UPDATE: What’s New with Black Widow?

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With WandaVision streaming on Disney+, the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has officially begun. And so far, the fourth chapter has gotten off to a glorious start in WandaVision. However, if you can stop unpacking those Bolshevik jokes in the enigmatic streaming sitcom for just one moment, then you may ask yourself: what’s up with the MCU’s long-awaited Black Widow standalone movie?

A History of Natasha Romanoff

The standalone movie starring the eponymous super spy Natasha Romanoff, played by Scarlett Johansson, is meant to provide a coda for Black Widow, a character who died during the events of 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.

Photo: Marvel Studios

Romanoff was first introduced in 2010’s Iron Man 2 before appearing in The Avengers (2012). While she played a significant role in 2014’s Captain America 2: The Winter Solider and 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, the upcoming Black Widow is the first solo outing for the longstanding Avenger.

The film will explore Romanoff’s backstory for the first time. Additionally, the story explores her childhood, spy training in the Soviet Red Room, and her contentious relationship with her found family.

Black Widow Movie Release Delays

Black Widow was meant to be the first movie in the MCU’s Phase Four, with the action/espionage flick initially scheduled for a May 2020 theatrical release – which clearly didn’t happen.

Photo: Marvel Studios

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the movie was delayed not once, but twice: first to November 2020, and then again to its current scheduled theatrical release date of May 7th, 2021 – although the spring release date is still up in the air according to (completely unofficial, see The DisInsider) rumors…

Is Black Widow Going Straight to Streaming?

Is it possible there will be a direct-to-Disney+ release of Black Widow? Not according to this article on Screen Rant, which cites a THR report that states that the studio has no plans to release the flick centering the Avenger’s own super spy directly to streaming.

Meanwhile, a report over at Digital Spy states that the runtime for Black Widow has been confirmed at 133 minutes, or 2 hours and 13 minutes – which makes it lengthier than the debut outings for Thor or Iron Man, but not quite as long as Black Panther.

Photo: Marvel Studios

Black Widow is directed by Cate Shortland. In addition to Johansson, it features Florence Pugh as Yelena, David Harbour as Alexei/Red Guardian, O-T Fagbenie as Rick Mason, and Rachel Weisz as Melina.

If that’s not enough Black Widow for you, then watch the Eat the Universe video below to learn how to make “Black Widow’s Beet Borchst” by Justin Warner and the Soska Sisters.

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