Making The Case For A Solo Black Widow Movie In The MCU

What Could A Black Widow Film Look Like?

With her rich history within the source material, and well-established character within the film franchise, a Black Widow film could draw upon a number of elements to produce a hugely successful female-led superhero movie.

The most obvious choice would be an origin story, in which Marvel could explore the later years of Black Widow’s training in the U.S.S.R, her transition to the world of enhanced espionage and perhaps, her defection to the United States. This would be a challenge, however, as it would require an actress other than Scarlett Johansson to portray the character. We’ve also not seen a historical origin story in the MCU since 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger.

A different choice would be a movie exploring the early days of the professional relationship between Widow and Hawkeye. This has the advantage of having some precedence in the source material, as well as having been alluded to in 2012’s Avengers. The two characters can be heard to reminisce about past missions while fighting to save New York City, and a film that depicts Black Widow finding and recruiting Hawkeye would give an opportunity for a very different kind of buddy-movie.

Alternatively, Marvel could deliver a contemporary Black Widow tale. Perhaps an old mission returns to haunt her, or perhaps she has to head off alone to help an old ally. Maybe she finds herself having to battle another Widow – as seen in the comic books with HYDRA operative Yelena Belova, who first appeared in Inhumans #5 in 1999. Such a storyline would have the added advantage of seeing a female hero battle a female villain, and might even provide the opportunity for Natasha Romanoff to return to the Red Room in search of a little justice.