After scene-stealing turns in six Marvel films,Scarlett Johanssonand her fan-loved characterBlack Widoware getting their own movie.
Not only that, but according to a report fromThe Hollywood Reporterthe actress, 33, who has portrayed Russian spy-turned-superhero Natasha Romanoff since the character’s film debut in 2010’sIron Man 2, will be getting asuperhero-sized paycheckfor the project — $15 million, the same amount thatChris EvansandChris Hemsworthgot for each of their standalone films.
Johansson’s Black Widow has also appeared inThe Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity Warand the upcomingAvengers: Endgame. The character is a key member of the Avengers alongside Captain America and Iron Man, and fans have been rooting for a standalone film that would provide more background on the superhero’s origins.
Here’s everything we know about the Black Widow standalone film thus far.
Jay Maidment/Marvel/Walt Disney/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
- Johansson negotiated her own hefty payday
In an era where more women in film are speaking up about wanting and deserving equal pay, Johansson will reportedly earn$15 millionfor her solo film, which is the same amount that costarsEvansandHemsworthgot forAvengers: Infinity Warand their characters’ standalone films, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.
While Marvel studios disputed the accuracy of the $15 million salary amount toTHR, the outlet said “multiple knowledgeable sources” confirmed the number is accurate.
Robert Downey Jr.was paid $500,000 for the firstIron Man, and more recently,Chadwick Bosemanearned $2 million forBlack Panther.
- Up and coming actress Florence Pugh will costar
The 23-year-old British actress is in talks to star in the film alongside Johansson, according toVariety.
Although not much is yet known about the plot of the standalone film,THRreported that Pugh could be playing a spy with a stealthy skill set similar to Black Widow’s.
Newcomer Pugh is currently starring in the Dwayne Johnson-produced filmFighting with My Familyas Saraya Knight, one of the WWE’s most successful female professional wrestlers.
Florence Pugh.Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Pugh’s next film isGreta Gerwig’sLittle Womenopposite Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep and Laura Dern. She’ll portray the youngest March sister, Amy.
Cate Shortland has been tapped to direct and female screenwriter Jac Schaeffer will pen the script, according toVariety.
This is Shortland’s first blockbuster-sized film. She is best known for her filmsLore, Somersault, Berlin SyndromeandJoy(not to be confused with Jennifer Lawrence’s film of the same name).
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Patty Jenkins famously directed DC’s soloWonder Womanfilm starring Gal Gadot, which grossed $821 million at the world box office with a budget of about $150 million.
A release date for the untitled Black Widow movie has not been set.
source: people.com
