MCU Star Scarlett Johansson Casts Doubt on Black Widow Return: 'She's Dead'

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 persistent 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 significance in her career but firmly believes it's time to let Black Widow's heroic sacrifice rest. She explained, “They just don't want to believe it," adding, "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.”

Black Widow's death in Avengers: Endgame (2019), where she sacrificed herself to save Hawkeye, was presented as unambiguous. However, this hasn't stopped fan theories about potential resurrections, fueled by the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. These films are anticipated not only as the next chapter of the MCU but also as potential showcases for returning characters.

While Robert Downey Jr. is confirmed to be playing Doctor Doom, and rumors persist about Chris Evans's potential return as Captain America (which he has denied), the possibility of other deceased characters reappearing remains a topic of much discussion. Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter, despite dying twice in the MCU, is also rumored for a role in Doomsday. Given this context, Johansson's denial of Black Widow's return is understandable, even amidst widespread fan speculation.

To see which characters, living or dead, appear in the upcoming films, audiences will have to wait until Avengers: Doomsday (May 1, 2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027). For more on the MCU, explore our list of upcoming movies and shows. Don't forget to catch the latest episode of Daredevil: Born Again, airing tonight.