Pretty much since she was introduced in Iron Man 2, many fans have been calling for Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow to get her own solo film. Now it appears that it is finally going to happen, as Marvel has hired a screenwriter for the film. The superspy Avenger's solo film could be another unique and exciting MCU entry that falls into its own subgenre, and it sounds like Scarlett Johansson will be involved from the start. While being interviewed for Avengers: Infinity War, the actress spoke about what would interest her with a Black Widow movie and what it should explore, saying:
I love playing this character, and I think there is definitely an opportunity to explore the Widow as a woman who has kind of come into her own and is making independent and active choices for herself, probably for once in her life. You know, she hasn't always had that possibility so if it fit that criteria, then yes, I would want to do it.
As Scarlett Johansson told Entertainment Tonight, something that is rich on a character level is what excites her most about a potential Black Widow film, and part of what would compel her to do such a project. She makes an interesting point that Natasha Romanoff is beginning to make her own choices for the first time in her life, and that where those choices lead could open up some cool storytelling opportunities. If you think about it, Romanoff was KGB, and then she defected and became a S.H.I.E.L.D agent. At each of those points, she was a subordinate, sometimes operating independently, but always on someone else's orders. As an Avenger, Black Widow is a vital part of the decision making process and she has begun to do what she thinks is right, regardless of legality or allegiance. She is now a fugitive because of the choices she made in Captain America: Civil War and that growth could continue in a solo film.
Depending on how Infinity War shakes out and affects the world of the MCU at large, it could have a huge impact on the kind of story the Black Widow film can tell. It sounds like the story has to be right for Scarlett Johansson, and I'm sure that Marvel will make sure it is. Disney and Marvel have seen the success of Wonder Woman and Black Panther and are now keenly aware that having a bigger tent with a more diverse group of heroes represented is a financially viable course of action. Despite her being the pioneering female hero in the MCU, Black Widow won't be the first to get her own solo movie in this franchise, as Captain Marvel is due out next year.
Black Widow is one of the most captivating characters in the MCU with her dark past and history as a spy. The character is now a known and proven commodity in the films and audiences won't need a primer on who she is, so whether the solo film is a direct prequel or if it takes place in present day, everyone can dive in feet first. This is in contrast to Captain Marvel, who the average person is probably unfamiliar with. Scarlett Johansson is also one of the few bankable stars these days and is probably well worth her asking price.
While we await confirmation of her solo outing, hopefully along with a whole Phase 4 slate, you can see Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow in Avengers: Infinity War, in theaters on April 27.
