Scarlett Johansson Confirms Black Widow Is Dead but Marvel Fans 'Don't Want to Believe It': 'Let It Go'

Mar. 15, 2025

Scarlett Johansson in ‘Black Widow’.Photo:Disney/THA/Shutterstock

Disney/THA/Shutterstock

Scarlett Johanssonhas moved on from theMarvel Cinematic Universe— and she wants her fans to do the same.

“Natasha is dead,” said the actress, 40, of herAvengerscharacter in anInStyleinterview published Tuesday, March 11. To put a finer point on it, she added, “She is dead. She’s dead. Okay?”

Fans of Natasha Romanoff, a.k.a. Black Widow, however, seem to have wishful thinking when it comes to the character’s universe-saving death in 2019’sAvengers: Endgame. Despite leading a prequel, 2021’sBlack Widow, Johansson confirmed she will not be returning to the role.

However, Marvel devotees “just don’t want to believe it,” she said. “They’re like, ‘But she could come back!’ Look, I think the balance of the entire universe is held in her hand. We’re going to have to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment.”

Although Natasha’s onscreen death was straightforward, Johansson’s exit from the franchise proved more complicated. In July 2021, the Oscar nomineefiled a lawsuitagainst distributor The Walt Disney Company, alleging that its simultaneous release ofBlack Widowin theaters and on streaming service Disney+ breached a stipulation in her contract that it be released exclusively in theaters. Months later, she and the conglomeratereached a settlement; its terms were not disclosed.

Scarlett Johansson on Feb. 16, 2025.NBC/Noam Galai/NBC via Getty

NBC/Noam Galai/NBC via Getty

Back in 2023, a less certain Johanssonaddressed speculationthat Natasha could return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “I think it was the end, right?” she said on theTodayshow. “It would be a miracle. It would bea real Marvel miracle. It would be a marvel. But who knows?”

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The MCU, meanwhile, continues apace after the February release of Anthony Mackie’sCaptain America: Brave New World. Next up isThunderbolts*(in theaters May 2),The Fantastic Four: First Steps(in theaters July 25) andtwo moreAvengersinstallments.

Johansson next stars inThe Phoenician Scheme(in theaters June 6) andJurassic World: Rebirth(in theaters July 2).

source: people.com