Scarlett Johansson, a two-time Academy Award nominee, has expressed her surprise over *Avengers: Endgame* not receiving more recognition from the Oscars. Despite being a monumental success both critically and commercially, the film only received one nomination—for Best Visual Effects. In a recent conversation with *Vanity Fair*, Johansson voiced her disbelief, stating, “How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar? It was an impossible movie that should not have worked, yet it works beautifully as a film—and let’s not forget, it’s one of the most successful movies ever made.”
While *Avengers: Endgame* is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has historically been reluctant to award top honors—like Best Actor, Best Actress, or Best Director—to superhero films or genre-based cinema. In fact, the only Marvel Studios film to receive a major Oscar nod so far is *Black Panther*, which earned a Best Picture nomination in 2018. Johansson’s portrayal of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, spanning from her debut in *Iron Man* (2008) through to her emotional send-off in *Endgame*, has been praised for its depth and evolution over time.
Despite the critical acclaim, Johansson admits she likely won’t be returning to the MCU anytime soon. “It would be very hard for me to understand in what capacity [returning] would make sense for me, for the character that I play,” she explained.
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“I miss my buddies and really would love to be with them forever, but what works about the character is that her story is complete. I don’t want to mess with that. For fans, too—it’s important for them.”
Following Natasha Romanoff’s tragic demise in *Avengers: Endgame*, Johansson reprised the role one final time for the character’s standalone prequel, *Black Widow*, released in 2021. The film not only marked her return but also gave closure to the character’s past, a project Johansson also took part in executive producing.
