Actress Scarlett Johansson, who has earned two Academy Award nominations, remains puzzled by the lack of Oscar recognition for Avengers: Endgame, in which she portrayed Black Widow. Despite its status as one of the most successful films ever, the 2019 Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster received only a single nomination for visual effects.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Johansson expressed her disbelief, stating, “How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar? It was an impossible movie that should not have worked, that really works as a film — and also, it’s one of the most successful films of all time.” Avengers: Endgame is widely regarded as one of the top achievements in the MCU, yet the Academy has historically been reluctant to award superhero films in major categories such as acting and directing. The only Marvel film to receive such recognition to date is 2018’s Black Panther. Johansson’s performance as Natasha Romanoff, from her debut in 2010’s Iron Man to her poignant death in Endgame, was certainly noteworthy.
Despite her attachment to the character, Johansson also shared with Vanity Fair her doubts about returning to the MCU. “It would be very hard for me to understand in what capacity [returning] would make sense for me, for the character that I play,” she remarked. Johansson emphasized the importance of respecting the completion of Natasha Romanoff’s story arc, saying, “I miss my buddies and really would love to be with them forever, but what works about the character is that her story is complete. I don’t want to mess with that. For fans, too — it’s important for them.”
Following Black Widow’s death in Endgame, Johansson reprised her role in the 2021 prequel film Black Widow, which she also executive produced, providing fans one last adventure with the beloved character.
