Scarlet Johansson Is Officially Returning to the MCU

Once upon a time, it looked like the biggest Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) stars were moving on. With Avengers: Endgame bringing the Infinity Wars Saga to a fulfilling conclusion, fans believed that they had seen the last of the original Avengers: Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America), and Scarlet Johansson (Natasha Romanofff/Black Widow).

While Johansoon subsequently returned for 2021’s Black Widow (which was set before the events of Endgame), the film was advertised as a swan song of sorts for the popular character.

Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff and Florence Pugh as Yelena in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2020. All Rights Reserved.

As the MCU struggled to find its footing in a post-Endgame world, fans and executives alike found themselves pining for the original Avengers to return.

Evans and Downey Jr. Have Since Returned

While it remains to be seen what (if anything) the future holds for Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow, it is clear that Marvel’s biggest stars are not done with the franchise yet.

Photo: Marvel

In the last four months, Marvel fans have seen Robert Downey Jr. announce his return as Doctor Doom for Avengers: Doomsday, Chris Evans reprise his role as Johnny Storm and now Scarlet Johnasson return to the franchise.

Johansson Comes Home

In a recent press release announcing the release of the first trailer for next year’s Thunderbolts*, Disney revealed that Scarlet Johansson will serve as an executive producer on the upcoming film.

Photo: Marvel

Johansson’s return to the MCU, in any capacity, is perhaps more shocking than Downey’s return as Doom.

Just three years ago, Johannson and Disney were in a bitter legal fight over the latter’s decision to release Black Widow straight to Disney+. Amid the very public battle, Disney released a statement attacking Johansson for her “callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 22: (L-R) President of Marvel Studios/Producer Kevin Feige and Scarlett Johansson attend the Los Angeles World Premiere of Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame” at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)

It was a shocking public attack from Disney on a star who had not only appeared in eight Marvel movies but was also a fan of the Disney brand. At the time, it seemed unfathomable that Disney and Johansson would ever work together again.

The Two Sides Have Reconciled

Three years later, however, the rift between the actress and Disney has healed. In July, Johannson looked back on the incident and seemingly blamed then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek.

“I don’t hold a grudge,” Johansson said. “I think it was just poor judgment and poor leadership at that time. It just felt very unprofessional to me, the entire ordeal. And honestly, I was incredibly disappointed, especially because I was holding out hope until, finally, my team was like, ‘You have to act.’”

Photo: Getty Images

Now, with Bob Iger back at Disney’s helm, Johansson has fully returned to the fold.

Will Black Widow Return?

Johansson’s inclusion as an Executive Producer may even open the door for a return as Black Widow in the MCU.

Source: Marvel Studios

With the Marvel multiverse set to come together for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Infinity War, there should be ample opportunity for Natasha Romanoff to return. Perhaps then, like Downey and Evans, Johansson’s Marvel story is not over yet.