Scarlett Johansson gives the final verdict on if Black Widow is alive or dead in the MCU

Out of all the deaths in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Widow aka Natasha Romanoff's death is one that hits really hard. As she sacrificed herself for Clint Barton to obtain the Soul Stone, she was the only Avenger apart from Vision who was not a part of Thanos' battle with all the heroes.

However, Marvel did give fans more time to spend with Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow as they released a film exploring the assassin's origins to her identity where her sister Yelena Belova is also introduced. After the 2021 film titled Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson has not returned for her role on screen. Although many fans have been hopeful of her return, the actress is setting the record straight as she revealed no plans of returning as the iconic character.

Speaking to InStyle on March 11, 2025, Johannson has squashed any hope that fans had for the character's revival as she said:

“Natasha is dead. She is dead. She's dead. Okay? They just don't want to believe it. They’re like, ‘But she could come back!’ Look, I think the balance of the entire universe is held in her hand. We’re going to have to let it go. She saved the world. Let her have her hero moment.”

The decision does make sense though, seeing as we have a brand new Black Widow in the MCU who is just as amazing, if not more, as Natasha Romanoff. Here's who the MCU's current Black Widow is.

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Who is the new Black Widow in the MCU?

Natasha Romanoff's adopted sister Yelena Belova is taking Natasha's place as she is all set to become the MCU's latest stable character. Her role was teased in 2021 as fans met her for the first time in Black Widow, and needless to say she became an immediate favorite.

Belova is next all set to be a part of Marvel's Thunderbolts* where she is one of the team's anti-heroes teaming up for secret missions. Speaking of her role, Florence Pugh told PEOPLE:

“I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel. I feel like it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

The film was initially teased in 2021, and production started in 2022. According to the actress, one of the main reasons why the film took so long was because, as she said:

"There would be no point in doing this story unless we did it properly."

She added:

"There'd be no point in letting these characters come together and having their character arcs unless we actually spoke the truth about how they'd be feeling — and to come and make this movie in the way that we made it.”

Thunderbolts* is hitting theaters this year on May 2, 2025.