In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige responded to the circulating rumors about Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for another Avengers movie.
Feige seemed surprised by the rumors, stating that he had not heard of them and that there had been no discussions on the matter. He acknowledged the ongoing project with Johansson, which she is producing, but made no commitments regarding her or Downey Jr.’s return to their iconic roles as Black Widow and Iron Man, respectively.
Both characters met their ends in “Avengers: Endgame,” but the comic book world is known for its flexible approach to character fates, often utilizing concepts like the multiverse and alternate timelines to bring characters back. Despite this, Feige’s comments suggest that Marvel has not yet decided to move forward with the idea of their return.
Kevin Feige isn't saying no to the possibility of Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson making a return to the Marvel universe. pic.twitter.com/ceUukuxPuv
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) November 8, 2023
The financial aspect could also play a significant role in such a decision. Downey Jr. commands a fee upwards of $20 million for his appearances as Iron Man, and Johansson’s financial dealings with Disney/Marvel, particularly concerning the “Black Widow” movie, have been high-profile.
Johansson herself, as of April this year, had expressed that she was “done” with Marvel, noting the gender imbalance in the original Avengers film.
The next MCU film on the horizon is “The Marvels,” which is expected to have a modest start at the box office, comparable to DC’s “The Flash.”
