Scarlett Johansson rules out MCU return with a message to fans: "Natasha is dead"

Scarlett Johansson has ruled out returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, bluntly telling fans: "Natasha is dead."

Johansson's Black Widow met her end in Avengers: Endgame, though she did go on to get her long-overdue standalone film telling her origin story in 2021.

However, despite her death, fans have been eager to see Natasha Romanoff make her return to the MCU, where death doesn't necessarily mean the end for a character.

Disney

Speaking to In Style, Johansson seemingly ruled out making a return and called on fans to let Natasha "have her hero moment".

"Natasha is dead. She is dead. She's dead. Okay?" the actress said. "[Fans] just don't want to believe it.

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"They’re like, ‘But she could come back!’ Look, I think the balance of the entire universe is held in her hand. We’re going to have to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment."

Johansson previously called Natasha's Endgame death her first "active choice" as a character.

Marvel Studios

Speaking at the time, Johansson explained: "She's had an incredible 10-year journey, and I felt that she was finally able to make an active choice. It seemed very in-character, that ultimate sacrifice that she makes. She's made peace with that, and, in some ways, has known that's her destiny all along, in a weird poetic way.

"When you look back on the films, that's in there. All the films have led her to that choice – or to be able to make that choice; or for it to be a choice."

Black Widow is streaming on Disney+.