Actress Scarlett Johansson, with two Academy Award nominations to her name, expressed her bewilderment over the lack of Oscar recognition for the 2019 blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, in which she portrayed Black Widow. "How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar?" she questioned during a recent interview with Vanity Fair. Johansson highlighted the film's unique success, stating, "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."
Despite its acclaim, Avengers: Endgame received only a single Oscar nod for visual effects, a pattern consistent with the Academy's historical reluctance to award superhero films in major categories like acting and directing. The only Marvel film to break this trend significantly is 2018's Black Panther. Johansson's portrayal of Natasha Romanoff, from her debut in 2010's Iron Man to her poignant demise in Endgame, was widely regarded as deserving of recognition.
In the same interview, Johansson hinted at a closure to her time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "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 shared, emphasizing her belief that Natasha Romanoff's story had reached a satisfying conclusion. "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 Black Widow's death in Endgame, Johansson reprised her role as Romanoff in the 2021 prequel film Black Widow, which she also executive produced, giving fans one final glimpse into the life of the beloved character.
