Actress Scarlett Johansson, known for her two Academy Award nominations, expressed her bewilderment over the lack of Oscar recognition for Avengers: Endgame, in which she portrayed Black Widow. In a recent conversation with Vanity Fair, Johansson remarked, "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."
Despite its commercial success and critical acclaim, Avengers: Endgame only received a nomination for visual effects at the Oscars. The film, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is often hailed as one of the best in the franchise. However, the Academy has historically been reluctant to nominate superhero films in major categories like acting and directing. The only MCU film to break this trend so far is Black Panther from 2018. Johansson's performance as Natasha Romanoff, from her debut in Iron Man 2 in 2010 to her poignant death in Endgame, was widely praised and considered by many to be worthy of recognition.
Johansson also shared with Vanity Fair her doubts about returning to the MCU. "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 stated. 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."
Following the events of Endgame, Johansson did reprise her role as Natasha Romanoff 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 served as a fitting tribute to her journey within the MCU.
