Since starring as Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow, in the 2010 Marvel film “Iron Man 2,” Scarlett Johansson has been dealing with the issue of how the character’s sexuality is portrayed. Fast forward over ten years, and with the release of the upcoming standalone movie centered around Black Widow, Johansson is delighted to observe the absence of the previous “overly sexualized” portrayal of the character.
“It has certainly gone through a transformation and I believe I have played a role in that as well,” shared Johansson, aged 36, during an interview with Hello Beautiful.
“Being a mother has had a significant impact on my life,” she explained, speaking of her 6-year-old daughter Rose, whom she co-parents with her ex-husband Romain Dauriac. “Over the last 10 years, various experiences and events have taken place, leading me to gain a much deeper and evolved understanding of myself. As a woman, I find myself in a completely different stage of life now.”
In the film “Iron Man 2,” Scarlett Johansson’s character was initially presented as a visually appealing addition to Tony Stark’s life. Taking on the role of his personal aide, the actress portrays Romanoff with a touch of flirtation. However, as the plot unfolds, it is revealed that her intentions were to gain proximity to Stark, as she was actually implanted there by Nick Fury. Reflecting on her role, Johansson now acknowledges that the character was portrayed in a highly sexualized manner.
In the scene from “Iron Man 2,” Scarlett Johansson expresses her frustration about the way her character, Romanoff, is treated. She mentions that Romanoff is talked about as if she is just an object or possession, using derogatory terms. Even Tony Stark refers to her in a demeaning way at one point.
The scene begins with Stark inquiring, “May I know your name, ma’am?” He then invites her to join him in the boxing ring where he is currently sparring with Happy, who is also the movie’s director, Jon Favreau. This way, he can assess her skills firsthand.
Later on, outside of the ring, Stark engages in a conversation with Pepper Potts. In the meantime, he uses his technology to search for information on Romanoff, who is going by the alias of Natalie Rushman. To his surprise, he not only admires her impressive resume but also stumbles upon a striking photograph of Romanoff posing in alluring black lingerie.
Following a demonstration of her combat abilities by putting Happy in a submission hold, Romanoff departs from the gym. Stark then turns to Potts, his long-time love interest, and jokingly remarks, “I definitely wouldn’t mind having one like her.”
“It’s possible that back then, I interpreted it as a compliment, you know? My mindset was different,” explained Johansson regarding the remark, acknowledging that she may have gauged her self-worth based on such comments. However, Johansson emphasized that her perspective has since evolved.
“I’m amazed at how young girls are now receiving a truly empowering message,” Johansson shared. “Being able to contribute to this shift and be a part of the classic narrative while also moving forward and evolving has been an incredible experience. It’s really cool.”
The storyline of “Black Widow” occurs after the incidents of “Captain America: Civil War,” where Romanoff confronts her complex history. Johansson is joined by Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, and David Harbour in this highly anticipated film, which will be released in theaters and on Disney+ on July 9th.
