Scarlett Johansson's Iconic Role as Black Widow in the MCU

A. Ms. Johansson is Cast in the Role of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow

18. Ms. Johansson is an esteemed and versatile actress with over 25 years of Hollywood acting experience. Her credits include lead roles in critically-acclaimed films such as Lost in Translation, Match Point, The Prestige, The Other Boleyn Girl, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Her, Don Jon, Chef, Hail, Caesar!, The Jungle Book, Isle of Dogs, Marriage Story, and Jojo Rabbit. She is a two-time Academy Award nominee, a five-time Golden Globe nominee, winner of a BAFTA award, and winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. She will be honored later this fall as the 35th recipient of the American Cinematheque Award.

19. In 2010, Ms. Johansson made her debut in the MCU in Iron Man 2, and she would go on to star in six additional MCU films between 2012 and 2019. The MCU began as a connected series of films about individual superheroes who would come together to form the Avengers superhero team, which initially consisted of Marvel superheroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye, and Black Widow, played by Ms. Johansson. Over time, the MCU grew in scope, introducing other superheroes and teams from Marvel Comics and culminating in two crossover films, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, which brought all of these characters together.

20. Black Widow, also known as Natasha Romanoff or Romanova, is an elite spy and assassin. She is a notable member of the Avengers, not only for being the only woman in the initial lineup, but also because she does not have superhuman abilities. Whereas, for example, Captain America obtained extraordinary strength and athleticism from an experimental “supersoldier” serum, and Thor is the god of thunder who fights with a hammer forged by dwarves in the heart of a dying star, Black Widow relies solely upon her wits and her extraordinary skills, including expertise in hand-to-hand combat. Ms. Johansson accordingly prepared for the role with months of strength training as well as extensive training in stunts, hand-to-hand combat, and weapons combat.