Scarlett Johansson, a veteran of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has definitively stated that Black Widow is dead and shows no interest in reprising the role. During an interview with InStyle, while promoting her upcoming role in Jurassic World: Dominion, Johansson addressed fan speculation about Natasha Romanoff's return. She emphatically declared, “Natasha is dead. She is dead. She's dead. Okay?”
Johansson acknowledges the character's importance to her career but insists it's time to accept Black Widow's fate. Black Widow's death in Avengers: Endgame, a sacrifice to save Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), was depicted unequivocally. Despite this, fans continue to theorize about her possible return. Johansson commented on this persistent hope, stating, “They just don't want to believe it... 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.”
This speculation is fueled by upcoming MCU films, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, which are rumored to feature cameos from deceased characters. While Robert Downey Jr.'s return as Doctor Doom is confirmed, rumors of Chris Evans's return as Captain America have been denied by Evans himself. Similarly, Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter, despite dying twice in the MCU, is rumored for a Doomsday appearance. These rumors, coupled with Black Widow's enduring popularity, contribute to the ongoing fan speculation.
However, Johansson's firm stance leaves little room for doubt. Fans will have to wait until Avengers: Doomsday (May 1, 2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027) to see which characters, living or dead, will appear. For more on the MCU, explore our list of upcoming projects and catch the latest episode of Daredevil: Born Again.
