Scarlett Johansson Says a Solo Black Widow Prequel Movie Is a ‘Possibility’
Scarlett Johansson has played Natasha Romanoff in five Marvel movies, five, and yet she still hasn’t gotten her own Black Widow solo movie. It’s kind of crazy, especially since fans have been clamoring for the female superhero to get her own film for ages – just this summer a new poll found that audiences want a Black Widow movie over any other Avengers character. Kevin Feige recently ignited some hope, saying Marvel is “committing” to giving the superhero her own movie, the Russo brothers called it a “no-brainer,” and Joss Whedon is down to direct. Now Johansson has chimed in to share her ideas for a solo movie.
In an interview with Variety for the trade’s Power of Women issue, Johansson said of a possible standalone film, “I would like for it to happen under the right circumstances.” That probably means it all comes down to an issue of timing, one concerning Johansson’s schedule and another with finding a spot for a Black Widow movie on the Marvel calendar. The actress said she’s talked to the studio about the possibility of the movie a lot, but added that if it happens, it’ll need to happen sooner than later:
It would have to fit in the idea of where they want to go. I’m invested in that character. Marvel is greatly invested in that character. If I did it, I’d have to do it while I still actually wanted to wear a skin-tight catsuit. I don’t know how much longer that’s going to be.
A Black Widow movie without Johansson would be a bit ridiculous at this point, so Marvel better get the ball rolling. But when and if it does happen, Johansson suggests looking to the character’s origin story for inspiration. She told Variety that a prequel solo film was a “possibility”:
She’s got a really rich origins story. There’s a lot of places you can go — you can bring it back to Russia. You could explore the Widow program. There’s all kinds of stuff that you could do with it. You could really uncover the identity of who this person is, where she comes from and where she’s part of.
Johansson added that a Black Widow movie would also need to be different from any other solo superhero movie, saying it would have a “very specific vibe.” The next solo films on Marvel’s upcoming slate include Doctor Strange, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Black Panther, and Captain Marvel. As exciting as those are, Johansson’s been in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for six years now since debuting in Iron Man 2; it’s about time she gets her own story. Until then, you can expect to see Johansson back in the Black Window suit in Avengers: Infinity War on May 4, 2018.