Opinion: Scarlett Johansson doesn’t get why a Black Widow movie is a bad idea

In the current glory days of super hero movies, TV shows and more with DC and Marvel going toe to toe, everyone is looking for the next big announcement to drop. Whether it's a new character or movie based on an existing character, we're constantly looking for that "next big thing". Apparently, Scarlett Johansson is as well.

The Black Widow actress spoke with Variety recently about the status of a solo film which apparently some fans actually want to see. In the interview, she was asked if there would be such a film, and she responded by saying that

I would like for it to happen under the right circumstances. I think there’s a lot of opportunity to mine that story line. She’s got a really rich origins story. There’s a lot of places you can go — you can bring it back to Russia. You could explore the Widow program. There’s all kinds of stuff that you could do with it. You could really uncover the identity of who this person is, where she comes from and where she’s part of.

The conversations about the film haven't gone static, as Johansson noted that she is currently talking to Marvel about it. Granted, we don't know how these conversations go or if they lead to anything, but she noted that

Yeah, of course. I talked to them about it often. It would have to fit in the idea of where they want to go. I’m invested in that character. Marvel is greatly invested in that character. If I did it, I’d have to do it while. I still actually wanted to wear a skin-tight catsuit. I don’t know how much longer that’s going to be.

I get it, people want more super hero oriented films, but can the truth train come into the station for a minute please? Two things 1) Scarlett Johansson will be able to wear a skin tight catsuit for a very long time going forward. 2) A Black Widow stand alone film just wouldn't be a good idea. I mean, I'd like to see more Scarlett Johansson as much as the next guy, but Black Widow has always been more of a supporting character than a main one in Marvel. The same goes for Hawkeye. Neither of the two have any super powers and have always been Robin to the rest of the MCU's Batman. How many standalone Robin films have there been again?

This setup does not make for a good inclusion of a feature film, especially when said character is the primary focus. A Black Widow backstory at the Widow Academy and how she became who she was may be interesting, but not as a movie. This is one of those times where someone tells you how it happened in a couple of sentences and you respond with "Ok, that sounds pretty cool" and you move on. Translating that into an entire movie would fail unless you try and integrate a number of other heroes. At that point, it fails to remain a Black Widow film so what's the point.

Same goes for Hawkeye. Would a Hawkeye standalone film really be that interesting? I like both characters in the film, but they will always be supporting characters. The very nature of their stories don't coincide with how a feature film. Even though I'm sure most of us like both the Hawkeye and Black Widow characters, can we admit it's time to move on from the standalone films please? Scissor kick some more people with the Avengers, or better yet make some more Ghost in the Shell movies. That is a cool film and has a big following that can make her some serious bank.  Hawkeye, keep rapid firing arrows. Unfortunately, that's not a successful plan for a two hour film.

Anyway, it's about that time. I'm officially calling it. RIP Black Widow standalone film – 2016