After months of COVID-19 related delays, Marvel Studios’ long-awaited “Black Widow” is finally coming for real this summer, both theatrically and as a Disney+ premiere add-on. Clearly, the delays for months were Marvel and Disney hoping to avoid anything other than a theatrical release. Still, the hybrid they have now seems like a good compromise given the vaccine’s availability.
Regardless, the Scarlett Johannson-led film, one final goodbye for the Black Widow character, is on its way. There’s been a lot made in the MCU about the red in Natasha Romanoff’s ledger, all the sins and mistakes she made as a Black Widow spy in the past. But clearly, this trailer centered on “unfinished business” is Marvel’s attempt to clear her past and give her some personal redemption. The film is, of course, set before the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” where she met her untimely demise in the ultimate sacrifice. As for the principal cast, Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow, Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour portrays Alexei/The Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz plays Melina.
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Here’s the official synopsis:
Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow, Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour portrays Alexei/The Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz as Melina. “Black Widow”—the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe—is directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Kevin Feige.
Marvel‘s action-packed spy thriller will launch simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access* in most Disney+ markets on July 9, 2021.
