Actress Scarlett Johansson, with two Academy Award nominations to her name, remains puzzled as to why *Avengers: Endgame*, where she portrayed Black Widow, didn't secure more than its single nomination for visual effects. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Johansson expressed her bewilderment, stating, "How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar? It was an impossible movie that should not have worked, yet it really works as a film—and also, it's one of the most successful films of all time."
*Avengers: Endgame* is widely regarded as one of the finest entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in recent years. However, the Academy has traditionally been hesitant to award superhero films with top honors, such as nominations in acting or directing categories. The only exception to date has been *Black Panther* in 2018. Despite this, Johansson's performance as Natasha Romanoff, from her debut in *Iron Man 2* to her poignant death in *Endgame*, was considered by many to be worthy of recognition.
In the same interview, Johansson shared her thoughts on potentially returning to the MCU. She explained, "It would be very hard for me to understand in what capacity [returning] would make sense for me, for the character that I play. I miss my buddies and really would love to be with them forever, but what works about the character is that her story is complete. I don’t want to mess with that. For fans, too—it’s important for them."
Following Black Widow's death in *Endgame*, Johansson reprised her role as Natasha Romanoff in the 2021 prequel film *Black Widow*, which she also executive produced. This film allowed fans to delve deeper into the character's backstory and provided a fitting tribute to her journey within the MCU.