Why an Animated Black Widow Comeback Would Benefit the MCU
By Published Apr 10, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT Cooper Hood is the Associate Editor for all new movie releases, in theaters and on streaming. In addition to writing articles about these titles and upcoming releases, he also oversees content planning for each, ensuring that ScreenRant continues to cover major releases for months after their release.
He has written various reviews for ScreenRant that appear on , coordinated Oscars and San Diego Comic-Con coverage, appeared on CNN to talk about Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and done select interviews with talent over the years. Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap
Scarlett Johansson stepped into one of the 's biggest roles in 2010 as Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow in Iron Man 2. She turned the superspy into a beloved character, so much so that calls for her to return persisted after Black Widow died in Avengers: Endgame. Johansson got the chance to come back once more for 2026's Black Widow, which served as a final sendoff for her.
Five years later, hopes for remain. There is so much of her story that is worth exploring in the past to keep Johansson tied to the MCU's main version of the character. But the multiverse has also opened up infinite opportunities for a variant of Natasha to appear.
Marvel Studios has made it clear they aren't ready for the original Avengers stars to fully leave, using time travel and the multiverse to bring Chris Evans' Steve Rogers back for Avengers: Doomsday, while Robert Downey Jr. was given a whole new role as Doctor Doom rather than reprise his role as Iron Man. It's hardly difficult to think Marvel wants to find a way to bring Johansson back as Black Widow, too.
regarding her appearance, and has even stated, "I don't want to mess with [Black Widow's story]," despite , making it clear how difficult it would be for Marvel to convince her to return. But the major Hollywood star has provided a roadmap for it, thanks to her next project, the animated feature Ray Gunn.
Scarlett Johansson's Role In Ray Gunn Shows What A Perfect Black Widow Return Could Look Like For The MCU
Johansson is one of the main characters in , directed by Incredibles' Brad Bird. The film is coming to the popular streamer later this year, with the MCU star voicing a pop star whose career and life are threatened by a scandal.
While Johansson is best known for her live-action roles in action films and acclaimed dramas, she's also a veteran of voice acting. She's done multiple animated movies throughout her career, as well as major voice roles in Disney's live-action The Jungle Book remake and the Oscar-nominated sci-fi romance Her.
Ray Gunn can now join the long list of movies to demonstrate Johansson's excellence as a voice actor. After the praise she received from Her, she's been a recurring presence in Illumination's Sing franchise, part of Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs, and helped headline Paramount's Transformers One. In each instance, Johansson has left a strong impression with her voice work.
That should be what Marvel Studios should focus on for Johansson's Black Widow return. They can forgo a live-action reprisal and consider a , using someone who is a huge star and familiar with voice acting to help Marvel explore more stories in this medium.
Why Having Scarlet Johansson's Black Widow Return In Animated Form Makes More Sense For The MCU Right Now
On top of tapping into the underappreciated nature of Johansson's voice acting, her Black Widow return coming in animation would just work better for the MCU and star at this point.
She still has a love for Natasha as a character, but she doesn't want to ruin her arc by undoing the stakes of her death in any form. Johansson is also incredibly busy with new franchise opportunities like another Jurassic World and a part in The Batman Part II. It could be easier for her to fit in a Black Widow return by doing voice recording sessions periodically over a longer time than blocking out a good portion of her schedule for a live-action role.
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The MCU has already had an issue with MCU heroes who died or had their story finished another way in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame having their actors return in live-action. Downey and Evans have done so, as did Zoe Saldaña for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Johansson's animated return would break that trend.
Furthermore, it'd work better for Black Widow prequel stories to be told in animation. Her early days as a Red Room assassin, her first encounter with the Winter Soldier, and more could all be easily told in this way with Johansson voicing her again. It could even explore an alternate universe, with the animation style then aligning with Marvel's What If...? side of the multiverse.
Whether Johansson ever returns to the MCU in any form remains to be seen, but if she is going to come back as Black Widow, an animated movie or show would be a smart way to go.
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