2020 was an unlucky year for the entertainment industry as everything went to a halt as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now after a long wait, MCU is finally backed on track with a standalone movie. It is Black Widow. The film is scheduled to release in theaters on July 9 along with Disney+ Premier Access. Scarlett Johansson will reprise her role as Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow. The character has already appeared in other MCU films. But this one will recall the moments that occurred in the life of MCU. Here are 10 things to remember before Black Widow arrives.
Things To Remember Before Black Widow Releases
1. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is one of the characters introduced in MCU’s Phase Four. She made a cameo appearance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Now we don’t know much about the character or the organization she works for. But a lot of news outlets have reported that the character was supposed to make its debut in Black Widow. There were a few changes caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, but she could appear in the upcoming Black Widow movie and could have a significant role in the MCU.
2. Natasha’s Sacrifice
We all have already seen the fate of Black Widow. The upcoming film will take after the events of Captain America: Civil War. Now we all remember that Thanos wiped out half of the universe with the Infinity Stones. Black Widow survived the Snap but was feeling emotional guilt and heartbreak after losing her team members. Now the surviving Avengers try to bring back those who died during the Snap. Natasha travels with Hawkeye to Vormir to retrieve the Soul Stone. This needed an emotional sacrifice. Natasha fell to her death to get the stone. Overall, the character is now dead in the MCU.
3. Clint and Nat
Natasha may not be a trustworthy person. But she is close friends with Clint Barton. She has always shown gratitude and respect to Barton. As seen in The Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D. ordered Clint to kill the Russian assassin. But he spared her life and recruited her. They have then taken care of each other and kept each other’s secrets. Clint also named his youngest son Nathaniel after Natasha. Considering their friendship, people are curious to know if Clint Barton would make a surprise appearance in the film and also address the events in Budapest.
4. Nat’s history as a Spy
Natasha Romanoff has been one of the most talented and skilled secret agents. She can speak many languages and knows everything about hand-to-hand combat. She is an expert in technological weaponry and can manipulate and read people. Since Natasha was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Tony Stark, and Steve Rogers found her to be untrustworthy. But she completes the tasks given by Nick Fury. She was one of those loyal and dedicated agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. who was not recruited by HYDRA. But she is no more a S.H.I.E.L.D agent following the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
5. Natasha leaked classified information to stop HYDRA
Natasha played an important role in defeating HYDRA. She disguised herself as a council member and leaked classified files that included her previous covert operations. The classified information can imply some dark and illegal activities. It is also implied that Natasha has a dark history as a spy and assassin but this is not revealed to the audience. But it looks like that her past will come to haunt her with the presence of Taskmaster in Black Widow and will explore her backstory before The Avengers.
6. She is a fugitive in this film
The Avengers were fighting among themselves following the introduction of the Sokovia Accords. Captain America did not agree to sign the Accords since they would brand them as criminals. Tony Stark agreed to sign it since he was responsible for the creation of Ultron and the destruction of Sokovia. After Steve Rogers escaped with Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes to prove Bucky’s innocence, Tony Stark tried to stop them. But they were helped by Natasha in escaping. She eventually became a fugitive. This will play an important part in Black Widow’s plot.
7. Natasha’s Red Room History in Age of Ultron
A brief glimpse of Natasha’s backstory was seen in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Following the hypnotism by Wanda Maximoff, Natasha had a vision where she was training at the Red Room and the moments that led to her graduation. The Black Widow program established her as an assassin and Natasha then adopted her Black Widow persona after her training. Wanda manipulated parts of her vision but it might not foretell the whole true story. This moment is the only hint about her life before joining S.H.I.E.L.D.
8. The Avengers are her family
Being a spy, Natasha Romanoff is very stoic. But after joining the Avengers, she softened up, became close with her teammates, and found a new home where she was accepted. She also revealed in Avengers: Endgame that the Avengers were her family. This motivated her to bring all those who were lost in the Snap. Natasha also confirmed that she has no contact with her biological parents and did not know her names till Red Skull said her father’s name was Ivan.
9. Bruce & Nat
Natasha is a spy but she also deserves a normal life. In Avengers: Age of Ultron, it was a surprise for MCU fans where romantic sparks were seen between Natasha Romanoff and Bruce Banner. But this ended after Ultron was defeated in Sokovia. The appearance of Bruce Banner is unlikely in Black Widow. He was seen in Thor: Ragnarok and that was moments before Avengers: Infinity War. But nothing can be said for now since the film has not been released and there can be a mere mention or something surprising from the side of Bruce Banner.
10. Black Widow was one of the OG Avengers
Being a part of the Avengers was the one thing that allowed her to redeem herself from past mistakes. Natasha at first joined the Avengers to defeat Loki and his Chitauri army when they tried to invade Earth. She was one of the original six members of the team and the only woman. This is significant since female superheroes are given less importance in the genre. Natasha dies not have enhanced powers like her colleagues. Her powers are natural. Now because of Natasha Romanoff, the number of female superheroes has increased in the MCU.
Now that you’re all caught up, are you’re ready to watch Black Widow next week? Let us know in the comments.
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