Scarlett Johansson Delivers Blunt Response to Avengers: Doomsday Rumors: “Didn’t You See Endgame For Christ’s Sake?”
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
As anticipation builds for Avengers: Doomsday, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s next sprawling ensemble event, one of its most beloved stars, Scarlett Johansson, has firmly shut down rumors of her return. Despite the franchise’s penchant for resurrecting characters—like Robert Downey Jr.’s surprising comeback—Johansson is adamant that her role as Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, concluded definitively with Avengers: Endgame.
Johansson’s blunt dismissal came during a recent interview with her Black Widow co-star David Harbour, who teased her about possibly being a “secret character” in the upcoming film. Harbour joked, “Oh, come on, Scarlett. We all know you’re the secret character. We all know the Black Widow comes back from the dead.” Johansson shot back without missing a beat: “If I come back from the dead, then half the world’s population dies. Didn’t you see Endgame for Christ’s sake?”
Her reference to the pivotal stakes in Endgame highlights how seriously she takes the narrative closure of her character. Natasha’s sacrificial death to secure the Soul Stone was a defining moment in the saga, and Johansson has made it clear she believes that story is complete.
Previously, Johansson explained why returning to the MCU as an actress would be difficult. “It would be very hard for me to understand in what capacity returning would make sense for me, for the character,” she said. Though she misses the camaraderie of the cast, she respects the importance of keeping Natasha’s story intact—for both herself and the fans.
Interestingly, Johansson has expressed openness to returning to Marvel in a different capacity—as a director. Having recently directed her first film, she is interested in exploring behind-the-camera roles, especially given her love for Marvel’s human-centered stories. This indicates that while her days acting as Black Widow may be over, her connection to the MCU might not be entirely severed.
Further signaling her departure from the franchise, Johansson recently removed her producer credit from the upcoming Thunderbolts film, suggesting she’s ready to move on creatively.
After a decade of bringing Natasha Romanoff to life, it’s understandable that Johansson wants to explore new horizons. Fans should probably not expect her cameo in Avengers: Doomsday, but her influence on the MCU remains indelible—and who knows what future Marvel projects might hold under her direction.
For now, Johansson’s message is clear: Black Widow’s story is finished, and it’s time to let the next chapter of the Marvel Universe unfold without her.
