Disney+ Black Widow (2021)

[Sam Favate]

Title: Black Widow ()

Genre: Action, Science Fiction, Adventure

Director: Cate Shortland

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, O.T. Fagbenle, Rachel Weisz, David Harbour

Plot: First standalone movie of Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Variety reports that Marvel has hired Jac Schaeffer to write a stand-alone Black Widow movie, the first step in its development. Of course, plenty of scripts are commissioned that are not made into films, but the anticipation on this one is so high, that it seems a better-than-average bet that it will be made.

http://variety.com/2018/film/news/marvel-black-widow-jac-schaeffer-screenwriter-1202643908/

The article also says that Marvel execs met with Scarlett Johansson to talk about what they wanted to see in a movie, suggesting that the writer will have some guidelines to follow. No word on when the movie might be released.

This one has been a long time coming. Glad to see its first steps happening.

 

[Jonathan Perregaux]

I want one.

 

[Sean Bryan]

I want one.

 

[Jake Lipson]

Took 'em long enough. Glad it's finally happening. After her long and terrific run in the other Marvel films, Scarlett Johansson deserves this, and so does the character, and so do the fans.

 

[Sean Bryan]

 

[Traveling Matt]

Glad to see this finally happening. Thank you Diana.

 

[Sam Favate]

Possible 2020 release for the Black Widow:

https://mcuexchange.com/black-widow-scarlett-johannson-pay/

 

[Jake Lipson]

That would make sense. That's after Avengers 4, so presumably some longtime actors are going to have their deals up, so if they can keep Johansson around, that provides some continuity between what they've been doing up to now and what comes next. Of course, that also means we know she can't die in Avengers 4, but that's okay.

According to Box Office Mojo, Marvel has three dates carved out for 2020: May 1, August 7 and November 6.

James Gunn has confirmed that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is targeting 2020, so I assume that one will probably land on the May 1 date, which is the same slot they used for Vol. 2 last year.

If so, that leaves August 7 or November 6 for Black Widow.

 

[JimmyO]

So then....Widow to survive Infinity War? Unless this is an origin story film.

I imagine that her whole 'red on my ledger' story would be somewhat interesting - maybe?

Wouldn't it be odd/unusual to have an origin story after so many current day stories of that character being told first?

*cough* HanSolo *cough*

 

[Sam Favate]

Joe Russo thinks the Black Widow movie will happen, following the Captain Marvel movie.



http://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/...irector-thinks-black-widow-solo-movie-coming/

 

[Jake Lipson]

Yeah, I would assume she has to survive Infinity War. Except for Captain Marvel and the first Captain America film, Marvel usually prefers to move forward, not backward. If the character dies in Infinity War, I'm not sure audiences would want to engage as much with a prequel while still mourning for her death. (As Jimmy noted, that didn't stop them from doing Han Solo, but still.) Also, the ones who most people seem to think will die are at the end of their contracts, which Scarlett must not be if this is in development, since of course it would have to be her.

 

[Sam Favate]

The movie will apparently take place before Iron Man 2, circa 2004-2005, and may involve Sebastian Stan's Winter Solider.

http://thathashtagshow.com/2018/04/exclusive-details-on-marvel-studios-black-widow-solo-film/

 

[Sean Bryan]

A prequel makes sense.

I’d like to see them explore her indoctrination and training as a Black Widow and how/why she broke away and joined SHIELD. Good opportunity to use Jeremy Renner as well.

 

[Jake Lipson]

Buried in The Hollywood Reporter's story about the new Star Trek film going to a female director:

Marvel Studios has been looking for a director to break its glass ceiling with Black Widow and has been meeting with filmmakers such as Deniz Gamze Erguven (the Turkish movie Mustang), Chloe Zhao (The Rider) and Amma Asante (A United Kingdom), among several others. That search is still ongoing, according to sources.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/h...nes-director-talks-direct-star-trek-4-1106180

 

[Sam Favate]

The production designer for Red Sparrow, Maria Djurkovic, has apparently been hired for Black Widow.

The movie also looks headed for a 2019 production start, suggesting (again) a 2020 release.

https://mcucosmic.com/2018/05/23/marvels-black-widow-film-lands-red-sparrows-production-designer/

 

[Jake Lipson]

It seems weird that Marvel would hire a production designer before first deciding on a director, who might expect to have some input on hires for the crew working under her.

Then again, maybe the already know who is directing it and just won't make any announcements until post-Avengers 4. (Man, I'm ready to not be calling that Avengers 4. We'll take that title anytime, Marvel. Anytime...)

 

[Sam Favate]

It seems weird that Marvel would hire a production designer before first deciding on a director, who might expect to have some input on hires for the crew working under her.

Then again, maybe the already know who is directing it and just won't make any announcements until post-Avengers 4. (Man, I'm ready to not be calling that Avengers 4. We'll take that title anytime, Marvel. Anytime...)

The article above says that an announcement of the director could be next.

I very much doubt they'd wait until May 2019 to announce a 2020 film.

 

[Jake Lipson]

Well, they have the three dates in 2020 claimed so it doesn't really matter when they announce what films will go where. One of them will be Guardians 3, per James Gunn.

But, if Black Widow is indeed a prequel to her previous MCU appearances, the outcome of the present conflict with Thanos may not have much or any bearing on ti anyway, so it might be safe to announce anytime. I don't think they want to make any more announcements than absolutely necessary about stories that will follow A4 chronologically before that film comes out.

 

[Jake Lipson]

Marvel has hired Cate Shortland to direct.

https://variety.com/2018/film/news/black-widow-director-cate-shortland-1202872088/

Has anyone seen any of her previous work? I don't believe I have.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

She's mostly worked in Australia. Berlin Syndrome got a lot of buzz at Sundance last year, though, and Netflix picked up the U.S. rights. It's available to stream now.