I need Scarlett Johansson to return to the MCU now that Chris Evans has been cast in Avengers: Judgment Day

I would really love to see Scarlett Johansson return to the MCU in Avengers: Judgment Dayespecially now that Chris Evans has also joined the large cast of 2026's much-anticipated Russo brothers crossover. Johansson's Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, was one of the MCU's longest-running superheroes and one of my favorites before her death in 2019. Avengers: Endgame. While the 2021 retrospective Black Widow gave her one last ride in the MCU, I felt like the film failed to do Natasha Romanoff justice.

I've always considered Black Widow to be one of the MCU's most reviled and wasted heroes, and I've always wanted Scarlett Johansson to get more attention. The death of Natasha Romanoff and the failures of Black Widow left me wanting so much more and, thankfully, I think there's now a clear way for Marvel Studios to finally give Johansson the focus she deserves.. Marvel confirmed that the Russo brothers and Robert Downey Jr. will return in 2026 Avengers: Judgment Day in July 2024, and now they're joined by another exciting MCU veteran.

Chris Evans is returning to the MCU in Avengers: Judgment Day

Chris Evans played Captain America between 2011 and 2019

It was reported in December 2024 that, after a five-year break from the MCU and a recent appearance in Deadpool and WolverineChris Evans will return to the MCU in Avengers: Judgment Day. Evans played Steve Rogers' Captain America in ten MCU films between 2011 and 2019and we've also seen him make appearances in Thor: The Dark World and Deadpool and Wolverinebecoming the most consistent actor in the MCU. I thought Steve Rogers Avengers: Endgame the ending was perfect, but I'm still very excited about his return to the MCU.

Of course, it's possible that Chris Evans will bring Steve Rogers' Captain America back to the MCU, but the true nature of his role in the Avengers: Judgment Day was not revealed. I loved seeing theories suggesting that Evans could be playing a HYDRA-indoctrinated Captain America, or perhaps even taking on an entirely new role, similar to Robert Downey Jr., who will debut as Doctor Doom instead of Iron Man. Whoever Chris Evans plays Avengers: Judgment Dayhis return just makes me want to see Scarlett Johansson back in the MCU even more.

Avengers: Doomsday Will Likely Include All Original Avengers Cast Members (Except One)

Scarlett Johansson is the latest original Avenger to be cast in Avengers: Judgment Day

Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige confirmed that Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU at 2024's SDCCset to bring Doctor Doom to life in Avengers: Judgment Daywhich will ensure that Tony Stark's emotional sacrifice since End of the game remains untouched. Now, Chris Evans will reunite with Downey Jr. Judgment Dayalthough we're still not sure which character Evans will play in the upcoming crossover event. While none of them have yet been confirmed, I think it's likely that the other members of the original Avengers team will join them.

I have no doubt that Chris Hemsworth's Thor, Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner, and Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton, even after his recent recovery, will have a role in the Avengers: Judgment Day. Alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, that means all the male components of the original MCU Avengers team from the 2012 film of the same name. The Avengers will be meeting. This just makes me want to see Scarlett Johansson return to the MCU even morebecause it would be a shame for her to miss out on this epic reunion.

I want Scarlett Johansson to reunite with the Avengers cast in Judgment Day

Scarlett Johansson may have reservations about returning to the MCU

Natasha Romanoff has been repeatedly insulted by Marvel Studios during her MCU career, regularly being sidelined and overlooked when she deserved much more attention. I would consider it the final nail in the coffin if Scarlett Johansson didn't return now to reunite with all the other members of the original Avengers team in Avengers: Judgment Daybecause it looks like the whole gang is getting together again. As much as I want this to happen, however, Johansson herself may have reservations about returning after her lawsuit against Disney.

While any legal disputes might suggest that Scarlett Johansson would prefer to avoid returning to the MCU, recent events seem to imply that the past is now in the past. Johansson is credited as executive producer on the upcoming 2025 film Rays* film, which includes several cast members from Black Widowand Johansson is expected to still work on another MCU project as a producer. This suggests that her relationship with Marvel Studios is still strong, which makes me think it would be easy for her to return to the screen.

Who could Scarlet Johansson play in Avengers: Judgment Day?

Scarlett Johansson wouldn't need to return as Black Widow

If she returns, it would make sense for Scarlett Johansson to reprise her iconic Black Widow role of Natasha Romanoff in the MCU. However, since Robert Downey Jr. has been recast and Chris Evans may be playing a different role, I think it would be great to see Scarlett Johansson dressing up as a completely new Marvel character.. There has been speculation that the original Avengers cast will play villains in Avengers: Judgment Daywith Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and Evans as HYDRA's Captain America, which opens the door for Johansson to play a twisted version of her MCU hero.

This makes me think that she could simply play a more comedic version of Black Widow, since she is much more morally ambiguous and has a villainous history in Marvel Comics. There was also talk about Johansson's possible connection to the Blonde Phantom, who I would love to see in the MCUalthough she would also be great as someone connected to Doctor Doom, perhaps Cynthia Von Doom or even Valeria Richards. Avengers: Judgment Day is shaping up to be one of Marvel Studios' biggest and most exciting projects, and I'm desperate for Scarlett Johansson to be involved.

• Release date

  February 14, 2025
  

• Rays*

• Release date

  July 25, 2025
  

• Release date

  July 24, 2026