Scarlett Johansson Opens Up About Her MCU Journey and Why She Declined Producer Credit on Thunderbolts
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an expansive franchise with beloved main characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. Yet, some characters, such as Natasha Romanoff—better known as Black Widow—have had less space to fully develop within the sprawling narrative. Recently, Scarlett Johansson sat down for an intimate one-on-one conversation with David Harbour, who also stars in the MCU, as they both reflected on portraying their iconic roles for over a decade.
Their discussion coincided with the release of Thunderbolts, where David Harbour praised Scarlett’s enduring presence, saying, “Today is the movie’s release day, and you’re basically the seventh member of the Thunderbolts. Your character threads through the entire film… and you’re also credited as an executive producer—congratulations!” However, Johansson quickly clarified, “Actually, I requested to have my producer credit removed because I wasn’t involved in that capacity.” Her tone implied the credit was likely contractual rather than reflective of her actual role in production.
Both actors share a unique experience: they’ve inhabited their MCU roles for nearly ten years. Johansson has portrayed Black Widow for 11 years, while Harbour has brought life to Chief Jim Hopper in Netflix’s Stranger Things for almost a decade, with the series set to conclude its fifth season later this year.
Reflecting on her MCU tenure, Johansson revealed the emotional complexities behind long-term franchise work. “In some Marvel films, my role had more room to grow—for example, in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the chemistry between Chris Evans and me really sparked. But in other movies, with so many characters and complex storylines, I sometimes felt like just a tool to push the plot forward. Spending five and a half months filming like that felt restricting—‘No nail polish, no haircut.’ These might sound like small things, but when you’re tied to a character long-term and can’t fully express yourself, it becomes suffocating.”
Harbour resonated deeply with her sentiment. “When I started on Stranger Things, I loved the show,” he said. “Friends who had been on long-running series warned me that by season three or four, I’d want to escape. I thought, ‘No way! I love these people!’ But eventually, you start wondering, ‘How many stories are left for this character?’ You repeat similar performances, and then a feeling creeps in: ‘I want to take risks, do things the audience hasn’t seen before.’ After ten years, you think, ‘Okay, that’s enough.’”
Johansson’s Black Widow character died in Avengers: Endgame (2019), with the later standalone Black Widow film serving as a prequel exploring her backstory. Over recent years, Johansson has been clear about her reluctance to return to the Marvel Universe.
In a candid interview with Vanity Fair earlier this year, she explained, “It’s hard to imagine what would bring me back. Regarding this character, I really miss my co-stars and the collaborations, but Black Widow’s story is complete. I don’t want to undo that. It’s important to the fans, too.”
The Challenges of Long-Term Franchise Roles
The conversation between Johansson and Harbour sheds light on a growing reality for actors deeply embedded in expansive cinematic universes. While these franchises offer incredible exposure and fan loyalty, the creative limitations and contractual obligations can weigh heavily. For Johansson, the experience has been bittersweet: she cherishes the relationships built but feels constrained creatively by a character whose arc has reached its natural conclusion.
Harbour’s journey on Stranger Things mirrors this experience from the TV realm. The excitement of playing a beloved character evolves over years into a desire for artistic freedom and new challenges. This reflects a broader trend among actors balancing career longevity with creative fulfillment.
What Lies Ahead?
As Thunderbolts hits theaters, Johansson’s decision to distance herself from future Marvel projects marks a significant moment in the MCU’s evolving narrative. Fans can appreciate her nuanced portrayal of Black Widow, which remains an iconic cornerstone of the franchise. Meanwhile, both Johansson and Harbour exemplify the complexities of sustaining a career within long-running pop culture phenomena, balancing professional success with personal growth.
Their candid reflections offer a rare glimpse behind the scenes, reminding us that even superheroes sometimes need to hang up their capes.
