Actress Scarlett Johansson, despite her two Academy Award nominations, remains perplexed about why Avengers: Endgame—where she portrayed Black Widow—received only a single VFX nomination despite its monumental success.
Award-Worthy Yet Overlooked
"How did this film not earn more Oscar recognition?" Johansson questioned in her recent Vanity Fair interview about the 2019 MCU phenomenon. "It was an ambitious, high-stakes project that defied expectations—not just as a blockbuster but as a cohesive cinematic experience. And let's not forget, it’s among the highest-grossing films ever."
The Academy's Superhero Bias
While widely regarded as one of Marvel’s strongest entries, Endgame followed the Academy’s pattern of overlooking superhero films for major categories like acting and directing. To date, only 2018’s Black Panther has broken through with a Best Picture nod. Still, Johansson’s nuanced portrayal of Natasha Romanoff—from her 2010 debut in Iron Man 2 to her emotional Endgame sacrifice—arguably deserved recognition.
A Permanent Farewell to the Role
Johansson confirmed to Vanity Fair she’s unlikely to reprise the character: "I struggle to see how returning would serve the integrity of Natasha's arc—for me as an actor or for the audience. What made her journey powerful was its completeness. I wouldn't want to compromise that."
Her Final MCU Chapter
Following Black Widow’s Endgame death, Johansson returned for 2021’s prequel Black Widow, which she also executive produced—a fitting sendoff for the beloved character.
