Adding fuel to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s post-Endgame identity issues, both Scarlett Johansson and Gwenyth Paltrow have personally confirmed that, at least for now, they are officially done with their respective roles of Black Widow and Pepper Potts.
Pepper Potts (Gwenyth Paltrow) dons the Rescue armor in Avengers: Endgame (2019), Marvel Entertainmetn
The two actresses confirmed their exit from arguably the only successful cinematic universe during Johansson’s April 18th appearance on Paltrow’s The Goop Podcast [Time Stamp: 18:00].
Reflecting on their time saving the world alongside such stars as Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau, Paltrow inquired of her guest, “Was it fun to be such a badass super hero? Did you like that?”, to which Johansson declared, “Yeah, it was awesome.”
“It was like, the best time ever,” said the actress. “Doing Avengers was so much fun; I was like, 26-years-old, I was single, it was fun! I didn’t have any responsibility to anybody but just to enjoy myself.”
Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) prepares to disable the Chitarui’s portal generator in The Avengers (2012), Marvel Entertainment via Blu-ray
“When we did Black Widow, I worked with Florence Pugh and she at the time was like, 22 or 23, and I felt so excited for her,” she further recalled. “I know what that feels like, to have this big thing that’s coming out and everything is buzzing around you, and you’re also young and energetic and beautiful and talented. She’s in the middle of it now. I felt like that then. I felt like there was all this exciting stuff happening and I got to work with all these great actors and a lot of New York guys from sort of the same group, and it was just really really fun.”
“And then every couple of years we would go back and do it again [film another Avengers movie] and all be in different places in our lives,” she added. “Somebody would have a kid or was getting married or was getting divorced or re-married, or whatever, it was just like…I dunno, an adult summer camp type of thing. It was cool. Some of the best experiences.”
Yelena (Florence Pugh) and Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Following a brief aside in which the two playfully attempted to recall Kevin Feige’s exact title at Marvel, Paltrow then asked Johannson “And are you done with those?”, prompting the latter to confirm, “I’m done. I’m hanging up my suit. Chapter is over.”
“I really felt like I kind of did all that I had to do,” she argued. “Also, coming back and playing a character again and again like that, over a decade of time, is a unique experience.”
Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) says good-bye to Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) in Avengers: Endgame (2019), Marvel Entertainment via Blu-ray
In turn, Johansson flipped the question to her host, pressing Paltrow, “Does that mean you’re also done with Marvel?”
“I think so?” the host shakily replied. “I mean I didn’t die, so I guess they can always ask me…”
An Extremis-powered Pepper Potts (Gwenyth Paltrow) saves the day in Iron Man 3 (2013), Marvel Entertainment
Met with the joking suggestion from Johansson that “I think you may come back at some point,” Paltrow balked at the thought.
“Really?” said the actress, absolutely baffled by the proposition. “As 64-year old pepper Potts? How great.”
“100% that’s happening,” laughed Johansson. “I can see it. They’re never going to let you go. Break out that wig, baby.”
Pepper Potts (Gwenyth Paltrow) prepares to lead the female Avengers into battle in Avengers: Endgame (2019), Marvel Entertainmetn
Marvel’s next release, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, is currently set to spin into theaters on May 5th.
