Scarlett Johansson, a stalwart of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has firmly stated that her character, Black Widow, is "dead" and she doesn't seem keen on reprising the role anytime soon. During an interview with InStyle, Johansson addressed the future of her iconic Avenger character while also looking forward to her next big venture in this summer's blockbuster, Jurassic World Rebirth. Despite the significant impact Black Widow had on her career, Johansson appears uninterested in returning to the role of Natasha Romanoff.

"Natasha is dead. She is dead. She's dead. Okay?" Johansson emphasized, responding to fans' persistent calls for her return. "We’re going to have to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment." Johansson last portrayed Black Widow in the 2021 standalone film, but the character met her definitive end in 2019's Avengers: Endgame, sacrificing herself to save Jeremy Renner’s Clint Barton, known as Hawkeye. Despite this clear-cut death, fans continue to speculate on potential ways to bring her back.

"They just don't want to believe it," Johansson added. "They’re like, ‘But she could come back!’ Look, I think the balance of the entire universe is held in her hand. We’re going to have to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment."

The MCU community has a long history of theorizing about the return of deceased characters, and upcoming event films like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are fueling these speculations. These films are not only anticipated as pivotal chapters in the MCU saga but are also expected to be filled with cameos from beloved characters.

While Robert Downey Jr. is set to transition from Iron Man to play Doctor Doom for the first time in over a decade, there have been rumors about other familiar faces returning. The Wrap reported in December that Chris Evans might return as Captain America, though he later denied these claims. This has kept fans guessing about his potential involvement in future MCU projects.

Additionally, Hayley Atwell’s Agent Carter, who has died twice in MCU movies, is rumored to appear in next year’s Doomsday project. With so many characters potentially returning, it's understandable that fans continue to speculate, even with Johansson’s clear statement about Black Widow. The wait continues until May 1, 2026, for Avengers: Doomsday, and May 7, 2027, for Avengers: Secret Wars, to see which characters, living or dead, will make an appearance.

For those eager for more MCU updates, you can explore our comprehensive list of every upcoming movie and show Marvel has in the works. Additionally, don't miss out on Marvel's latest project, Daredevil: Born Again, with its third episode premiering tonight.