Scarlett Johansson comments on Black Widow MCU return, making it clear that her character’s journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has reached its conclusion, despite flourishing rumors and speculation from fans and co-stars alike. The ongoing discussion surfaced again as speculation picked up following reports of an expansive Avengers: Doomsday cast and the reappearance of Robert Downey Jr. in the franchise, but Johansson holds firm that Natasha Romanoff’s sacrifice remains permanent.
Scarlett Johansson Affirms Black Widow’s Fate in the Marvel Universe
The buildup to Avengers: Doomsday has rallied fans, with expectations high for surprising character returns to the MCU. However, Scarlett Johansson, a key fixture throughout the franchise, is unambiguous in her refusal to return as Black Widow. Audiences continue to believe she could somehow make a comeback—especially given that Robert Downey Jr., whose character’s storyline concluded in a dramatic death, is set for an MCU appearance.
Even Johansson’s former Black Widow co-star, David Harbour, joined in on the speculation during a joint interview, teasing her about potentially returning in secret.
“Oh, come on, Scarlett. We all know you’re the secret character. We all know the Black Widow comes back from the dead.”
—David Harbour, Actor
Johansson promptly refuted these hints, directly linking her absence to the established stakes set during Avengers: Endgame.
“If I come back from the dead, then half the world’s population dies. Didn’t you see Endgame for Christ’s sake?”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actress
Why Scarlett Johansson Believes Natasha Romanoff’s Story Is Complete
The actress has made similar statements previously, emphasizing her belief that Natasha Romanoff’s story has been thoroughly explored and resolved within the MCU. She explained that
“it would be very hard for [her to understand in what capacity [returning] would make sense for [her], for the character.”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actress
Continuing her stance, Johansson highlighted the importance of narrative closure not just for herself, but for dedicated fans as well.
“I miss my buddies and really would love to be with them forever, but what works about the character is that her story is complete. I don’t want to mess with that. For fans too—it’s important for them.”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actress
For Johansson, personal and professional satisfaction has come from both playing the character across a decade and honoring the final chapter that was given to Black Widow in her solo film and Avengers: Endgame. The emotional weight and integrity of those stories continue to inform her position on never revisiting the role.
Possible Future Roles for Scarlett Johansson Within the MCU
While firm on not returning as Natasha Romanoff, Scarlett Johansson has left the door open for involvement with Marvel in a different creative capacity: directing. Having recently directed her first feature, she has expressed genuine enthusiasm for potentially directing stories within the MCU, especially those grounded in relatable, human elements. She shared that Marvel films, particularly those offering deeper emotional narratives,
“are the big movies that [she loves].”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actress
Her move toward directing and away from acting in the MCU is seen in other choices as well, including removing her producer credit from the upcoming Thunderbolts project. These decisions suggest that, although Johansson’s acting as Black Widow appears finished, her connection to Marvel is not necessarily over, but it may evolve into new creative territories over time.
The Current and Future MCU Landscape Without Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow
Though fans hold out hope for Natasha Romanoff’s unexpected reappearance, Johansson’s statements and recent career moves point toward a definitive end to her portrayal of Black Widow. It aligns with the larger transitions among longtime Marvel stars, with cast members such as Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Vanessa Kirby, and Chris Evans each forging new directions within or outside the universe. In recent Marvel art, Robert Downey Jr. reprises a villain role as Doctor Doom, highlighting the ever-evolving MCU cast dynamic.
After spending a decade building up her role and collaborating with fellow actors in the MCU, Johansson is choosing to pursue new creative opportunities. Her lasting impact on the franchise is secure, and while Avengers: Doomsday might offer surprises, the return of Black Widow as interpreted by Scarlett Johansson remains firmly off the table—at least for now.
As the MCU continues to expand with new talent and shifting storylines, Johansson’s candid remarks serve as a reminder that character endings can matter deeply to both actors and audiences. Change in the Marvel landscape is inevitable, and her legacy as Black Widow stands as a testament to the power of a well-told story arc.
