“Black Widow” is a unique film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s not only the first solo film about Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff — a character that’s been around since “Iron Man 2.” But it’s also a prequel, coming at a time when the MCU has been moving forward into multiverses and time variations.
I attended a virtual press conference for “Black Widow” with a number of other reporters from around the country. At the press conference, the cast spoke about what it was like to work on a Marvel prequel.
Scarlett Johansson, who has starred in a number of MCU films, said the film was unique for her because it’s a prequel, which takes place before other MCU films. She said it was an odd experience filming “Black Widow” because she already knew the fate of her character, Natasha, who dies in “Endgame.”
“It was interesting to be working on something presently that also played into what you’ve been doing in the future of what is reflected in the past,” Johansson said. (Basically she is referring to how “Black Widow” takes place before “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” which was filmed before “Black Widow.”)
The film also takes place after “Captain America: Civil War,” which ended with the Avengers splitting up and dividing before they were brought back together for “Infinity War.” So it fits in a unique era of the MCU.
But this might not be the only MCU prequel on the way. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said the notion of exploring the past, present and future of the MCU “is in the cards” for all of our characters. That’s right, more prequels could be coming soon.
“Black Widow” opens in theaters and debuts on Disney+ through Premier Access on July 9.