a decade. Rumors have also swirled around Chris Evans potentially returning as Captain America, despite his denial. Additionally, Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter, who has died twice in the MCU, is rumored to appear in the upcoming Doomsday project. With so many beloved characters potentially returning, it's understandable why fans continue to hope for Black Widow's revival.

Fans will have to wait until May 1, 2026, for Avengers: Doomsday, and May 7, 2027, for Avengers: Secret Wars to see which characters, living or dead, will make an appearance. In the meantime, enthusiasts can stay updated on the MCU's future projects by checking out our comprehensive list of every upcoming movie and show Marvel has planned. Additionally, fans can catch the latest episode of Daredevil: Born Again, which premieres its third episode tonight.