Scarlett Johansson, who plays Black Widow in Iron Man 2, talks about the most difficult obstacle she faced while filming the sequel. Johansson first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Black Widow in Iron Man 2, which followed Tony Stark as he battled both his deteriorating health and a vengeful madman.
However, Johansson has starred in nine MCU films since her debut appearance in Iron Man 2, including the world-record-breaking flicks The Avengers and Avengers: Endgame, as well as her own standalone film, Black Widow. Both Johansson and Black Widow have gone through a lot in the larger MCU tale, including an implied romance with the Hulk and numerous hard combat scenes. Johansson said in a recent interview with Vanity Fair that her toughest hurdle making Iron Man 2 was having to prepare for major stunt work for the first time.
Scarlett was just in her early twenties when she was cast as Black Widow, and she claims she had “never stepped foot in a gym” before being cast. “That was a tremendous event for me since I was, I don’t know, 23 or 24 when I was cast in Iron Man 2,” she told Screenrant. I’d never been to a gym before, and I only had five weeks to prepare for these massive stunt scenes. It was before we worked out how to be most efficient in the process of shooting stunt work—what could be handed off to other stunt specialists and what the actor would actually need to perform when we were doing it over a decade ago.
This comes as no surprise considering the antics Johansson has had to do throughout her stint in the MCU. It would be difficult for her to maintain her mental health if she was not physically prepared for the action demanded of Black Widow. The effort has clearly paid off, as Johansson has elevated the ex-assassin from a supporting character in Iron Man 2 to a fan favourite in one of the world’s most successful series.
Scarlett Johansson is not done yet
The 35th American Cinematheque Awards, which took place on November 18th at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, were a usual love-fest for Scarlett Johansson, the show’s principal recipient. Attendees at an event devoted to both the business and artistic sides of the film industry heard accolades for Johansson’s diverse career, which ranged from Lost in Translation to Jojo Rabbit.
However, as The Hollywood Reporter’s story reveals, one of Johansson’s associations was front and center at the event: Marvel. On the one hand, it makes sense, given Johansson’s ten-year run in the MCU. However, anyone who remembers her fighting Disney earlier this year over the digital release of Black Widow will be surprised.
It appears that there is water beneath the bridge. In September, a resolution was reached. Johansson seemed to be excited to return to the Mouse House. As a producer, Johansson is already working on Disney’s Tower of Terror, directed by Taika Waititi. She also said that she is working on new projects, one of which is Marvel-related. Natasha Romanoff’s time in the spotlight may be finished, but Johansson’s participation at the Cinematheque Awards confirms that she isn’t done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
