Marvel fans don’t have to wait much longer for the newest MCU movie. Black Widow, the first Phase Four film is finally coming to theaters and Disney Plus on July 9, 2021 which will be just over 2 years since Spider-Man Far From Home hit theaters. After this long and unintended hiatus, Marvel fans are counting down the days until we can finally see Natasha Romanoff’s long awaited solo film. And while this film is a prequel, set between Civil War and Infinity War, it dives into Natasha’s backstory without it being an origin story.
Black Widow herself, Scarlett Johansson explained during an on set interview (via Screen Rant) why Black Widow was never intended as an origin story.
“Post-Civil War felt like a good time to start. We never intended on doing an origin story, I never wanted to do an origin story because I just didn’t want to go back that [far], I wanted to move forward- even though we are going back, but it’ll make sense when you see it.”
KEVIN FEIGE EXPLAINS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BLACK WIDOW OPENING CREDITS
Although this is not an origin film, that doesn’t mean Natasha’s origins aren’t a key part of the story. During the Black Widow press conference Kevin Feige talked about the importance of the opening credits scene in Black Widow and how it sets the tone for the film while also showing Natasha’s origins in an unexpected, thrilling, and emotional way. With this not being an origin film for the character this is an important part of the story and a sequence that will likely stay with audiences for a long time to come. Be aware there are minor spoilers in this answer.
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“The unique visuals, are you referring to the crying children? We needed to set the stage for what both of these women, all of these women and characters had gone through in their past and exactly what Ray Winstone, the villain of our piece, had done. And what made him so evil in his dealings.
And this idea came about, and it was later in production or even in additional photography, to showcase that moment that they were pulled apart. What happened after the plane took off and David’s character sent them back with Ray Winstone. And it was tremendous and ended up being one of our rare, sort of, opening title sequences that really helped set the tone and the backstory for Natasha’s character.”
The MCU has touched upon Natasha’s time in the Red Room notably with the flash backs in Avengers: Age of Ultron. And because this is not a full-blown origin story it makes sense that the film would not spend a huge amount of time on her experience being raised and trained in the Red Room. But, using the opening credits and setting the tone with the tragedy that not only Natasha, but all of the women who were forced through the Red Room experienced is a very creative way to include this crucial part of the story.
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The Red Room is a key part of Black Widow, both the film and the character, by setting the tone and revealing important story beats through a powerful opening credits sequence Black Widow is able to set the stage for all of the characters in the film in a truly amazing way. Fans have been begging for a Black Widow film for years to find out more about the first female Avenger. And now they will not only see what she was up to between Civil War and Infinity War they will get to learn even more about the assassin turned superhero.
BLACK WIDOW TRAILER AND SYNOPSIS
In Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller “Black Widow,” Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.
Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow, Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour portrays Alexei/The Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz is Maline. “Black Widow” – the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe – is directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Kevin Feige.
Black Widow will premiere in theaters and on Disney Plus with premier access July 9, 2021. Are you excited for the Black Widow opening credits? Are you planning to see the new movie in theaters or with Disney Plus premier access? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media and check back with The Illuminerdi for more Black Widow and MCU news.
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