The firsttrailer forBlack Widowhas been released by Marvel Studios, and if you’re wondering how Scarlett Johansson’s superspy character can be back on the big screen after the events ofAvengers: Endgame, you’re not alone. (Warning:Spoilersahead.)
Fortunately, the reason behind her return to the screen doesn’t involve the sort of complicated resurrections or convoluted narratives comic-book stories frequently rely on, so you shouldn’t be confused for long.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably well aware that Black Widow sacrificed herself inAvengers: Endgameby falling to her death to save the universe. No, she isn’t being brought back to life forBlack Widow(at least, not that we know of at this point). Instead, the new film will be a blast from the past.
Marvel Studios has indicated thatBlack Widowis set between the events of 2016’sCaptain America: Civil Warand 2018’sAvengers: Infinity War,making the film a prequel story set before Black Widow enters the fray inInfinity War.
If you need a brush-up onCaptain America: Civil War, the film ends with Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow) and many other Marvel heroes going into hiding after assisting Captain America in a mission that put him at odds with both the U.S. government and some of their former teammates. That’s where — or rather, when —Black Widowpicks up Natasha’s story, with the film exploring where she spent her self-imposed exile afterCivil War.
While it might seem like a short period of time to squeeze her solo adventure into, quite a lot happened in theMarvel Cinematic Universeduring that time.
Two other MCU movies were set in that period:Spider-Man: HomecomingandBlack Panther. Some of the events ofThor: RagnarokandGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2also occurred during that period, albeit in galaxies far away from Earth. As such, there’s a lot to work with in that portion of the MCU timeline.
When we first see Black Widow inInfinity War, she’s already reunited with Captain America and Falcon, soBlack Widowwill show us where she went — and possibly what brought her back to her teammates. Fromwhat we know ofBlack Widowso far, that involves a journey back to Russia, where she first endured the harsh training that made her a lethal superspy.
In fact, all the way back in a March 2018 interview withEntertainment Weekly, Johansson hinted that Natasha experienced some life-changing events leading up to her return inInfinity War— an early nod to the studio’s plans for her character inBlack Widow.
“It’s been a dark time,” said Johansson of her character’s outlook heading intoInfinity War. “I wouldn’t say that my character has been particularly hopeful, but I think she’s hardened even more than she probably was before.”
The events ofBlack Widowwill reportedly bring her back to the Red Room — the mysterious school that trains deadly spies and assassins — and into contact with several former teammates and rivals. During the adventure, she’ll confront some of the demons of her past before finding her way back to Captain America and the Avengers.
Hopefully, that makes it clear why Johansson — and Black Widow — are headed back to the big screen.
