Natasha Romanoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Natasha Romanoff
Marvel Cinematic Universe character
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in The Avengers (2012)
First appearance	Iron Man 2 (2010)
Last appearance	Black Widow (2021)
Based on	Black Widow by Stan Lee Don Rico Don Heck
Adapted by	Justin Theroux
Portrayed by	Scarlett Johansson Ever Anderson (young)
Voiced by	Lake Bell (What If...?)[1]
In-universe information
Full name	Natalia Alianovna Romanova
Aliases	Black Widow Natalie Rushman
Nickname	Nat
Occupation	Leader of the Avengers[a] Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Assassin
Affiliation	Avengers Stark Industries S.H.I.E.L.D. S.T.R.I.K.E.[2] KGB Red Room
Weapon	Various firearms Dual Glock 26 handguns Dual batons "Widow's Bite" electrified bracelets[3]
Family	Ivan Romanov (father) Alexei Shostakov (adoptive father) Melina Vostokoff (adoptive mother) Yelena Belova (adoptive sister)
Significant other	Bruce Banner[b]
Origin	Soviet Union
Nationality	Russian-American

Natalia Alianovna Romanova, more commonly known as Natasha Romanoff, is a fictional character primarily portrayed by Scarlett Johansson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Romanoff is depicted as an expert spy, trained in the Russian-based Red Room from childhood to become an assassin. She was later recruited by Clint Barton to join the United States government agency S.H.I.E.L.D., adopting the alias, Black Widow.

Romanoff is later recruited as a member of the Avengers Initiative where she assists the team in taking down various supervillains including Loki, and Ultron. She has also been a strong ally of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. Following the Avengers Civil War, Romanoff becomes a fugitive and reunites with her adopted family, including her sister Yelena Belova, to destroy General Dreykov's Red Room program. After Thanos initiates the Blip, Romanoff leads the Avengers for five years until she sacrifices herself to obtain the Soul Stone, successfully helping the team restore everyone.

Johansson first portrayed the character in Iron Man 2 (2010) and went on to become a central character in the franchise, appearing in nine films including her final live-action appearance in Black Widow (2021). Her portrayal was met with positive reception. Alternate versions of the character also appeared in the animated Disney+ series What If...? (2021), voiced by Lake Bell. These versions include an incarnation of Romanoff who was recruited into the Guardians of the Multiverse by the Watcher.

Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).