There's a lot of intrigue surrounding the next Avengers movies, particularly as the first - which is rumoured to be directed by Deadpool & Wolverine helmer Shawn Levy - is no longer titled The Kang Dynasty.
Some have claimed Avengers: Secret Wars will become a two-parter, though it remains unclear whether that's in addition to the movie now dubbed Avengers 5. Clarification could be heading our way at Comic-Con or D23 over the next couple of months, but in the meantime, we have an update from scooper @MyTimeToShineH.
Apparently, Scarlet Johansson has agreed to return as the MCU's Black Widow...just not in Avengers 5. Instead, we'll see her alongside Chris Evans' Captain America in Avengers: Secret Wars.
In related news, the scooper has also reiterated previous claims that Hugh Jackman has told Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige that he'd be willing to suit up as Wolverine in Avengers: Secret Wars, providing Robert Downey Jr. and Tobey Maguire join him as Iron Man and Spider-Man.
We'd be shocked if that doesn't happen and it seems likely Secret Wars will be the movie where we bid a final farewell to many characters. Below, you'll find some fan art which offers an idea of what it will look like if and when Wolverine and Spidey share the screen.
"I am sad, of course," Johansson previously said of her time as Black Widow ending. "I absolutely loved every filming experience I had, working 10 years with Marvel and with that amazing cast, and I love the character Natasha."
"I have a lot of empathy for her, and it was amazing to build that character over such a long period of time. I also feel really good about her story coming to a close. I think she has a lot of dignity in her legacy."
Asked whether the Multiverse could open the door to a surprise return as Natasha Romanoff, the actress replied, "Like a loophole? I feel like that’s kind of the end, right? Like can you come back? Could it be a vampire version of the character? Cause I’m here for that, like a zombie version, maybe."
"It would be a real Marvel miracle," she added. "It would be a marvel, but who knows? I’m not sure..."
Avengers 5 is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 1, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars to follow on May 7, 2027.