The recent announcement that a Black Widow film is reportedly in the works was surprising to say the least. But to many, many Marvel fans, it felt like news that was long overdue. After all, the original Avengers lineup (save for Hawkeye) have all had solo films, and most subsequent superheroes introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, like Doctor Strange, Spider-Man and Black Panther, likewise have all experienced the solo movie treatment. Despite being over twenty movies deep, Marvel Studios hasn't had a female superhero-led movie yet, and many have always wondered why Natasha Romanoff was being left in the cold.
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Now that we know the movie is inching closer to reality, fans have already begun speculating where Natasha's movie could fit into the MCU's continuity. Will it be a flashback story? Does this mean that she unequivocally survives Avengers 4? While these questions are valid, we have another one we'd like to explore. Could it be that this solo Black Widow film is only part of the truth? A diversion meant to keep the real surprise under wraps until Marvel makes an official announcement? Is it possible that this is the long-rumored, much hoped for all-female Avengers film?
The call for an all-female Avengers-style movie was first heard back in October 2017, when Thor: Ragnarok actress Tessa Thompson mentioned it as an idea she had floated to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. A few weeks later, the idea gained more traction and popularity when reports began to surface that most of the female MCU actresses joined Thompson in lobbying for an all-female superhero film. Scarlet Johansson, Brie Larson, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan and Pom Klementieff, it turns out, all approached Feige to discuss the possibility.
Not only are the actresses interested in the project, there's clearly a fan-demand for it. Obviously, Feige is aware of this, and no doubt sees the potential in such a film. Now, could he have tasked screenwriter Jac Shaeffer to come up with a story worthy of all these female characters? It's certainly possible.
After all, according to the initial report, actress Scarlet Johansson is said to have met with Marvel to discuss the direction of the Black Widow film. Since the actress was firmly on-board with the idea of an all-female team-up movie, there's a strong possibility that she brought this idea back on the table during her meeting with Marvel.
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This film could still be Natasha-centric, with the former spy and assassin taking it upon herself to put a new sort of team together. The character is not only the first female Avenger, she's also arguably one of the most important. Here is a character that means a great deal to fans new and old, and many agree that she deserves her time in the spotlight. Giving her the lead role in a different kind of team-up film would likely be a wonderful vehicle for the character. It would give Marvel a chance to showcase the character's growth, and it would allow her to become who she was always supposed to be: a leader.
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Now, let's take into consideration the timing of this report. The entire world is bracing itself for the arrival of the ultimate team-up movie in Avengers: Infinity War, the first part of a two-movie epic that will serve as a closing chapter to the first 10 years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Most of the MCU actors are well beyond that stage, wrapping up the shoot of the untitled Avengers 4. Already, the rumor mill has begun to churn as to what we can expect for Marvel's inevitable Phase 4 of movies beyond the already confirmed Spider-Man sequel.
The truth of the matter is, the MCU will likely head into Phase 4 with a bit of a clean slate. With the big final battle involving the Avengers and Thanos, there's no telling what the shape of the superhero team will be like. For all we know, they could end up dead, disbanded or scattered. This could create a superhero vacuum, one that Natasha could seek to fill with her own team.
Marvel is very big on team-up movies. Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Civil War were both essentially Avengers films. Thor: Ragnarok featured the Thunder God putting a "team" together with Hulk, Valkyrie and Loki. Even Spider-Man: Homecoming featured Iron Man in a major role. Therefore, the likelihood of this just revealed Black Widow film being a solo adventure seems slim. Marvel has found the strength in the shared universe aspect of their movies, and Black Widow would likely be no different. While it would be easy to bring someone like Hawkeye to the proceedings, it would be much more exciting, not to mention wholly unprecedented, for Marvel to bring multiple female superheroes together.
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In today's socio-political climate, the timing has never been more right for female-led superhero films. DC already managed to prove that with the critically-acclaimed Wonder Woman. Next, Marvel will showcase its most powerful female superhero yet in Brie Larson's Captain Marvel. It's long overdue for the MCU's foremost female Avenger to get her own starring film -- but why stop there? Why not position the Black Widow for the role she has slowly been groomed for -- a role that Natasha would never want in the first place, but one that she would have no choice to fill.
As the new leader of the MCU, Natasha could replace Captain America going forward. Starring in her own film, flanked by a team consisting of characters like Captain Marvel, the Wasp, Valkyrie and Gamora, would not only be groundbreaking, it would potentially be box office gold.