“The Avengers weren’t my first family,” Natasha Romanoff reveals in “Black Widow’s” Super Bowl spot. The upcoming Marvel pic, the first from a solo woman director, sees the eponymous heroine/former assassin (Scarlett Johansson) returning home to Russia — and her sister, Yelena (Florence Pugh).
The clip suggests that, though the sisters are long estranged, they decide to put their differences aside and team up. “At some point we all have to choose,” Black Widow says, “between what the world wants you to be, and who you are.”
Set between the events of “Captain America: Civil War” and “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Black Widow” is directed by Cate Shortland (“Berlin Syndrome”) and co-stars Rachel Weisz. It marks Johansson’s ninth time taking on the role of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. The character first appeared in 2010’s “Iron Man 2.”
Johansson and Pugh are both up for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. The former is being recognized for her work in Nazi Germany-set satire “Jojo Rabbit” and the latter for portraying Amy March in Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women.” Johansson is also nominated for Best Actress for her performance in divorce drama “Marriage Story.”
Last year’s “Captain Marvel” is the only other Marvel feature to be directed by a woman to date. Anna Boden helmed the Brie Larson-starrer alongside Ryan Fleck. It grossed over $1 billion worldwide and is one of the highest-earning women-directed pics of all time at the domestic box office. Another woman-helmed Marvel title, Chloé Zhao’s “Eternals,” is expected this fall.
“Black Widow” hits theaters May 1.