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 fan speculation about Natasha Romanoff's return. "Natasha is dead. She is dead. She's dead. Okay?" she emphatically declared. Johansson acknowledges the character's significance in her career but firmly believes it's time to accept Black Widow's heroic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, where she died saving Hawkeye. "They just don't want to believe it," Johansson added. "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.”

Despite the unambiguous nature of Black Widow's death, fan theories persist, 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 return as Doctor Doom, rumors about other actors, like Chris Evans's potential return as Captain America (later denied by Evans himself), and Hayley Atwell's rumored appearance in Doomsday despite Agent Carter's on-screen demise, further fuel this speculation. Johansson's firm denial, however, seems to shut down any possibility of Black Widow's return.

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 MCU news, check out our list of upcoming Marvel movies and shows, and don't miss the third episode of Daredevil: Born Again, premiering tonight.