Production Info

Emily Blunt was originally set to star as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow but had to pull out due to scheduling conflicts with the production of Gulliver’s Travels.

Scarlett dyed her hair red before she was even offered a role in the film. She wanted to convince Director Jon Favreau that she was committed and right for the part.

Jessica Biel, Gemma Arterton, Natalie Portman, Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie were all considered for the role of the Black Widow.

The majority of her character’s stunts and fight sequences were performed by Scarlett herself. She trained vigorously with stunt coordinator Thomas Harper before and during production to ensure she could pull off the physical demands of the role.

Black Widow’s alias of Natalie Rushman is inspired by Nancy Rushman, a S.H.I.E.L.D. cover identity she has used in the comics.

When Tony Stark asks Natasha if she actually speaks Latin, she responds with the phrase “Fallaces sunt rerum species,” a quote from Lucio Anneo Seneca meaning “The appearances of things are deceptive.”

Composer John Debney recorded the score in only four days.

Character Quotes

Is that dirty enough for you?

Looks like the fight’s coming to you.

Quoting: Scarlett Johansson

On her character: This character could have been the temptress that comes in and tries to break up the foundation of Tony’s world, but she has a specific motivation, which adds a little bit of spark between the characters. She knows something about Tony that Pepper doesn’t know and that in itself contributes a certain dynamic that goes deeper than just sexual chemistry and tension.

On the appeal of her character: I love every tiny detail from her fabulous outfit to the wonderful hair. I mean, there’s nothing not to like about the character. She’s very bad, and I think it’s rare that we get to see these sort of super heroines brought to the screen, where they’re really kicking some major ass, which she does.

On the history of the character: Black Widow has such a complex, and long-standing and diverse origin story behind her, you know, and she’s beloved by so many fans that it really was a bit—it wasn’t that it was daunting, but it was always in the back of my mind that this was gonna be my interpretation of the character and hoping that the fans were going to be inspired by that so that I could carry on the legacy. You know, these movies are really geared towards fans and it’s an exciting process to be a part of.

On Natasha’s skill set: She’s an expert in hand-to-hand combat, she’s a mixed martial artist, has a dance and gymnastics background, so she combines all of these aspects into one kick-ass fighting machine so I dedicated myself to putting in the hours, repetitions, and training with the stunt team until I felt comfortable that I could sell each particular move.

On the appeal of the Marvel universe: When Iron Man came out my mom saw the film and loved it. I thought ‘Wow, my mom doesn’t know anything about comics and if the film spans a wide age demographic then it must be really good.’ I went to see the film and was blown away by the story and how charming it was. The action was great, but it also was romantic, funny, clever and witty. It was just a great film. So when I heard that there was a possible part in the second installment, I was all over it and determined to be in the film.

On preparing for the physicality of the role: Black Widow is an expert in hand-to-hand combat, she’s a mixed martial artist, has a dance and gymnastics background, so she combines all of these aspects into one kick-ass fighting machine. So I dedicated myself to putting in the hours, repetitions, and training with the stunt team until I felt comfortable that I could sell each particular move.

On Black Widow’s costume: I knew it was going to be some kind of sexy unitard, because I had researched the character in the comics. I’ve never worn anything like it before, so I had a freak-out moment that lasted about half a day, but then I said ‘Okay, time to suck it up’ and just went full force into getting in shape to wear the costume and perform the physical action so it looked just right.

On the fight sequences: When I first saw it completed and choreographed by the stunt team, I just thought to myself, ‘Oh my god, I don’t know how I’m going to do this. But then I took a deep breath and, with all the training and repetitions we put in during rehearsals, it just started to flow and it became a reality as I was doing it. It was a lot of fun for me to work with all the people Tommy Harper assembled because they are some of the greatest stunt guys out there and were so incredibly supportive. It was very frustrating at times, which I am sure you will see on the DVD, but I think we really nailed it and when Tommy Harper [stunt coordinator] says you got it, then I know we got it and it will be great fun to watch.

On doing her own stunts: I’m very sensitive about when you see an action sequence and the shot is on the back of somebody’s head, and then all of the sudden it cuts and the actor gives that one dramatic pose at the end and it’s obvious that it was not them in the shot before. It’s the lamest thing, because you want to see the actor risking their own life, and that is part of what sells it to an audience. So that’s why I worked for months to prepare and I really didn’t want to be perceived as a little wuss who couldn’t do it.

On working with the stunt team: It was so easy for me to be a part of that crew. I had never been so close to the stunt team before and really they were like my little cheerleaders the whole time and totally supported me through all of it. I got very lucky.

On working with Jon Favreau: I have always felt that actors make the best directors and he has such a great way of communicating with actors – a no-bullshit approach to the actor-director relationship. We had a nice rapport between us and he’s so open to suggestions. Obviously he has an improv background and I think he directs in a similar manner. He’s always willing to just throw a line out to you and see what you can do with it. He’s very malleable and we found these scenes sort of blossoming even more as we shot them.

Quoting: Cast and Crew

Director Jon Favreau: There was some initial resistance to Scarlett playing the role in the fanboy community because she hadn’t done an action film before, but what appealed to me the most in casting Scarlett was her dedication and intelligence. I think you need smart people in a movie like this because there’s too much up for grabs and there are too many things that change, so you need somebody who is going to be a steward of their character. Scarlett assured me that she would work as hard as she needed to do all of the stunts and physical work in the film. True to her word, she was completely dedicated when it came to spending countless hours in preparing for all of the physical work and looking her best in the Black Widow costume.

Director Jon Favreau: Scarlett really prepared and learned a lot of the moves. She also did her own wirework and really transformed her body. This really helped flesh out her character. She’s just a truly smart actor with wonderful instincts. It’s funny because she’s quite a bit younger than I, but you forget that when you’re talking with her. She’s just so sharp, experienced and has so much acting experience for her age. She really is a fine addition to the film and I think audiences are going to respond in a big way to the character.

Screenwriter Justin Theroux: Black Widow is a character that any red-blooded male is going to love and Scarlett was the perfect person to fill those shoes.

Stunt co-ordinator Tommy Harper: Scarlett did an amazing amount of training in preparing for this film. She had never done anything remotely like what was required here, so we basically started from ground zero. We did wind sprints, stretching and kicking and she really put her heart into it from day one. I have worked with a lot of great actresses who have put in great efforts, but the time and dedication that Scarlett put forth during preproduction was second to none.

Co-star Robert Downey Jr.: Scarlett was just a dream, you know, she’s so game. Natalie is so complex and kind of unreadable and she had a really good time doing it. There’s very little you can do to get under her skin, she’s just consummately professional.

Co-star Gwyneth Paltrow: It’s great having another female character in the film because it adds a whole other layer in terms of Tony and Pepper. There’s always something that gets in the way and keeps them from getting together romantically and Natalie is this young, gorgeous bombshell who immediately catches Tony’s eye and throws Pepper off her course. It makes it really fun to play and we’re very fortunate to have Scarlett in the film because she’s a really great actress.

Co-star Gwyneth Paltrow: I adore Scarlett. I loved having her on set. She is really funny. She swears a lot. She has a dirty sense of humor. She loves to cook. She’s like a girl after my own heart.

Critical Response

Wesley Morris, The Boston Globe: The addition of Scarlett Johansson as a mysterious new Stark Industries hire only sweetens the intrigue. When she steps into the boxing ring wearing work attire and looks just past the camera almost at us, it’s the easiest seduction Johansson’s ever committed. She makes a strong entrance, but has even less to do than Paltrow. And yet, you’re happy to see her.

Richard Corliss, Time: Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson all scurry past with little to do, though Johansson does have one brief, nifty display of martial artistry.

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic: There are some nice new characters: a dapper, villainous Sam Rockwell (who threatens to out-awesome Mr. Downey at various points in the film); Don Cheadle (oops, sorry, Terrence Howard!) as concerned friend Lt. Col. James “Rhodey” Rhodes and Scarlett Johansson as the mysterious Natalie, who kicks ass in a way I would never have expected.