Scarlett Johansson Slams Oscars for Ignoring Avengers: Endgame: 'An Impossible Film'

Actress Scarlett Johansson, with two Academy Award nominations to her name, remains puzzled about why "Avengers: Endgame," in which she portrayed Black Widow, secured only a single nomination for visual effects at the Oscars. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Johansson expressed her bewilderment, stating, "How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar? It was an impossible movie that should not have worked, that really works as a film — and also, it’s one of the most successful films of all time."

"Avengers: Endgame" is widely regarded as one of the standout entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in recent years. However, the Academy has traditionally been reluctant to award top honors, such as those in the acting and directing categories, to films within the superhero or broader genre spectrum. The only Marvel film to receive such recognition to date is "Black Panther" from 2018. Despite this, Johansson's performance as Natasha Romanoff, from her debut in "Iron Man 2" in 2010 to her poignant death scene in "Endgame," was certainly noteworthy and arguably deserving of accolades.

Nevertheless, Johansson shared with Vanity Fair her doubts about returning to the MCU. She remarked, "It would be very hard for me to understand in what capacity [returning] would make sense for me, for the character that I play." Johansson emphasized the importance of her character's completed narrative, saying, "I miss my buddies and really would love to be with them forever, but what works about the character is that her story is complete. I don’t want to mess with that. For fans, too — it’s important for them."

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Following Black Widow's demise in "Endgame," Johansson reprised her role as Natasha Romanoff in the 2021 prequel film "Black Widow," which she also executive produced, offering fans one final adventure with the beloved character.