In a recent Zoom press conference for Black Widow, Kevin Fiege, head of Marvel Studios, discusses how the film will unravel the Russian spy’s unexplored origins and give a deep dive into her motives that moulds her into Black Widow we know.
He also dishes out a very exciting possibility – just like Black Widow, other MCU characters may get a solo prequel of their own, exploring their respective backgrounds.
The long overdue trip down Black Widow’s memory lane does question the likelihood of other MCU characters being picked for a prequel as well. Kevin Fiege does not rule out the possibility.
“This film and this story is a particular case for Natasha but the notion of exploring the past, present, and future of the MCU is certainly in the cards for all of our characters.”
Kevin Fiege
The Black Widow we know on screen is a warrior tough as nails, loyal, erudite and kind. However, there have been instances where the expert spy has been reduced to a subplot – a hypersexualised fantasy during the early days (around Iron 2), as Scarlett Johansson herself reflects.
The character has gone through quite an evolution since then and in the 2021 solo film, finds a voice to tell her own story. Picking up from Captain American: Civil War, now-fugitive Romanoff must reconnect with her past as a KGB assassin.
Without expanding on the statement, the Marvel head leaves us to our own devices to predict what the MCU future may hold. But perhaps we do have pieces of the blueprint with us – For one, Black Widow officially ushers in Marvel’s Phase 4 onto the silver screens and this may give us a hint for the phase’s central arch. Fiege calls this film “very personal and specific to Natasha.”
If we look closely, these very personal and specific character insights are also the focus seen in the TV show counterparts of Marvel’s Phase 4 – that is, WandaVision, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and Loki.
Fiege’s own interest shows that no character is too far gone into the clutches of death. And having them either in a film or TV show (as in the case of Black Widow or Loki) can be just a matter of choosing which part of their story to depict – not necessarily a sequel.
“It meant we very specifically knew there was a large period of her life we didn’t know about, not just her childhood but this period of time between Civil War and Infinity War. That period we thought was incredibly ripe to discover more about her past, more about her present, and give a hint at the legacy in the future.”
Kevin Fiege
If fans do get riled up to see a certain Captain back, as some rumors may have it, it’s on Fiege.
As Phase 4 has been chalked out till 2023, we will have to bid our time till further plans are released. For now, let’s enjoy the fierceness that is Black Widow, in theatres July 9.
Source: Comicbook
About Black Widow
Black Widow is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is intended to be the 24th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Directed by Cate Shortland and written by Eric Pearson, the movie stars Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff alongside Florence Pugh, David Harbour, O-T Fagbenle, William Hurt, Ray Winstone, and Rachel Weisz.
It will be the first film in Phase Four of the MCU, and was delayed three times from an original May 2020 release date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disney confirms Marvel Studios’ Black Widow will release on Disney+ for no extra cost to existing subscribers after its Premier Access release, October 6.
The film follows Natasha Romanoff as she 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.
No Comments on More Black Widow-esque MCU Prequels? Possibly Yes, Says Kevin Fiege