Phase 4 of the MCU will be kicking off later this year with the much-anticipated release of Black Widow. Though Scarlett Johansson’s original Avengers member was lost in Avengers: Endgame, this will be her long-awaited solo debut.
As with most MCU films, details are being kept secret regarding the plot of Black Widow. What we know is that she will be returning to Russia and reteaming with former allies for a mission. Of course, there are several rumors floating around, some of which make us excited and some that have us worried. Here are some Black Widow rumors we hope are true and some we hope are not.
Hope Is True: The Budapest Mission Revealed
The Budapest mission was first brought up in The Avengers and has become something of a running joke between Black Widow and Hawkeye. However, it’s clear that the mission holds some significance for both of them.
Some have speculated that the mystery mission will finally be revealed in this film and may even link into the overall plot. Since the events of this film apparently take place after Captain America: Civil War, it’s unlikely we’ll get to see the actual mission take place, but it would be a fun nod to fans to learn more about this chapter.
Hope Is Not: Red Hulk
Rumors of Thunderbolt Ross returning for this film have been confirmed by the first trailer. The character, played by William Hurt, was introduced back in The Incredible Hulk and has since been a semi-regular recurring character in the MCU.
Fans have also been waiting for another aspect of Ross’ character to appear since, in the comics, he becomes Red Hulk. Some rumors suggest that it will finally happen in this film. However, such a move would feel a bit distracting in Natasha’s first solo adventure so hopefully they’re still sitting on that.
Hope Is True: Hawkeye Appearance
The key relationship Natasha has had throughout the MCU was Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye. The two are introduced as close friends who have been through a lot together. In fact, Natasha’s death is an act of sacrifice between them.
If any fellow Avenger was going to show up in this film, it would make sense that it would be Hawkeye. While some rumors suggest that he does indeed make a small cameo appearance, it could be a great nod to this friendship.
Hope Is Not: Tony Stark Appearance
Of course, with the MCU, there’s always the possibility that just about any character could pop up at any moment — even ones that are dead. Many rumors have stated that Tony Stark will make a return to the MCU in a brief cameo.
Given the rumored timeline of the film, it would make perfect sense for Stark to be around. However, we still hope it’s not true. Tony got a beautiful and emotional send-off in Endgame. To have him show up so soon after in this film would not only lessen the impact of his death, but it would also take away from Natasha’s moment.
Hope Is True: Taskmaster Is An Ally Turned Enemy
One of the biggest secrets about Black Widow is the villain. It has been confirmed that the villain is Taskmaster, a character in the comics who has the amazing ability to replicate the fighting style of any of his opponents. While we’ve seen glimpses of the character, we still don’t know who is under the mask.
Given the fact that Natasha will be teaming with her old “family,” some have speculated that the person behind the mask is one of her allies. Many suspect that it is either Yelena (Florence Pugh) or Melina (Rachel Weisz). If it turns out to be true, this could add a satisfying emotional punch to the movie.
Hope Is Not: Super Soldier Natasha
Natasha has shown that she can stand side-by-side with her fellow Avengers and hold her own just based on her incredible fighting skills. Part of what makes her a unique member of the group is that she is just a person who was trained to be the ultimate assassin.
If some rumors about the film are true, that unique aspect of Natasha’s character could be ruined. There has been talk that the film will reveal that Natasha is, in fact, a super-soldier having been given the serum without her knowledge. Not only would this feel like a lazy twist, but it would also feel like a betrayal of the character.
Hope Is True: Natasha’s Tragedy
Natasha has always been a tragic figure in the MCU. From what she had to undergo throughout her years of training to her heartbreak over the Avengers’ defeat at the hands of Thanos, she has suffered a lot. Many think that even in her own film, Natasha will not be getting a happy ending.
She makes mention of the fact that the Avengers are the only true family she has ever had. Given that she seems to have a close-knit group in this film, some think that hints at a tragic ending. Whether it is betrayal from her team or losing them, this could be a tragic story that would be interesting for the MCU to tackle.
Hope Is Not: A New Black Widow
After her breakout year in 2019 with amazing performances in Midsommar and Little Women, plenty of people are very excited to see Florence Pugh joining the MCU as Yelena in Black Widow. Many fans are also hoping Yelena will follow her comic book path as well and become the new Black Widow.
With Natasha dead, many think that this film will be setting up Yelena to take over the Black Widow mantel and join the Avengers. As great as it would be to see Pugh take the spotlight, replacing Natasha so quickly would feel like a cheap move.
Hope Is True: The Start Of A New Franchise
Fans had been waiting for years for Natasha to get the solo film she deserves. It might seem a bit cruel that we finally get one just after she has been killed off. However, some suggest that this will just be the beginning of a new chapter for Natasha in the MCU.
Even though she is dead in the main timeline, there is a rumor that this will kickstart a Black Widow franchise which will be told through prequel stories. While nothing has been confirmed by Marvel, if the film performs well, you can absolutely expect more Black Widow adventures to come.
Hope Is Not: Back From The Dead
Some fans were disappointed by the fact that Tony Stark was given a hero’s farewell in Endgame while Natasha’s death wasn’t given as much attention. This solo film could serve as a way to make up for that fact, but there’s also the fear that they will take it too far.
Some rumors indicate that the film might undo Natasha’s death somehow. Perhaps something revealed in this previous adventure will lead to her resurrection. Marvel has always struggled with setting high stakes for their films and to undo this death, as problematic as it might be, would be a major mistake.
