Black Widow 2

Black Widow 2 – What’s Next for Natasha’s Legacy in the MCU?

Since the release of Black Widow in 2021, fans have speculated about a sequel. The first film, which served as a prequel to Natasha Romanoff’s final appearance in Avengers: Endgame, explored her past and family ties, while introducing a new generation of characters, most notably her sister figure, Yelena Belova. However, the path to Black Widow 2 is not as straightforward as traditional sequels.

Scarlett Johansson, who portrayed Natasha for over a decade, has publicly confirmed that her time in the role is over. After her character’s sacrifice in Endgame, Marvel used Black Widow to close the book on Natasha’s journey while planting seeds for the future. Johansson has expressed interest in working with Marvel again, but behind the camera—possibly as a producer or director—not as a performer.

Given Natasha’s story arc is complete, Marvel Studios is shifting the focus of the “Black Widow legacy” to new characters. Leading that evolution is Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh. Introduced in Black Widow, Yelena quickly became a fan favorite thanks to her charisma, emotional depth, and fierce combat skills. Her appearance in the Hawkeye series further solidified her role in the MCU’s future.

Rather than develop a direct Black Widow 2, Marvel appears to be expanding the story through ensemble projects. One of the most notable is Thunderbolts, slated for release in 2025. This film brings together several morally complex characters from previous MCU stories—including Yelena, Red Guardian, and Taskmaster, all introduced in Black Widow. In that sense, Thunderbolts is seen as a spiritual sequel, continuing the threads left by Natasha’s story through the people she left behind.

Despite this, Thunderbolts is not officially a Black Widow sequel. It’s an ensemble action film centered on a team of antiheroes and operatives who work in the grey areas of heroism. However, the inclusion of Yelena in a leading role—and the return of other characters from Black Widow—makes it clear that the themes of family, duty, and legacy will remain central.

As for a true Black Widow 2 starring Yelena as the titular character, Marvel has not made any announcements. However, Florence Pugh’s rising star power and her character’s popularity suggest the possibility remains open, especially if audiences respond well to Thunderbolts. Marvel may use that film as a launchpad for future solo outings.

In conclusion, while a direct sequel to Black Widow with Scarlett Johansson is not happening, the essence of the franchise lives on. The torch has been passed to Yelena Belova, and her journey through the MCU is just beginning. Whether in ensemble films or a future standalone adventure, the legacy of Black Widow is far from over—it’s simply evolving.