Black Widow: Scarlett Johansson rejects claims that solo movie is ‘five or 10 years’ late

Actor has played Black Widow since 2010’s ‘Iron Man 2’, but has only just been given her own solo movie

Scarlett Johansson has rejected claims that her solo Black Widow movie should have been made years ago.

Despite having played the character since 2010’s Iron Man 2, Johansson is only just being given her own movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

She has now said, however, that it couldn’t have been made any sooner.

“For anyone who said to me, ‘Oh, this should’ve happened five or 10 years ago,’ I’m like, it would not have been as substantial,” Johansson told Entertainment Weekly.

“We just would not have been able to do it,” she added. “This film is happening now as a result of what’s going on in the zeitgeist, and I think it’s pretty cool.”

Johansson said that she felt the world was ready for Black Widow while filming a scene in Avengers: Endgame in which she fought alongside a number of female characters, including Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen).

She added: “I hope that this film continues pushing that boundary, so that we can actually have more female superheroes who are inherently female, and aren’t just Batman in heels or whatever.”

Black Widow, which also stars Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz and David Harbour, is a prequel set before the events of Avengers: Endgame.

It will be released on 1 May.