Actress Scarlett Johansson responded to recent reports that she will return as Black Widow for a future Avengers film.
At the beginning of the month, Variety’s Tatiana Siegel reported that “sources say there have been talks to bring back the original gang for an Avengers movie. This would include reviving Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow, both of whom were killed off in Endgame.”
She added, “That shouldn’t be a stumbling block — in comic books, beloved characters are often killed off, only to be resurrected thanks to the power of things like the multiverse. But the studio hasn’t yet committed to the idea — if it were able to bring those actors back, it wouldn’t come cheap. Sources say Downey Jr.’s upfront salary for Iron Man 3 was around $25 million.”
Johansson was asked about the report during an appearance on Today where she was hawking her skincare company The Outset.
She stated, “I feel like that’s kind of the end, right? Can you come back? Could it be a vampire version of the character because I’m here for that. Like a zombie version maybe.”
When pressed on whether Marvel has approached her to reprise the role, Johansson responded, “You really ask the hard questions, you know what I mean? So I feel I have to tell you, but I know I actually don’t have to tell you. … I do not. … But I want to so bad. … Yes, change the topic, quickly.”
Johansson would go on to discuss the Tower of Terror film she’s developing with The Walt Disney Company. The Tower of Terror was initially reported by Collider back in June 2021.
At the time the film was being developed by Toy Story 4 director and Inside Out screenwriter Josh Cooley. Johansson was producing the film through her These Pictures company.
The movie was confirmed to be in the works by Disney after they issued a statement announcing they had settled with Johansson after she sued the company for releasing Black Widow to Disney+ on the same day it arrived in theaters.
Disney Studios Chariman Alan Bergman stated, “We appreciate [Johansson’s] contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and look forward to working together on a number of upcoming projects, including Disney’s Tower of Terror.”
Johansson told Today, “It is based off the ride. Now that the writer’s strike is all so over we’re finally able to dive back into polishing up this script. So, yeah, it’s a massive, huge undertaking.”
Johansson previously stated she was done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe back in April. During an appearance on Gwyneth Paltrow’s The Goop Podcast, Paltrow asked Johansson, “And are you done with those?” The Black Widow actress responded, “I’m done. I’m hanging up my suit. Chapter is over.”
She elaborated, “I really felt like I kind of did all that I had to do. Also, coming back and playing a character again and again like that, over a decade of time, is such a unique experience.”
What do you make of Johansson’s comments?
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