Scarlett Johansson Reflects on Filming The Avengers (2012): ‘It Felt Like a Big Mess’

In a revealing career retrospective interview with Vanity Fair published in June 2025, Scarlett Johansson offered a candid look behind the scenes of The Avengers (2012), one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) most iconic films. The actress, who debuted as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in Iron Man 2 (2010), shared the uncertainty, chaos, and eventual triumph that defined the making of this groundbreaking ensemble movie.

Uncertainty in the Early Days of the MCU

Johansson recalled entering the Avengers set with a mix of excitement and doubt. “When we made the first Avengers, none of us knew what the potential would be,” she said. At that time, Marvel Studios was still stitching together its universe, with individual films like Iron Man (2008) and Thor (2011) showcasing very different tones. “There was Thor, but that character felt like it was from a completely different universe. It was such a different tone from the Iron Man movies. The Captain America movie had its own identity as well,” she explained.

Bringing together characters like Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Hawkeye, and Black Widow created a sense of creative chaos. “It felt like a big mess, to be honest,” Johansson admitted. On set, the cast “all looked insane,” and she recalled wondering, “What are we doing?” The actors had to place their trust in producers like Kevin Feige and director Joss Whedon, who believed in the project’s success even when the cast was unsure.

A Turning Point: The Battle of New York

Despite the initial disarray, Johansson pointed to a pivotal moment during filming—the Battle of New York sequence. A sweeping 360-degree camera shot capturing all the heroes together gave the cast a new perspective. “That was the moment where all of us were like, ‘I think this is maybe gonna work,’” she said. Watching the playback, she admitted it “looked really cool,” even if much of the shoot felt overwhelming in the moment.

Camaraderie Amidst Chaos

Beyond the production challenges, Johansson fondly remembered the friendships and family-like bonds forged during filming. “We became great friends. It was a blast,” she said. Reflecting on the intensity of working on such a high-profile project, she added, “We came out a little bruised and battered, but together. United.” This camaraderie remains one of the most treasured aspects of the experience for her.

The Legacy of The Avengers

Released in summer 2012, The Avengers became a critical and commercial juggernaut, grossing $1.5 billion worldwide and cementing the MCU as a global entertainment powerhouse. Johansson’s reflections highlight the uncertainty and risk behind this success, reminding audiences that even monumental blockbusters can begin as uncertain experiments.

Industry Insights and Coverage

Sources such as Variety, People, Deadline, and GeekTyrant confirm Johansson’s candid admissions about doubts and creative challenges. Meanwhile, The Times of India emphasizes the difficulty of merging distinct cinematic worlds and tones, a struggle echoed by Johansson herself.

Scarlett Johansson’s reflections offer a rare glimpse into the complexities behind creating a cultural milestone. From confusion and doubt to unity and triumph, the making of The Avengers reminds us that even the mightiest heroes face moments of uncertainty before soaring to greatness.