Scarlett Johansson joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Iron Man 2 in 2010. Since that time, Johansson portrayed Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, in eight movies, culminating with Black Widow in 2021. After 11 years of portraying Black Widow for Marvel, fans watched Natasha change over the decade.
In Iron Man 2, Black Widow started as a hyper-sexualized undercover femme fatale and she eventually became a powerful leader who held the surviving Avengers together in Avengers: Endgame. In her last role in Black Widow, fans get to see her at the top of her game, receiving her own solo movie and completing her journey through the MCU.
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Scarlett Johansson’s first appearance in the MCU occurred in Iron Man 2. The movie saw Natalie Rushman gain employment for Stark International as Tony Stark’s new assistant. In reality, she was S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Natasha Romanoff, also known as the Black Widow, sent undercover by Nick Fury.
In Iron Man 2, Black Widow used her appearance to gain trust before revealing her true mission and going on the attack. By the end, she helped Iron Man when Whiplash and Justin Hammer’s armored drones attacked.
The Avengers (2012)
In The Avengers, Black Widow went from a side character to an important member of the team, although she still had some growth before becoming the powerful warrior fans know today. Much of The Avengers explored her relationship with fellow S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Hawkeye, as they both took on roles as Avengers in the Battle of New York.
The Avengers is where Black Widow got to know Captain America better and she established herself as the top active female superhero on Earth in the MCU.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Black Widow showed her true skills as a superspy in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. This movie opened with an espionage mission. Captain America thought they were heading out on a rescue mission, but Black Widow was under orders to retrieve information for Nick Fury. She also got another chance to show her fighting skills against several bad guys at once.
However, Black Widow also proved here that she was more than a soldier following orders. Hydra revealed they overtook S.H.I.E.L.D., and Black Widow went on the run with Captain America and helped fight to take down Hydra. This was pivotal in establishing her friendship with Steve Rogers.
Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)
Black Widow returned in Avengers: Age of Ultron, as the superteam had a second outing, this time battling the evil robot, Ultron. Black Widow showed feelings here for Bruce Banner and was the only person who could help calm Hulk when rage overwhelmed him.
By this time, Black Widow was on board with The Avengers and was no longer operating as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, transforming from a superspy working both sides to a true superhero that worked to save the world from powerful villains.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
In Captain America: Civil War, Black Widow had a choice to make and showed her true transformation from a government spy to a superhero. The Avengers split down the middle thanks to the Sokovia Accords, and while Black Widow took Iron Man’s side in the start, she flipped sides when she came to believe Captain America and Winter Soldier were on the right side of the fight.
As a result, Black Widow went on the run from the U.S. government, becoming a fugitive from justice rather than a superhero helping save the world.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
With Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, Falcon, and Captain America all on the run following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Earth was in prime condition for Thanos’s attack. With the heroes divided, they had no chance of beating the world conqueror. Despite this, Black Widow was there to fight when the time came in Avengers: Infinity War.
Black Widow was there with Captain America, Black Panther, Hulk, and other Earth-based superheroes, while Iron Man took his battle to Titan. Both sides lost, but Black Widow ended up as a survivor, which led to her greatest transition in the MCU in the follow-up movie.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
In Avengers: Endgame, Black Widow went from living her life as a spy serving others to becoming a leader. With Iron Man retired, Captain America aiding survivors, and Captain Marvel off-world, it was Black Widow who became the new Avengers’ leader. She led the heroes around the globe to keep order on the planet.
After the Avengers reformed and took the battle to Thanos, Black Widow made the ultimate sacrifice to help ensure Thanos fell, giving up her own life to save those she loved. While everyone talks about Iron Man’s death, Black Widow made it all possible.
Black Widow (2021)
In 2021, it appears Black Widow’s story has ended. While she died in Avengers: Endgame, the Black Widow movie takes place between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War when she was on the run from the U.S. government.
This put her in an interesting position. Black Widow had yet to master the leadership skills she displayed in the last two Avengers movies, still trying to find herself. This adventure with her old family battling her biggest enemies allowed Black Widow to complete her character development, transforming from the superspy from Iron Man 2 into the superhero that gave her life to save the universe.
