Scarlett Johansson on Black Widow’s Avengers: Doomsday Return

As of now, Scarlett Johansson has not publicly confirmed that Black Widow will return in Avengers: Doomsday, and Marvel Studios has not announced her involvement in the film. The character died in Avengers: Endgame (2019), and while multiverse storylines leave room for variants, no official statement or credible report has verified Johansson’s return. This article covers what she has actually said, the character’s comic-book history of returns, and what fans should realistically expect.

What Scarlett Johansson Has Actually Said

Johansson has addressed the possibility of returning to the MCU in several interviews since Endgame. In a 2021 post-Black Widow press conversation with Collider, she said she felt her time as Natasha Romanoff had reached its natural conclusion, adding that she was proud of the character’s arc. In a 2023 appearance on The Today Show, she was asked about reprising the role and responded with a joking “never say never,” but she also emphasized that she had no knowledge of any current plans. As of this writing, she has not walked back that stance, and Marvel has not listed her in any Doomsday casting announcement.

It is worth noting that Johansson’s relationship with Disney was strained after the Black Widow lawsuit in 2021 over the film’s simultaneous streaming release. The two parties settled, and Johansson later said they had “moved forward.” However, a return would require a new deal, and no such deal has been reported by reputable trade outlets like Deadline or The Hollywood Reporter.

Why Fans Think She Might Return

Speculation about a Black Widow comeback in Avengers: Doomsday stems from several sources:

• Multiverse storytelling: The MCU’s current saga is built around alternate realities, so a variant of Natasha from another timeline is narratively easy to write.
• Comic-book precedent: In the comics, Black Widow has been resurrected or appeared as a clone, a time-displaced version, and a member of alternate teams.
• Set photos and leaks: Some fan sites have circulated alleged behind-the-scenes images or casting sheets, but none have been verified by major outlets.
• Johansson’s producer role: She is an executive producer on the Thunderbolts* film, which shares DNA with Black Widow’s story, leading some to assume she might appear in adjacent projects.

None of these constitute official confirmation. Marvel Studios frequently uses misdirection, but they also keep casting under tight wraps until a project is close to release.

How Black Widow Died in the MCU

Natasha Romanoff sacrificed herself on Vormir in Avengers: Endgame so Clint Barton could obtain the Soul Stone. The death was permanent in the main timeline, and the film’s ending shows no resurrection or loophole. The only on-screen appearance after that was in the Black Widow prequel, which is set before Infinity War. The MCU has not introduced a recast or a variant of Natasha in any Disney+ series or film since then, despite the multiverse being fully explored in Loki, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Deadpool & Wolverine.

What the Comics Tell Us About Black Widow Returns

In Marvel Comics, death is rarely permanent. Black Widow has returned through:

• Clones: A clone of Natasha appeared in the Secret Wars storyline, though it was not the original.
• Time travel: Stories like Age of Ultron (comic) pulled heroes from different points in time.
• Resurrection via cosmic forces: In Black Widow (2016), Natasha briefly died and was revived by a mystical artifact called the Red Room’s data stream.
• Alternate universe versions: The comics have featured multiple Earths where Natasha is alive and active.

These precedents make a return plausible, but the MCU has not followed comic-book logic exactly. The studio has kept deaths like Tony Stark’s and Natasha’s largely intact, even as they introduced variants of characters like Gamora (who was a 2014 version, not the one who died).

How Marvel Could Bring Her Back (If They Wanted)

If Marvel Studios decides to include Black Widow in Avengers: Doomsday, the most likely methods are:

1. Multiverse variant: A Natasha from another timeline who never went to Vormir, or who survived because a different hero died, could appear.
2. Flashback or time-travel sequence: The film could feature a scene set in the past, similar to how Endgame revisited earlier events.
3. Vision or hallucination: Another character could dream or see a vision of Natasha, allowing Johansson to appear without resurrecting her.
4. AI or digital copy: The MCU has shown AI versions of characters (e.g., Ultron, Vision), but this would be a stretch for Natasha.

None of these have been confirmed. Marvel often uses misdirection in trailers and interviews, so the absence of news does not rule out a cameo, but it also does not support one.

Common Misconceptions About the Return

Several rumors have circulated that are not supported by evidence:

• “Johansson was spotted on set” – No reputable outlet has published a verified photo of her on a Doomsday set.
• “A solo Black Widow sequel is in development” – Marvel has not announced one, and Johansson has said she is not aware of any.
• “She is signed for three more films” – This has never been reported by a trade publication.
• “Her death was faked” – The MCU has not shown any evidence of that, and the soul stone exchange is a fixed point in the story.

Fans should treat all such claims as speculation until Marvel Studios or Johansson herself makes an official statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Scarlett Johansson confirmed she is in Avengers: Doomsday?

No. She has not confirmed it, and Marvel has not announced her casting. She has only said “never say never” in a joking context, but no official deal has been reported.

Is Black Widow really dead in the MCU?

Yes, in the main timeline, Natasha died in Avengers: Endgame. No MCU project has shown her alive after that point, and the story has not provided a resurrection.

Could a multiverse version of Black Widow appear?

Technically, yes. The multiverse allows for variants, and the comics have used this many times. However, Marvel has not announced any such plan for Doomsday.

Why did Scarlett Johansson sue Disney?

She sued Disney in 2021 over the simultaneous theatrical and Disney+ release of Black Widow, claiming it breached her contract’s box-office bonus terms. The lawsuit was settled, and Johansson later said they had moved past it.

Is there a Black Widow sequel in development?

No. Marvel has not announced a sequel, and Johansson has said she is not aware of one. The character’s story appears complete in the MCU.

Will Thunderbolts* feature Black Widow?

The film stars Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), who took over the Black Widow mantle. Johansson is an executive producer on the project, but she is not expected to appear on screen.

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