Scarlett Johansson is an OG Avenger, having been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2010's Iron Man 2, but she has never had her own solo film. That is about to change, as a standalone Black Widow film is finally in the works. Scarlett Johansson will earn her due for the film too, as it is being reported that the actress could make a whopping $15 million for the Black Widow movie.
The $15 million is a ton of money, but as noted by THR, it is far from unprecedented in the MCU. Chris Evans made $15 million for Captain America: Civil War and Chris Hemsworth made $15 million for Thor: Ragnarok. Those two also made the same amount each for their roles in this year's Avengers: Infinity War and will again enjoy that sum for Avengers 4.
Scarlett Johansson's payday will eclipse the paydays for other MCU actors' first solo films like the $500,000 Robert Downey Jr. made for the first Iron Man or the apparent $2 million Chadwick Boseman made for Black Panther. Scarlett Johansson has proven her box office viability outside the MCU, and she has been a major part of the franchise up to this point, even if she's only now getting her own film.
Scarlett Johansson made over $1 million for 2012's Avengers, but it seems now, with the long-awaited Black Widow movie, Scarlett Johansson is truly cashing in and getting paid what she's worth. This wouldn't quite be the $25 million that she it was speculated she was asking for, but it would at least bring her in line with her male MCU co-stars.
It should be noted that in response to The Hollywood Reporter's story about Scarlett Johansson's payday for the Black Widow movie, Marvel made a statement refuting the numbers, which read:
Marvel Studios disputes the accuracy of these numbers, and as a matter of policy, we never publicly disclose salaries or deal terms.
So if the $15 million is close to the mark or way off, it seems that based on its policy, Marvel Studios isn't really going to say. But it seems likely the actress will get a nice payday for the film and it is well deserved.
This isn't the only disputed number around a Marvel Studios actress today either. It was also reported that Brie Larson will make $5 million for her MCU debut in Captain Marvel and that this huge payday for her first outing as Carol Danvers came with the caveat that she had to sign on for a seven-picture deal. However, Brie Larson shot down those numbers.
Either way, it seems that as the women of the MCU are finally coming to the forefront, with their character's names on the marquee, they are commanding better paydays.
We don't yet know when the Black Widow movie will be released or what it will be about, but we do know that director Cate Shortland will helm the flick, with rumors that it may be a period piece set around the turn of the millennium.
You don't have to wait until the Black Widow movie though to see Scarlett Johansson's character again. The heroine will be back for Avengers 4, which hits theaters on May 3, 2019. For all of the biggest movies hitting in a blockbuster-filled 2019, check out next year's release schedule.
