10 Characters Carrying On Black Widow’s MCU Legacy After Her Death

The MCU hasn’t been the same since Black Widow died in Avengers: Endgame, but there are many characters left who can carry on her legacy. Scarlett Johansson debuted as the character in Iron Man 2 and became an MCU regular, appearing as Natasha Romanoff eight times, including films such as The Avengers, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War. Despite her longevity in the MCU, she didn’t receive her own solo film until 2020, after her character had already died.

Her solo film, Black Widow, introduced audiences to her family and revealed more about Black Widow’s timeline before she became a member of The Avengers. It proved that she would have a lasting legacy within this universe, not only through her friends and family, but also through characters who relate to her experiences. While Natasha may no longer be a part of the MCU moving forward, there are several heroes and villains who will keep her relevant. Here are 10 characters who will carry on Black Widow’s legacy in the MCU.

10 Yelena Belova

While audiences didn’t meet Yelena until Black Widow, she arguably has the deepest relationship with Natasha. The two are not only sisters but were trained together and went through a traumatic experience to become deadly assassins in the widow program. They share several similarities as they are both trying to escape pasts where they performed horrible acts commanded by Dreykov. Yelena wants to redeem herself while also being more like her sister, whom she looked up to as a selfless hero.

9 Hawkeye

Clint Barton and Natasha have a long history that was never fully explored within the MCU. The pair were partners but also great friends, as Clint’s kids developed an aunt-like relationship with Natasha. Clint still feels deep regret after letting Black Widow fall to her death, even though it was a necessary sacrifice, and is constantly trying to live up to who she felt he could be. Clint and Nat were a dynamic pair, and their on-screen chemistry will be missed.

8 Kate Bishop

Kate Bishop is a new character in the MCU and never had an encounter with Black Widow. However, she is close to two characters who have emotional connections to Natasha: Hawkeye and Yelena. As the protégé to Clint Barton, she is learning many of the same skills and lessons that Clint and Natasha shared. Through her interactions with Yelena, she learned more about who Natasha was and why Yelena felt so attached to her. Kate won’t ever meet Black Widow, but she knows two people who are extensions of who Black Widow was.

7 Hulk

Hulk/Bruce Banner and Natasha had a brief romantic relationship that wasn’t given the chance to develop after Avengers: Age of Ultron. However, the pair were great friends, and the Russian spy was one of the few people who could calm Bruce down when he went full-Hulk. Bruce might have moved on, as it still hasn’t been revealed who he had a kid with, but his relationship with Black Widow is important as she is one of the few people he’s comfortable being around.

6 Captain America

Sam Wilson didn’t have the same relationship with Natasha that she had with Steve Rogers, but he still fought alongside her in The Winter Soldier, Civil War, and The Avengers films. Their connection wasn’t as strong, but they had similar goals, and Sam will keep her legacy alive by fighting for what’s right, but in a more public operation. Sam is also a continuation of Steve’s legacy, so there are several former Avengers who will live on through Sam’s actions.

5 Taskmaster

Taskmaster is not only an enemy of Black Widow but also a reflection of Natasha’s terrible deeds in the past. However, the two made amends in Black Widow after Natasha saved her and freed her from Dreykov’s control. Now, Taskmaster is a part of Thunderbolts and will be a part of a special, secretive task force, similar to what Black Widow did. The two were a part of the same corrupt and destructive system, and Taskmaster will try to do more good than evil, similar to Natasha.

4 Melina Vostokoff

Melina Vostokoff is a brilliant scientist and Black Widow agent who is also the adoptive mother to Natasha and Yelena. While she and Red Guardian were undercover agents at the time, they are two people who know Natasha well. They reunited in Black Widow and reformed their mini-family before going their separate ways. While it’s unclear what Melina’s MCU future is, she will likely want to continue her daughter’s legacy and fight for good.

3 Winter Soldier

Winter Soldier and Black Widow fought each other many times throughout the MCU. Similar to Natasha, Black Widow was under the control of a secret organization that manipulated him into doing their bidding. After being freed from his Winter Soldier past, Bucky is looking to redeem himself, whether it’s fighting with Captain America or as a member of the Thunderbolts. Steve was one of the few people Natasha trusted, and if Bucky has any of those same values, then he would be someone worthy of carrying her legacy.

2 Ghost

While Ghost and Black Widow never met each other, they have similar backgrounds. Ghost gained her powers after a quantum accident killed her parents but granted her abilities to phase through things and turn invisible. She became an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., who took advantage of her powers despite them slowly killing her. Ghost is another character who has been manipulated by other agencies and is finally given some sense of independence. While she doesn’t know Natasha, they are somewhat kindred spirits, and Ghost finally has a chance to do some good with the Thunderbolts.

1 Red Guardian

Red Guardian is another person with a close attachment to Natasha, as he is her adoptive father. He is a super soldier who worked for the wrong side and paid the price for it. Yelena and Natasha eventually freed him, but it took a while for things to be right between them. Red Guardian/ Alexei Shostakov is fighting alongside Yelena in Thunderbolts, so the two will have time to continue fixing their relationship while also reflecting on the loss of Black Widow. Hopefully, Red Guardian will keep moving in the right direction in the MCU, being the hero and father that Natasha deserves.