“I Miss My Buddies”: Scarlett Johansson Addresses Whether Black Widow Returns In Avengers: Doomsday

Black Widow’s Avengers: Doomsday chances have received the final word from her Marvel Cinematic Universe actress. The MCU’s Avengers movies are undoubtedly the biggest events in the franchise. As such, many players from all over the MCU are coming back for 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday, which will also include actors from Fox’s original X-Men franchise and possibly more unannounced players. Amid the film’s cast are Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr. With the original Avengers stars appearing in Avengers: Doomsday, there have been rumors about how the rest of the team could be back for more, but at least one won’t.

Speaking with Vanity Fair, Scarlett Johansson confirmed that she will not appear in Avengers: Doomsday. The actress had previously said that it was hard for her to envision coming back to the MCU since Black Widow has such a definitive ending. Johansson’s new comments echo that sentiment, with the actress revealing that even though she would love to be part of Avengers: Doomsday‘s cast and the MCU’s future to keep playing with her “buddies,” she thinks Natasha Romanoff’s story is complete. Check out the full quote below:

“It would be very hard for me to understand in what capacity [returning] would make sense for me, for the character that I play. 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.”

What Scarlett Johansson’s Avengers: Doomsday Comments Mean

The MCU Will Move Forward With Its New Black Widow

On the one hand, it is possible that Johansson could be trying to keep an Avengers: Doomsday return a secret. After all, even though she does not want to mess with Black Widow’s ending, the MCU’s Multiverse Saga could bring back the actress as a variant of Natasha. Still, based on how Johansson has been consistent about not coming back to the franchise for the past few years, I believe that she is speaking the truth. As such, the MCU’s original Black Widow will likely not be in Avengers: Doomsday.

With Johansson adamant on not coming back, the door is wide open for the MCU’s new Black Widow to grow in the Avengers movie. Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova is honoring her sister’s legacy, with Thunderbolts*‘s ending revealing that Yelena is part of the MCU’s New Avengers, leading them. With the New Avengers confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, Pugh’s Yelena could decide to take on her sister’s superhero name, becoming the main Black Widow of the franchise. Through Yelena, fans can continue to feel connected to Natasha, even if Johansson never returns.

Our Take On Scarlett Johansson’s Avengers: Doomsday Comments

The Return Of The Original Avengers Cast Would Have Been Epic

I’m disappointed that Scarlett Johansson is not coming back for Avengers: Doomsday. With Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr. announced for the film, as well as Chris Evans reported to appear, and both of Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner’s heroes still active in the MCU, I thought that a reunion of the franchise’s original Avengers stars would happen. That said, I respect Johansson’s reason why she does not want to return. Black Widow’s story ended in an epic way, and her sacrifice remaining untouched is probably for the best, even if it means Johansson misses out on Avengers: Doomsday.