Natasha Romanoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Alianovna and the family name is Romanoff.

Natasha Romanoff
Marvel Cinematic Universe character
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in The Avengers (2012)
First appearanceIron Man 2 (2010)
Last appearanceBlack Widow (2021)
Based on
Black Widow
by
Adapted byJustin Theroux
Portrayed by
Voiced byLake Bell (What If...?)[2]
In-universe information
Full nameNatalia Alianovna Romanova
Aliases
  • Black Widow
  • Natalie Rushman
NicknameNat
Occupation
Affiliation
Weapon
Family
OriginSoviet Union
NationalityRussian-American

Natalia Alianovna Romanova, more commonly known as Natasha Romanoff, is a fictional character primarily portrayed by Scarlett Johansson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise—based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name—sometimes known by her alias, Black Widow. Romanoff is depicted as an expert spy and hand-to-hand combatant, trained in the Red Room from childhood to be a KGB assassin. This brought her under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s radar, and Clint Barton was sent to kill her but instead spared her life and recruited her into the organization.

When Nick Fury activates the Avengers Initiative, she becomes a founding member. Following the fallout related to the Sokovia Accords, Romanoff became a fugitive and eventually reunited with her adopted family, including sister Yelena Belova. They worked together to destroy General Dreykov's Black Widow program. After Thanos erases half of all life, Romanoff leads the Avengers for five years until she sacrifices herself to obtain the Soul Stone, successfully helping the Avengers restore trillions of lives across the universe.

Romanoff was introduced in Iron Man 2 (2010) and became a central MCU character, appearing in nine films, including her final live-action appearance in Black Widow (2021).[5] Johansson's portrayal of Romanoff was met with positive reception.

Alternate versions of the character appear in the animated series What If...? (2021), voiced by Lake Bell. These versions include an incarnation of Romanoff, who sees her world decimated by an alternate version of Ultron, eventually resulting in her being recruited into the Guardians of the Multiverse by the Watcher.[6]

  1. ^ Hammond, Pete (June 29, 2021). "'Black Widow' Review: Marvel Universe Starts Phase 4 With Action-Packed Sendoff For Scarlett Johansson's Avenger". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  2. ^ Shannon Miller, Liz (August 10, 2021). "'Marvel's What If...?' Review: Guaranteed Fun for the MCU Superfans". Collider. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "The Avengers Secretly Set Up Black Widow's Solo Movie". Screen Rant. April 14, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "On Screen Full Report". Marvel.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  5. ^ Aurthur, Kate (July 7, 2021). "'Black Widow' Stars Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh on Their Epic Journey and Natasha's Final Bow". Variety. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  6. ^ Collington, Faefyx (October 7, 2021). "Guardians Of The Multiverse Explained: Why Every Team Member Is Chosen". Screen Rant. Screen Rant. Retrieved October 7, 2021.


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