Scarlett Johansson Slams Oscars for Ignoring Avengers: Endgame

Scarlett Johansson, a two-time Academy Award nominee, has expressed surprise that Avengers: Endgame — the record-breaking Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film in which she played a pivotal role as Black Widow — received only a single Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects.

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Johansson questioned the lack of recognition from the Academy. “How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar?” she asked. “It was an impossible movie that should not have worked, that really works as a film — and also, it’s one of the most successful films of all time.”

While Avengers: Endgame is widely regarded as one of the strongest entries in the MCU catalog, superhero and genre films have historically been overlooked in major categories such as Best Actor, Best Director, or Best Picture. To date, the only Marvel Studios film to receive an Academy Award nomination outside of technical categories is Black Panther (2018), which earned multiple nods including Best Picture.

Johansson’s portrayal of Natasha Romanoff spanned over a decade, beginning with Iron Man 2 (2010) and culminating in her emotional send-off in Endgame. Despite the depth and evolution of her character, the Oscars have yet to recognize her performance.

In the same interview, Johansson also shared that she likely won’t return to the MCU. “It would be very hard for me to understand in what capacity [returning] would make sense for me, for the character that I play,” she explained.

She added, “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.”

Before bowing out completely, Johansson reprised the role one final time for the 2021 prequel Black Widow, which explored the untold chapters of Romanoff’s past. She also served as an executive producer on the film, marking a fitting conclusion to her journey in the MCU.