Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow Movie Comes Down To “Timing”

Marvel certainly doesn’t have a shortage of movies on their plate at the moment. This year alone, they’ve got Spider-Man: Homecoming, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Thor: Ragnarok all set for release, and that’s without mentioning the multiple other films in various stages of production. Yet, Black Widow remains curiously without her own starring vehicle, even though Johansson was 2016’s top-grossing starlet. Indeed, it’s a no-brainer, yet Marvel still doesn’t have Black Widow on their schedule. So, what gives?

According to Johansson herself, it’s a “timing” matter that’s preventing it from happening. In an interview with Total Film for next month’s Ghost in the Shell, Johansson discussed the long-promised project, believing it’s still very much possible.

I’ve talked to Kevin Feige about it. We’re creatively really compatible. I think we both agree that the character is right for a standalone, it’s just a case of timing at this point for both Marvel and myself.

That’s not quite encouraging, but it’s not discouraging, either. Johansson considers Black Widow her favorite role to date, while Anthony Mackie and Jeremy Renner also expressed interest in appearing in the proposed film. Hell, even Joss Whedon once said he would helm it if given the opportunity to do so.

That said, Marvel certainly does have their hands full at the moment, and it’s not like Johansson is without other projects at her own accord. They’re both busy in their own rights. Quite busy, in fact.

Marvel has a really huge roster. They’re looking four years ahead. I also have a lot of things that I want to do. If I did it, I would dedicate myself completely to making it amazing. It would have to be the best version that movie could possibly be. Otherwise, I would never do it … It’d have to be done the right way, though. It’d really have to be its own standalone and its own style and its own story. But there’s a lot of great stuff that you could do with it. It could just be awesome.

Hopefully, these aren’t blank excuses tiding us over. Black Widow deserved her own movie yesterday, and it’d be a shame if “timing” ultimately prevented it from happening. But we respect their efforts and we’re only a little peeved because we do love them. No hard feelings, right?