Scarlett Johansson Rules Out Black Widow's MCU Return

Scarlett Johansson, a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) mainstay, has confirmed that Black Widow is definitively deceased and expressed no interest in reprising the role anytime soon.

In a recent InStyle interview, the actress discussed the future of her iconic Avenger character while promoting her upcoming role in this summer’s Jurassic World Rebirth. Despite Black Widow’s significant impact on Johansson’s career, the star indicated she’s ready to move on from Natasha Romanoff.

“Natasha is gone. She’s truly gone. She’s not coming back. Alright?” Johansson stated firmly, addressing fans’ hopes for her return.

“Her sacrifice saved the world. Let’s honor her heroic moment,” she added.

Johansson’s last portrayal of Black Widow was in the 2021 standalone film, though the character met her end in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, sacrificing herself to save Clint Barton, also known as Hawkeye, played by Jeremy Renner. Despite the clear finality of her death, fans continue to speculate about potential returns for her and other characters.

“Some fans refuse to accept it,” Johansson noted. “They keep saying, ‘But she could come back!’ Look, she held the fate of the universe in her hands. It’s time to let her rest. She earned her heroic legacy.”

Speculation about resurrecting deceased MCU characters predates Black Widow’s sacrifice for the Soul Stone. Upcoming films like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are anticipated to be major events, potentially featuring cameo appearances from familiar faces.

It’s confirmed that Robert Downey Jr. will set aside his Iron Man role to portray Doctor Doom in live-action for the first time in over a decade, fueling rumors of other returning stars. In December, The Wrap claimed that Chris Evans might reprise Captain America, a report he later refuted, yet it sparked excitement among fans eager to see how he could fit into future MCU projects.

Similarly, Hayley Atwell’s Agent Carter, who died twice in the MCU, is rumored to appear in next year’s Doomsday film. With so many potential comebacks in discussion, it’s understandable why fans hold out hope for Black Widow’s return, despite Johansson’s clear dismissal. 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 deceased, will appear.

For more MCU updates, explore our guide to all upcoming Marvel movies and series. You can also dive into the latest from the comic giant with Daredevil: Born Again, airing its third episode tonight.