You probably know her face. The red hair, the tactical gear, and that signature landing pose that became a meme before memes were even a thing. When people ask who played Black Widow in the Avengers, the answer is Scarlett Johansson. But honestly, it wasn't always a sure thing. In fact, if a few schedules had aligned differently back in 2009, we might be talking about an entirely different actress right now.
It’s wild to think about.
Johansson didn't just play a role. She basically built the blueprint for female superheroes in the modern era of cinema. Before Iron Man 2, the idea of a female spy holding her own next to a literal god and a guy in a high-tech tin suit felt... risky to studio heads. They were wrong. Obviously.
The Casting Twist That Almost Changed Everything
Let’s get into the weeds for a second. Marvel Studios didn't actually tap Scarlett first. The role of Natasha Romanoff was originally offered to Emily Blunt. Blunt was coming off the success of The Devil Wears Prada and was the top choice. However, because of a pesky "option" in her contract with 20th Century Fox, she was legally obligated to film Gulliver's Travels instead.
She had to pass.
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Scarlett Johansson, who was already a fan of the burgeoning MCU, saw an opening. She didn't just audition; she dyed her hair red before she even got the part. She wanted to show them she was already the character. It’s that kind of aggressive commitment that defines her decade-long run. When she finally stepped onto the set of Iron Man 2 in 2010, the world saw a version of the character that was less "damsel" and more "destructor."
Why Scarlett’s Portrayal Actually Worked
A lot of people forget that Black Widow has no superpowers. None. No super-soldier serum, no gamma radiation, no magic hammer. She has "red in her ledger" and a set of batons. Johansson played Natasha with a specific kind of weariness. You can see it in her eyes during The Avengers (2012) when she’s interrogating Loki. She isn't just a fighter; she’s a master manipulator who uses people's assumptions about her against them.
That’s the nuance.
If you watch her progression from Captain America: The Winter Soldier through Avengers: Endgame, the character shifts. She goes from a guarded spy to the "mom" of the group—the one keeping the lights on at the Avengers compound when everyone else gives up. It’s a grounded performance in a world of flying cities and purple aliens.
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The Physicality of the Role
Playing Black Widow wasn't just about delivering dry one-liners. It was brutal. Johansson has spoken openly in interviews, specifically during the Age of Ultron press junkets, about the intense training regimens. We’re talking Wushu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and gymnastics.
She did a significant portion of her own stunts, though she’s always been quick to credit her long-time stunt double, Heidi Moneymaker. The synergy between the two created a fighting style that was fluid and acrobatic. It was distinct from Steve Rogers’ brawling or Tony Stark’s gadgetry. It felt human. It felt earned.
The Pay Gap and the Disney Lawsuit
We can't talk about who played Black Widow in the Avengers without mentioning the business side. It got messy. In 2021, Johansson did something pretty ballsy: she sued Disney.
The issue was the "day-and-date" release of the Black Widow solo film. It hit theaters and Disney+ simultaneously. Because her contract was tied to box office performance, this move cost her millions. While some criticized her for "complaining about being rich," the move was actually a landmark moment for talent rights in the streaming age. She settled with Disney for an undisclosed amount (rumored to be over $40 million), but the message was sent. Actors' contracts had to evolve for the digital era.
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The Legacy of Natasha Romanoff
Natasha’s death in Avengers: Endgame remains one of the most debated moments in the franchise. Some fans felt she was "fridged" for Clint Barton’s character development. Others saw it as the ultimate completion of her arc—the woman who once only cared about survival finally found something she was willing to die for.
Regardless of where you stand on the Vormir sacrifice, the impact is undeniable. Since her debut, we’ve seen a massive surge in female-led action films. Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and Atomic Blonde all owe a little bit of their DNA to the path Scarlett blazed in 2010.
Key Facts About Scarlett Johansson’s Run:
- Total MCU Appearances: Nine films (not counting the Captain Marvel post-credits cameo).
- First Appearance: Iron Man 2 (2010).
- Final Appearance: Black Widow (2021).
- The Voice: She also voiced the character in various animated projects, though other actresses have stepped in for things like What If...? (specifically Lake Bell).
- Salary Evolution: She started with a low six-figure salary for her first outing and ended as one of the highest-paid actresses in history.
What to Watch Next
If you want to see the full evolution of who played Black Widow in the Avengers, don't just stick to the big team-up movies. The real meat of the character is in the smaller moments.
- Watch Captain America: The Winter Soldier for the best "spy thriller" version of Natasha.
- Check out the 2021 Black Widow film to see her backstory with Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), who is essentially the successor to the mantle.
- Compare her performance in Endgame to Iron Man 2 to see how much she changed the character's vocal fry and posture over eleven years.
The MCU is moving on to a new era with the Thunderbolts and the New Avengers, but the shadow of Johansson’s performance is long. She didn't just play a character; she defined a genre. If you're looking to dive deeper into her filmography, exploring her work in Under the Skin or Lost in Translation shows the range she brought to Natasha that other action stars often lack.