It's official: Black Widow is getting her own standalone Marvel film [1]! This is exciting news, especially because a majority of the heroes in the core Avengers group — specifically Thor, Iron Man, and Captain America — have multiple stand-alone films. (Even Spider-Man is on his second big-screen outing [2]!) After the arrival of similarly more inclusive projects from the comics juggernaut, like the female-led Captain Marvel [3] and the groundbreaking Black Panther [4], the world is more than ready to see Scarlett Johansson [5] in action all by herself.
Of course, she won't be totally alone — Marvel is already narrowing down a number of actors to join her in the film. Stranger Things [6] and Hellboy star David Harbour [7] is joining Johansson, as well as Fighting With My Family actress Florence Pugh. Fresh off her Oscar-nominated role in The Favourite, Variety reports [8] that Rachel Weisz [9] is "circling a key role" as well.
Information about any of their characters is still being kept under lock and key, but Cate Shortland, director of the Nazi drama Lore, will helm the film when it kicks off production in London in June. In the meantime, check out the cast ahead!
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow
The actress will reprise her role as the ass-kicking heroine. Black Widow is reportedly taking place before the first Avengers movie, so we might get to see a bit of the superspy's origin story, as well as how she came to work with S.H.I.E.L.D. (and the return of her red hair!).
David Harbour
In addition to playing Chief Hopper on Stranger Things [11], you'll be able to catch Harbour as the fiery hero of this year's Hellboy. Who might he be playing? We'd bet a government official or handler of some sort, tasked with tracking Nat down. (Though it would be interesting to see him in a villain role, no?)
Florence Pugh
Pugh has appeared in everything from Fighting With My Family to King Lear, and received critical acclaim for her work in Lady Macbeth. Perhaps she'll play one of Nat's protégés in Black Widow? Or potentially a new foe?
Rachel Weisz
Weisz's casting still isn't confirmed, but she's in early talks that seem promising. Fingers crossed!