Without a doubt, Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow is a beloved character among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, when we last saw Natasha Romanoff in Joss Whedon’s ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, many True Believers found her storyline to be reductive and out of place. Because of this, some may worry about where we find the super spy when she returns to the big screen in ‘Captain America: Civil War’. Well, the actress behind the deadly Widow’s Bite recently addressed the role that she’ll play in the complicated proceedings between her teammates and friends, so maybe her answers will put you at ease.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Johansson revealed that “there is little room for romance” in the upcoming Phase Three kickoff directed by Joe and Anthony Russo. Rather than pining over the actions of Bruce Banner, she has to focus on being a hero, even though that may not have been what she initially wanted:
“You know, I don’t think she’s ever aspired to become an Avenger. That’s not really a choice that she made. It’s kind of like the events in her life led her to that point and when we see her [in Civil War], she’s finally capable of making a choice for herself. Which is kind of a milestone in someone’s life when they’ve not really participated in the decisions that were made for them. She’s finally at a place where she’s going, ‘Okay, I actually kind of know what I want. And I think I kind of deserve it.’ Unfortunately the events that took place… she has this kind of greater calling and this huge pull towards doing what’s right for the greater good. And she chooses that, and it’s a really heroic thing that she does.”
Keeping that in mind, the big question on everyone’s mind concerns whose side Natasha will be taking. We’ve seen her form close relationships with both Steve Rogers and Tony Stark in the past, so who will she choose to fight alongside in this battle? According to the actress, she’s basically Switzerland in this scenario. At least, that’s what it sounds like she’d like to be:
“I think when you find her in ‘Civil War’, she’s looking to strategize her position, putting herself in a place where she is able to let the powers that be fight it out or whatever amongst themselves. She’s always a little bit on the perimeter so she can have a better perspective of what’s really going on. [She] understands where everyone is coming from. And none of it really matters to her, you know? There’s a bigger problem at hand and she’s, I think, strangely, kind of the mediator. Which is not exactly how you would imagine her to be. But I think she really does see both sides of the coin and I think her strength is that she’s not personally involved.”
Though it may be her hope to stay neutral, I have a feeling that Black Widow will get pulled closer to one side over the other. I mean, there are pieces of concept art that say as much, but as in most wars, things don’t always work out the way that you originally planned. We’ll just have to wait and see how Natasha handles it when it inevitably happens to her.
Where do you see Black Widow’s allegiances lying in ‘Captain America: Civil War’? Do you think that she’ll be able to stay on the perimeter for long? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below.
‘Captain America: Civil War’ starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Chadwick Boseman, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Elizabeth Olsen, Frank Grillo, Daniel Bruhl, Martin Freeman, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, Emily VanCamp, Paul Rudd, and William Hurt opens in theaters on May 6, 2016.
