Black Widow Won’t Return for Avengers: Doomsday, Says Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson confirms she’s stepping away from the MCU, citing narrative closure for Natasha Romanoff and past tensions with Disney—here’s everything we know, from Endgame to her explosive Vanity Fair profile.
Natasha’s Sacrifice in Endgame: A Hero’s Farewell
Black Widow’s death in Avengers: Endgame (2019) remains one of the MCU’s most gut-wrenching moments—a sacrifice still debated by fans on Reddit. Natasha and Clint Barton travel to Vormir to retrieve the Soul Stone, learning it requires a soul to be sacrificed—"a soul for a soul," as Red Skull ominously puts it.
“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.”
Johansson’s Natasha, determined to save the universe and her "chosen family," makes the ultimate sacrifice, plummeting to her death so Hawkeye can return to his kids. The scene drew criticism for its lack of an iconic score, but others praised it as the perfect conclusion to her arc—from KGB assassin to selfless hero. Johansson said, "Her story is complete."
The Black Widow Movie Drama: A Legal Battle with Disney
The 2021 Black Widow solo film was supposed to be a victory lap but quickly turned into a legal nightmare. Johansson sued Disney for releasing the film simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access, alleging it violated her contract.
Disney’s icy response only escalated the drama, calling the lawsuit “sad and distressing.” The legal skirmish ended with a settlement in 2023, but the damage was done. Johansson’s lawyer accused Disney of trying to “hide its misconduct in a confidential arbitration,” according to The Hollywood Reporter (April 18, 2023). This may have been the final nail in Natasha’s return coffin.
Vanity Fair Insights: Casting Drama, Avengers Chaos, and Oscar Snubs
Johansson’s May 2025 Vanity Fair profile pulls back the curtain on her MCU beginnings. She wasn’t the first choice to play Black Widow—Emily Blunt originally had the role. Johansson was "devastated" when it didn’t work out, until Blunt’s scheduling conflict gave her "the best call ever."
The first Avengers shoot? A "big mess," she says, recalling how uncool everyone felt in their costumes. Robert Downey Jr. remembered her camera test vividly, calling her presence “a mega-charisma switch.”
Johansson also called out the Academy for snubbing Endgame beyond its visual effects nod: “How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar? It was an impossible movie that should not have worked.”
Fan Reactions: From Respect to Rewrites
Johansson’s announcement sparked heated debate across X. Some fans applauded her commitment to narrative closure:
“Glad they aren’t bringing her back. It would make her sacrifice in Endgame kind of meaningless.” – @JP_Bongiovanni
Others wanted one last ride:
“We NEED that OG6 reunion in Secret Wars.” – @Cinema_Bums
Speculation swirled that a multiverse variant might appear or that she’s negotiating a better deal: “She’s literally coming back as an evil version of Black Widow btw,” one user claimed.
A Lawsuit, a Legacy, and Letting Natasha Rest
It’s hard to ignore how the lawsuit may have soured Johansson’s MCU ties. She emphasized that returning wouldn’t "make sense" for her or Natasha, reinforcing past statements like, "She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment."
Between the legal friction and her insistence on story integrity, it’s clear Johansson isn’t interested in diluting Black Widow’s impact for nostalgia’s sake.
What’s Next for the MCU Without Natasha?
With Natasha gone, Yelena Belova (introduced in Black Widow) appears poised to carry the torch. But Johansson’s absence raises questions about the OG Avengers’ reunion in Avengers: Doomsday (2026), especially as Marvel shifts focus toward the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom.
While some cling to multiversal hope, Johansson has made her position clear: Natasha’s chapter is closed.
News compiled and edited by Ivy Adams.
Sources
DiscussingFilm, Post ID: 1923804021975830877, May 17, 2025
r/marvelstudios, “Black Widow’s Death Scene Was Lazy,” February 8, 2024
r/marvelstudios, “Scarlett Johansson Doubts She’ll Return for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’,” March 11, 2025
The Hollywood Reporter, “Scarlett Johansson, Disney Settle Explosive ‘Black Widow’ Lawsuit,” April 18, 2023
Vanity Fair, “What Scarlett Johansson Wants: AI Boundaries, Respect for Blockbusters—and Revenge on Michael Che,” May 14, 2025
Black Widow (2021 film) - Wikipedia, May 14, 2025
@JP_Bongiovanni, Post ID: 1923805019461075169, May 17, 2025
@Cinema_Bums, Post ID: 1923804198505721979, May 17, 2025
@Ty_James023, Post ID: 1923804199008997657, May 17, 2025
@TheNarrator, Post ID: 1923804515335122979, May 17, 2025
@Bodhi_Tweets, Post ID: 1923804254763896902, May 17, 2025