It might be hard to imagine any other actress playing Black Widow for Marvel other than Scarlett Johansson, but it turns out that the Avengers: Endgame star wasn't Marvel Studio's first choice for the role.
Speaking in an interview with Parade magazine (Via USA Today) to help promote her very first standalone movie as Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow star Scarlett Johansson talks about how she was cast for the role.
According to the actress, she wasn't really Marvel Studio's first choice to play Black Widow, and it turns out that being second place helped her appreciate the part even more.
While Johansson had a "wonderful" meeting with Iron Man director Jon Favreau, the director ultimately decided to pass on the actress so that he could cast Emily Blunt for the role.
"I was really excited to work with him," Johansson told the entertainment news outlet, "So I said, ‘If this doesn't work out, I'm an actor for hire, so call me anytime.' "
Unfortunately, the A Quiet Place star couldn't accept the part because of her tight schedule. In the end, the role went to Johansson.
While the Black Widow role might have never been Johansson's had Blunt accepted the offer, the actress says that she doesn't feel any resentment towards being Marvel's second pick.
"The best call you can receive is after you are rejected for something and then you get it," the actress said, "You appreciate it more. I've basically made a career out of being second choice."
Johansson has been an excellent Black Widow. The actress really fit into the role, and now, after years of working alongside the Avengers, the super spy is finally getting her own standalone movie from Marvel.
Black Widow is set to premiere on November 6, 2020.
Read: Marvel Directors Suggest Cinemas to Screen Avengers Movies After COVID-19
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