Scarlett Johansson is back in business with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the Black Widow star is attached to Thunderbolts*. Johansson played Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, from 2010 to 2021. Natasha died in a teary sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, being vital to the heroes defeating Thanos. Johansson’s latest MCU project was 2021’s Black Widow, a prequel movie that finally honored Black Widow’s MCU timeline with a solo entry, serving as what seemed to be the end of the partnership between the star and Marvel Studios.
An official press release from Disney has revealed that Scarlett Johansson is an executive producer of Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*. This development comes after a previous confirmation that the actress was set to serve as a producer alongside Kevin Feige on an MCU project. Johansson was not fond of the Black Widow movie having been released in theaters and on Disney+’s Premier Access at the same time, which led to a lawsuit, but ultimately seems to not have impacted the star’s relationship with Marvel. Johansson’s connection to the MCU film makes sense due to Thunderbolts*‘s cast of characters. The first trailer for 2025’s Thunderbolts* has been released by Marvel Studios.
What Scarlett Johansson Returning To The MCU as Thunderbolts’ Producer Means
The Black Widow Star Is Back In Action
In 2021, at the 35th annual American Cinematheque Award (via ComicBook.com), which Scarlett Johansson received, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed that the actress would continue involved with the MCU even if she did not appear as Natasha Romanoff. At the time, Feige revealed that he was working with Johansson on “another non-Black Widow-related top-secret Marvel Studios project with her as a producer.” Now, it seems like 2025’s Thunderbolts* is the project in question, even though rumors started circling about a Johansson-produced MCU series being in development.
Marvel is trying to keep its biggest stars involved with the franchise as it attempts to course-correct after some mixed results in recent years.
Johansson’s return to the MCU is part of a growing trend. Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. had previously departed the franchise, recently returning as different characters, the Human Torch and Doctor Doom, respectively. While Johansson returns in a producer capacity, different from Downey and Evans, it shows that Marvel is trying to keep its biggest stars involved with the franchise as it attempts to course-correct after some mixed results in recent years. Johansson being an executive producer on Thunderbolts* also makes a lot of sense, as the multiple characters from Black Widow play a role in the film.
Our Take On Scarlett Johansson Returning To The MCU as Thunderbolts’ Producer
The MCU Can Only Be Better With Johansson Involved
I believe Thunderbolts* is the perfect fit for Johansson’s first project in this new chapter for her and Marvel. The movie features Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and Taskmaster from Black Widow — a movie Johansson was the star of and also an executive producer — as members of the team. Johansson can take the lessons learned in the MCU, her deep knowledge of the Black Widow characters in Thunderbolts*, and her ample experience in Hollywood to help the 2025 movie. I want to see the stars who made the MCU what it is continuing to help the franchise, Scarlett Johansson included.
All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies
Source: Disney
