Since she first appeared in Iron Man 2, Marvel has been fielding questions about a solo Black Widow movie – and Marvel’s Kevin Feige has regularly assured the world that it’s on the cards. Despite that, the studio has continued to churn out tentpole after tentpole, centred on the brand’s white male superheroes. The first Marvel film that doesn’t fit that profile is Black Panther – due in 2018. It will then still be another, further year before we see an MCU movie that’s centred on a woman: Captain Marvel, in 2019.
The response from those involved with Marvel – when they’re asked, ‘Where’s our Black Widow movie?’ – has almost always been to point to the Marvel films that she’s appeared in, as if that’s enough for us. As if we should be satisfied with what we have of her already. But, we’re not, and why should we be? None of her appearances have thus far done justice to her character. Yes, the Black Widow of the MCU is capable, determined, and fearless – and can fight most any foe in hand-to-hand combat, and using weaponry – but she’s also the perennial supporting act, and it’s time she had her day at the forefront.
Now that Wonder Woman has finally rendered moot the age-old argument about the lack of profitability of woman-centred action movies, there really is no excuse. The audience for a solo Black Widow films exists. The precedent for a solo Black Widow movie exists. The source material for a solo Black Widow movie exists – in abundance. All that’s required is the will to make it.