Scarlett Johansson, known for her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), recently revealed that she requested her name be removed from the executive producer credits of the film "Thunderbolts*". This revelation came during a conversation with David Harbour, her co-star from "Black Widow" and a cast member of "Thunderbolts*", for Interview magazine.
Harbour playfully congratulated Johansson on being an executive producer for the film, prompting her to explain her decision. "I asked to have my credit removed because I wasn't involved," she stated plainly. Johansson clarified that her lack of involvement in the creative process of "Thunderbolts*" led to her request.
While Johansson has previously stated she's unlikely to return to the MCU as an actor, she has expressed interest in directing a Marvel project. She cited her experience producing "Black Widow" as inspiring, noting the potential to maintain human connection and thematic integrity within a large-scale universe.
Reflecting on her extensive experience in the MCU, Johansson shared candid insights. "Like in [Captain America: The] Winter Soldier with Chris [Evans], we were really dynamic. In some of the other films, the cast was so enormous and there was so much plot to serve that you start to feel like you’re a device to move it along," she said. She elaborated on feeling that her character sometimes served primarily to advance the overarching plot, particularly in films with larger ensemble casts. This sentiment contributed to her decision to distance herself from "Thunderbolts*", where she felt her involvement was minimal.
This news comes as Marvel prepares for the release of "The Fantastic Four: First Steps", which will launch Phase 6. Before that, the final Phase 5 project, "Ironheart", is set to premiere on Disney Plus later this June.
Key Takeaways:
- Scarlett Johansson requested her name be removed from the "Thunderbolts*" executive producer credits.
- She cited her lack of creative involvement in the film as the reason.
- Johansson reflected on her MCU experience, expressing that she sometimes felt like a "device" to move the plot in films with large casts.
- She remains open to directing a Marvel project.
What's Next for Marvel?
Fans are eagerly awaiting the upcoming Marvel releases, including "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" and "Ironheart". The MCU continues to evolve, with new characters and storylines constantly being introduced.