Scarlett Johansson firmly shuts down Black Widow return rumors, insists Natasha Romanoff should stay dead for her hero moment

It's been six years since Black Widow made the ultimate sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, and Scarlett Johansson is still pleading with fans to let go of their hopes for Natasha Romanoff's return. During a conversation with InStyle, Johansson responded with definitive clarity: "Natasha is dead. She is dead. She’s dead. Okay?" Despite her clear stance, devoted MCU fans refuse to accept that their favorite Russian spy is truly gone, continuing to speculate on how she could potentially return. Johansson, however, is resolute.

In her conversation with InStyle, Johansson highlighted the gravity of Natasha's death, emphasizing that her sacrifice was pivotal in the Avengers' defeat of Thanos. The actress pointed out that reversing Natasha’s death would undermine the powerful narrative arc of her final act. “Look, I think the balance of the entire universe is held in her hand," Johansson explained. "We’re going to have to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment.” For Johansson, the heroism of Natasha's death should not be diminished by fan theories or potential resurrections.

Johansson has long defended Natasha’s character arc and final moments. In 2019, she discussed how significant Natasha’s death was for her development as a person. Natasha, who often found herself trapped in a morally gray world, was finally able to come into her own, making an active choice to give her life for the greater good. Johansson noted, “She's understanding her own self-worth. And that is such a powerful journey to see anybody take, but certainly to see a woman on screen represented in that way.” For Johansson, Natasha’s arc was one of empowerment, making her death all the more meaningful.

Despite her death, Natasha Romanoff’s legacy lives on, both in Black Widow, the 2021 film that explored her past, and in the potential future of the MCU, with characters like Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) poised to continue her mantle. But even with the MCU’s multiverse bringing unexpected twists and new possibilities, Johansson maintains that her character’s death should remain permanent. Fans, of course, aren’t as convinced—especially after the surprise returns of other characters like Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man and the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. As Avengers: Doomsday approaches, speculation remains rampant, but Johansson stands firm in her belief that Black Widow's time in the MCU has come to a close.

As the MCU continues to evolve and expand, it seems that Natasha Romanoff’s story, though ended, will continue to influence the franchise in ways fans will appreciate—without undoing her heroic sacrifice.