Marvel Studios has released the first trailer for Black Widow starring Scarlett Johansson. Directed by Cate Shortland, the film marks the first time the titular character has received her own standalone since she debuted back in Iron Man 2 (2010). Not only that, but it is also the first time that a female director is helming a feature on her own.
In it, Johansson reprises her role as Natasha Romanoff, the KGB assassin turned Avenger, who leaves her post after the events of Captain America: Civil War. But her return home isn’t a warm one as she is forced to confront her past and fight a dangerous enemy.
It will be interesting to see how a solo Black Widow film would work, especially since we know full well that Natasha made the ultimate sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame. That being said, the character’s back story has always been vague. Told through either her point of view of that of others who went on spy missions with her before she became an Avenger.
Which makes a spy genre film the perfect fit for Black Widow, but one that should have been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe at an earlier time. Even the trailer itself leaves much more to be desired when it is compared to the San Diego Comic-Con and D23 Expo cuts. Still, it is only a teaser trailer, which means there will be one with more focus on the plot and maybe even a few other surprises.
Here’s the very brief official plot synopsis:
Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow in Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller “Black Widow”—the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour as Alexei aka The Red Guardian and Rachel Weisz as Melina. Directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Kevin Feige, “Black Widow” hits U.S. theaters on May 1, 2020.
Though Black Widow is considered a prequel, it will be the opening film of Marvel Studios’ Phase 4, which means there could be something in there that will lead up to something bigger in either the theatrical releases or the Disney+ TV series. Of course, we won’t know which or even what that after credit scene is until the film is released.
Black Widow also stars William Hurt, who will be reprising his role as Thaddeus Ross
Written by Jac Schaeffer and Ned Benson, Black Widow opens May 1, 2020.
