Actress Scarlett Johansson, known for her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has garnered two Academy Award nominations throughout her illustrious career. Despite her personal accolades, she expressed bewilderment in a recent Vanity Fair interview about why "Avengers: Endgame," a film in which she played a pivotal role, only received a single Oscar nomination for visual effects.
Johansson mused, "How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar? It was an impossible movie that should not have worked, that really works as a film — and also, it's one of the most successful films of all time." Her sentiment underscores the film's monumental achievement and its critical and commercial success.
"Avengers: Endgame" is widely regarded as one of the finest entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, yet the Academy has historically been reluctant to award superhero films top honors, such as in the acting and directing categories. The only Marvel film to break this trend to date is 2018's "Black Panther." Johansson's portrayal of Natasha Romanoff, from her debut in 2010's "Iron Man" to her poignant end in "Endgame," was compelling and arguably deserving of recognition.
However, Johansson also shared with Vanity Fair that she is unlikely to return to the MCU. She stated, "It would be very hard for me to understand in what capacity [returning] would make sense for me, for the character that I play." She emphasized the completeness of her character's arc, saying, "I miss my buddies and really would love to be with them forever, but what works about the character is that her story is complete. I don’t want to mess with that. For fans, too — it’s important for them."
Every MCU Movie Tier List
Every MCU Movie Tier List
Following Natasha Romanoff's sacrifice in "Endgame," Johansson reprised her role in the 2021 prequel film "Black Widow," which she also executive produced. This film allowed fans to delve deeper into the character's backstory and provided a fitting tribute to her legacy within the MCU.
