Although the Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently gearing up to bring its first female-fronted superhero movie to fruition in 2019 with Captain Marvel, there's another feminine member of the MCU who deserves more credit: Black Widow. Scarlett Johansson's badass super spy has been a mainstay of the Marvel films since Iron Man 2, and many people think it's time for her to get a movie of her own. Chris Evans certainly agrees with the notion, and he seems to think that Johansson's natural charisma would make a Black Widow movie an easy sell at the box office. The Captain America actor explained:
It would really just clean up, wouldn't it? Scarlett is so good at everything she does. She's played such a crucial part in the other films. She always makes her presence so felt--even when there are 50 different superheroes running around onscreen. I wouldn't be surprised if that happens at some point in the future. I'm sure Scarlett would be open to it.
Chris Evans' recent remarks to Elle about the possibility of a Black Widow solo movie pretty much echo what many of us have been thinking for quite some time. Natasha Romanoff has become a fan-favorite aspect of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe over the course of her tenure in the Marvel franchise (even among an increasingly crowded roster of beloved superheroes), and much of that is due to Scarlett Johansson's handling of the character. Considering how long she has existed as a supporting member of this franchise (and the fact that Johansson would likely agree to the role) it would make sense to finally go all in on a Widow film.
This decision is interesting from a business perspective as well. Scarlett Johansson was calculated as the highest-grossing Hollywood actor for 2016, which at the very least means she has the necessary box office clout to carry a Marvel film on her own. Beyond that, she has become a staple of the non-Marvel action genre with her roles in movies like Lucy and Ghost in the Shell. A Black Widow _movie wouldn't be the first modern female superhero film by the time it debuted in theaters (that honor will go to DC's Wonder Woman_), but with Scarlett Johansson's reputation behind it, it could easily be one of the best and most successful.
That said, Marvel's hesitation to move forward with a Black Widow movie may have more to do with time than anything else. At 32, Scarlett Johansson is one of the youngest stars in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, which means the risk of her aging out of the role is considerably lower than someone like Robert Downey Jr., who plays Iron Man. Marvel Studios could easily position a Black Widow solo movie at the tail end of Phase 4 and Johansson would still be young enough to capably perform in the role. As long as they eventually get around to it, Marvel has an opportunity to make longtime fans (as well as Chris Evans) very happy.
Scarlett Johansson's Ghost in the Shell is currently in theaters, and she will return as Black Widow when The Avengers: Infinity War debuts on May 4, 2018. Here's everything we know about the upcoming Avengers epic.
