The best way for Scarlett Johansson to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe may not be as Black Widow after all. One of the founding members of the original Avengers, Johansson portrayed the highly-skilled SHIELD agent Natasha Romanoff for almost a decade. She always managed to hold her own against super soldiers and Norse gods despite being an unpowered human, making her a key member of the Avengers.

Johansson’s last on-screen MCU appearance was in 2021’s Black Widow. It served as a farewell of sorts for her character considering Natasha’s fate in Avengers: Endgame. Though Natasha sacrificing herself for the safety of the universe was a touching way to end her MCU story, fans still long to see Johansson in the MCU again, especially after her co-star Robert Downey Jr.’s recent return. There have been plenty of theories about how Black Widow could return to the franchise, but the best way for Johansson to reunite with Marvel could be behind the camera instead.

Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow Story Came To A Conclusion With Avengers: Endgame

Natasha Romanoff Sacrificed Herself For The Soul Stone

The Avengers as we knew them during their Phase 1 debut were largely fractured by the time of 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. The core six fought together again in Avengers: Infinity War and they were part of the group of heroes that weren’t victims of Thanos’ Snap. After coming up with the Time Heist plan in Endgame, it seemed like fans would get to see the original six Avengers fight together one more time. However, the final Battle of Earth ended up proceeding without Black Widow.

In order to obtain the Soul Stone from Vormir, Natasha and Clint Barton realized that one of them would have to sacrifice themselves. After an intense battle over who it would be, Natasha won out and sacrificed herself. While many fans predicted that a major Avenger would die in Endgame, Black Widow’s death caught many off guard. It was ultimately a fitting end for a character who was working so hard to redeem herself from her past actions, but it’s still a shame that we will not get Johansson’s Black Widow anymore.

Scarlett Johansson’s 2025 MCU Comments Highlight Another Way She Can Return To The Franchise

Johansson Could See Herself Returning As A Director

Since her MCU departure, Johansson has been asked a handful of times whether she would return to the franchise. She has essentially stated each time that her time as Black Widow is over as there wouldn’t be a reasonable way to bring the character back from the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. However, in a ᴅᴇᴀᴅline interview at Cannes 2025, Johansson mentioned her possible interest in returning to the MCU in a different way. Read her full quote below:

“I think the movies that I like that are big action movies also have the human connectivity piece. Even producing Black Widow and being a part of the production of that, and the development of the story, and the story between Natasha and Yelena… [there is] I think, a way of doing it, a way of maintaining the integrity of the idea of human connection, family, disappointment, all of the things that were themes in [Eleanor the Great], and doing it in a giant way in a giant universe — there’s ways of doing that… So, yeah, definitely, it could be, it would be fun.” (via ᴅᴇᴀᴅline)

Johansson was at Cannes promoting the film Eleanor the Great, which is the actress’s directorial debut. She has served as a producer on a handful of projects before, including Black Widow for Marvel. Despite the fallout that occurred between Johansson and Marvel after the film’s release, she still maintains a solid relationship with the studio. Her involvement as a producer on Black Widow did wonders for the film as nobody understands the character better than her, and it’s proof that she should take up another behind-the-scenes role in the MCU soon.

Why Scarlett Johansson Returning To The MCU As A Director Could Be Perfect

The MCU Excels At Stories About Human Connection

Johansson stated in her Cannes interview that she enjoys exploring the human connectivity piece. Although the MCU is known for its flashy action and over-the-top superheroes, the projects that tend to do well for the franchise have been grounded, human stories. Captain America: The Winter Soldier remains one of the most beloved MCU films, and Thunderbolts* is being called a return to form. Both films focus on the complexities of human connection, and it’s a huge hint that the studio should focus on these sorts of narratives.

Although Black Widow isn’t considered one of the MCU’s most successful films, it is excellent in many ways. The sisterly bond between Natasha and Yelena is definitely a highlight, as the sisters reconcile after many difficult years apart. It’d be a shame to have Johansson return to the MCU as Black Widow and undo the impact that her death had, but she could still bring the same insight that she brought to Black Widow to the franchise once more, just as the person in the director’s chair instead of on-screen.

Upcoming MCU Movies

• 
  

  

  Thunderbolts*

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  

  

  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  

  

  Avengers: Doomsday

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  

  

  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  

  

  Avengers: Secret Wars

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse