Scarlett Johansson Confirms Black Widow's Fate: 'She's Dead'

Scarlett Johansson, a veteran of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has firmly stated that her character, Black Widow, is "dead" and she appears uninterested in reprising the role in the near future. During an interview with InStyle, Johansson addressed the future of her iconic Avenger as she prepares to star in the upcoming big-budget film, Jurassic World Rebirth. Despite the significant role Black Widow played in her career, Johansson seems ready to move on from Natasha Romanoff.

"Natasha is dead. She is dead. *She's dead.* Okay?" Johansson emphasized when responding to fans hoping for her return. She added, "We’re going to *have* to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment." Johansson last portrayed Black Widow in the 2021 standalone film, but the character met her end in 2019's Avengers: Endgame by sacrificing herself to save Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton, known as Hawkeye. Despite this clear demise, fans continue to speculate about her potential return.

"They just don't want to believe it," Johansson said about fans' reluctance to accept Black Widow's death. "They’re like, ‘But she could come back!’ Look, I think the balance of the entire universe is held in her hand. We’re going to *have* to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment."

The MCU has a history of bringing back deceased characters, fueling speculation about future films like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. These upcoming movies are anticipated not only as the next chapter in the MCU but also as potential showcases for numerous cameos.

Rumors have circulated about other MCU stars returning, including Robert Downey Jr. transitioning from Iron Man to Doctor Doom, and Chris Evans possibly reprising his role as Captain America, a claim he later denied. Additionally, Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter, who has died twice in the MCU, is rumored to appear in Doomsday. With such speculation rife, it's understandable why fans continue to hope for Black Widow's return, despite Johansson's clear stance.

Fans will have to wait until May 1, 2026, for Avengers: Doomsday, and May 7, 2027, for Avengers: Secret Wars to see which characters, living or dead, make a comeback. In the meantime, for more on the MCU, check out our list of every upcoming movie and show Marvel has in the works. You can also catch up with the latest from Marvel, including the third episode of Daredevil: Born Again, premiering tonight.