In another timeline, Black Widow would’ve premiered today. The much-anticipated start of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Four was pushed back to Nov. 6 in hope that the COVID-19 crisis will have passed by then, enabling theaters nationwide to be fully operational. But this isn’t the first time Black Widow’s dealt with disappointment. The film has been fighting from the start.
The idea for a Black Widow movie predates the MCU itself. Lionsgate planned to produce one in 2004, but the project never got off the ground. By 2009, Marvel Studios had regained film rights to the character, and cast Scarlett Johansson as the super-spy.
She made her MCU debut in 2010’s Iron Man 2, in a scene from which appears to factor into the events of the upcoming movie. Johansson went on to play Natasha Romanoff in seven time before finally getting her own film. However, talk of Marvel’s Black Widow began in earnest again around the time of Johansson’s casting.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige discussed the possibility with Johansson, who was then contracted for at least four films. Early on, however, both actor and producer felt it was best to focus on The Avengers films proper. The topic arose again and again in interviews. Marvel and Feige always professed they were committed to doing a Black Widow movie, and Johnasson was supportive, repeatedly claiming she’d love to be involved if that’s what fans wanted. Clearly, many fans did, but it never seemed to be the right time or place in the franchise.
One issue that’s always gotten in the way of Black Widow receiving her due is her lack of an otherworldly superpower. She isn’t a god like Thor, magical like Doctor Strange, or altered in any way like the Hulk or Iron Man. The style of any eventual Black Widow project would have to fit the character’s unique history and abilities. Audiences got to see slivers of her dramatic backstory in Avengers: Age of Ultron. By then, Black Widow had evolved from femme fatale bit player to well-rounded member of the core team, and public interest in the film was there. But the tone of a par-for-the-course Marvel movie just wouldn’t work. Director Joss Whedon had the realization that something like a noir thriller might do the trick.
Of course, some fans (especially female fans) also wondered whether Black Widow’s gender was a bigger hang-up for the studio, As the concept for a Black Widow spy thriller came together, Warner Bros. was already releasing Wonder Woman, which earned more than $800 million worldwide. Marvel may have perfected the cinematic universe, but DC beat the studio to the punch when it comes to female representation.
As Wonder Woman packed theaters in 2017, Marvel finally penciled in a slot for Black Widow… three years later, after the conclusion of the Infinity Saga, and in the form of a prequel. In the meantime, Captain Marvel broke the MCU’s glass ceiling and proved female heroes could also bring box office success.
For Black Widow, Johansson – who is now 10 years older – will play the character in flashback, to the year of Captain America: Civil War. She’ll be joined by veteran Rachel Weisz and newcomer Frances Pugh in a film directed by Cate Shortland, in what’s sure to be seen as a referendum on women and genre filmmaking (whether or not it deserves that scrutiny). That’s why the coronavirus pandemic was so devastating to Black Widow’s prospects. The project has waited patiently on Marvel’s sidelines for a decade. Audiences were starved for fresh Marvel content after a year without any, and Black Widow was poised to capitalize. Now, as those same audiences wait to see what the fallout of the virus will be, Marvel will find out whether it waited too long to give Black Widow the spotlight.