Back in 2010 when Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow made her debut in Iron Man 2, fan reaction was a mix between ‘OMG IT’S THE BLACK WIDOW!’ and ‘She’s alright, I guess’.
Fast forward to 2012 and the battle of New York in the original Avengers film when she and Clint Barton aka Hawkeye met on screen for the first time.
Fans had their hearts and imaginations captured by the pair’s apparent shared history, with a reference to something that happened in Budapest being a highlight of this interaction.
Seriously, what on EARTH happened in Budapest? Does anyone have any ideas?
Since then, there has been a fan push for a Black Widow movie. Every time a new Marvel movie was announced, there would always be cries of ‘when are they announcing the new Black Widow movie’.
Finally, after 10 years of Marvel movies, it seems that our beloved femme fatale is finally getting a movie!
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Australian director Cate Shortland has landed the spot, making her the first female director to single handedly direct a Marvel project. (About time!)
Scarlett Johansson is slated to return for her role as Natasha Romanoff and the rest of us are left to speculate what her first solo film will even be about.
As such, here are 5 possible storylines the Shortland and her team at Marvel could adapt for the Black Widow movie:
1. Black Widow: The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Source: SyFy Wire
This is 19 years ago by Devin Grayson, with art by JG Jones and is a three issue miniseries.
The story is considered quintessential Black Widow reading and deals with a female Russian spy, also going by Black Widow, out to get Natasha.
The story deals with Natasha’s past as a Russian spy, her life as an American spy, and how those two lives come together with devastating consequences.
The new Black Widow is called Yelena Belova and is a hyper-competent femme fatale in her own right. She provides an excellent foil for Natasha and an interesting way to explore who she could have become, if she made different choices in life.
2. Black Widow: Web of Intrigue
Source: SyFy Wire
Since Black Widow is a spy, she feels perfectly at home in a spy action story the likes of which is usually seen in Bond films.
Ralph Macchio and George Perez once did just that by writing an adventure where six of the world’s deadliest assassins are out to kill the Black Widow while a fake version of herself plots to assassinate Nick Fury.
A story like this would be great for her because it could cut her off from her team and show us what the Widow can really do when it’s just her with no backup.
3. Black Widow: Kiss or Kill
Source: Pinterest
The Black Widow gets framed for killing a US Senator, making her go on the run while dealing with the CIA and superhuman assassins.
Long time readers would notice that Natasha being framed and having to go on the run is a very common style of story for the Black Widow. However, the reason writers keep coming back to it is because it works really well. The Black Widow has always been someone who plays her cards close to her chest, making it hard to fully trust her.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), she is the one who leaked out the information about SHIELD and Hydra at the end of Captain America: the Winter Soldier, putting her at odds with the US government. The stage seems set for something like this.
4. Black Widow: Name of the Rose
Source: Marvel Comic Store
So the Black Widow is framed for a crime she didn’t commit. Again. And she goes on the run. Again.
Despite our flippant way of describing this story, the actual tale is a really good one. While the Widow is on the run from an unknown assassin, her friends (and ex-lovers) are trying to prove her innocence.
This story is notable for also having Iron Man and Wolverine in the mix. Since Disney and Fox merged recently, wouldn’t it be really interesting to introduce Wolverine into the MCU through a Black Widow spy movie?
5. Black Widow: Homecoming
Source: Indiana Gazette
Many describe this particular tale as a Jason Bourne-like take on the character of the Black Widow.
After retiring from spy work, she is attacked, forcing her to get back in and go back to the one place she never wanted to return; Russia.
This could be a great opportunity to explore her past, training, and the series of decisions that brought her to where she was at the start of Iron Man 2.
Besides, Spider-Man got a movie called ‘Homecoming’ so why not Black Widow, who is also named after a spider.
Those are all great storylines that could be adapted to a future Black Widow movie that we would love to see.
Any one of those stories also makes for a great read for anyone looking to learn more about their beloved sexy Russian double (triple?) agent spy femme fatale.
If we are going to get a wholly original movie, based on absolutely nothing, that’s fine too. Just tell us what happened in Budapest! Please! It’s been six years!
Header Image Source: MovieZone