Actress Scarlett Johansson, boasting two Academy Award nominations, remains puzzled as to why Avengers: Endgame, where she portrayed Black Widow, only received a single nomination for visual effects at the Oscars. In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Johansson expressed her bewilderment, stating, "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."
Avengers: Endgame is widely regarded as a pinnacle within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), yet the Academy has historically been reluctant to bestow major honors, such as acting and directing awards, on superhero films. The only exception to this trend within the MCU has been Black Panther in 2018. Despite this, Johansson's portrayal of Natasha Romanoff from her debut in Iron Man 2 in 2010 to her poignant death in Endgame was undeniably impactful and worthy of recognition.
During the same interview with Vanity Fair, Johansson hinted at her departure from the MCU, stating, "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 importance of her character's complete narrative arc, expressing a desire not to tamper with it. "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."
Following Black Widow's demise in Endgame, Johansson reprised her role one final time in the 2021 prequel film Black Widow, which she also executive produced, providing fans with a deeper look into Natasha Romanoff's backstory.
