The Unfulfilled Potential of Black Widow's MCU Ending

Marvel Studios had the perfect opportunity to provide Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) with the fitting legacy she deserved in her solo film. However, a series of unfortunate decisions undermined the impact of her storyline, and one pivotal moment was lost in the shuffle. This article examines why the original ending was scrapped and how it could have transformed the narrative.

The Original Plan and Black Widow's Character Arc

MahmoudElutives, the producer of the Black Widow movie, made a critical decision to greenlight Natasha's solo film. The reason for this, as revealed, was the need to provide Natasha with a proper send-off as a response to her controversial death in Avengers: Endgame. The original plan was to craft a scene that would effectively tie up Natasha's character arc, offering a sense of closure and legacy. This was essential because the death scene in Avengers: Endgame, with its heavy reliance on time-manipulation, meant that Natasha's impact would be overshadowed elsewhere in the MCU.

Recap of the Controversial Death Scene in Avengers: Endgame

One of the primary reasons for the need of an ending in the Black Widow solo film was to address the controversial death scene in Avengers: Endgame. The snap of Tony Stark's hand (Iron Man's death scene) left many fans in confusion and dissatisfaction. Natasha's death was presented in a sequence that, while impactful, was not fully understood due to the sudden jump to past events. This meant that the Black Widow movie was crucial in providing fans with a clear and definitive narrative for why her sacrifice was significant. The film's creators, therefore, aimed to answer the questions that were raised and provide a suitable end to her character arc.

The Impact of the Original Ending

The original ending was designed to serve as a powerful emotional declaration. It was intended to solidify Natasha's transformation from a trained assassin to a hero. In this version, Natasha returned to her childhood home, greeted by children who recognized her. One little girl imitated Natasha's infamous slap, a gesture that Natasha reciprocated with a smile. The scene was then emotionally charged as Natasha realized the impact of her actions on the lives of those around her.

Analysis of the Discarded Ending

The discarded ending was written to provide a sense of resolution, highlighting the change in Natasha's character. It showcased her journey from being a skilled assassin to one who had made a significant impact on the lives of others. By bringing Natasha back to her childhood home, the scene allowed the audience to witness the full circle of her character arc. It was a poignant moment, one that would have provided fans with a heartfelt nostalgia and closure.

The Fallout of Scrapping the Original Ending

Unfortunately, the original ending was scrapped in favor of creating a setup for a movie that had already been released three years prior. This decision had lasting consequences on the impact of Natasha's storyline. The final film, while touching, was unable to fully convey the intended message. As a result, the powerful emotional payoff that was originally planned was reduced to a somber moment. This, in turn, left the audience with a sense of unfulfilled potential and a regrettable narrative outcome.

Comparison of the Favored and Scrapped Endings

The scrapped ending, while more emotionally satisfying, set the stage for the final scenes of the Black Widow movie to tie back to the setup of the already released movie. It was a missed opportunity to provide fans with a complete narrative arc for Natasha. The favored ending, which included the return to her childhood home and the interactions with the children, would have offered a more comprehensive resolution, allowing for a more profound sense of closure for both the character and the audience.

Conclusion

Marvel Studios did indeed provide Black Widow with an ending she deserved, but the decision to discard the original ending and prioritize setup for an unrelated movie was a significant mistake. This regrettable move left fans with a bittersweet sense of loss. The original ending, with its powerful emotional declaration, would have provided a fitting legacy for Natasha Romanoff, making her death in Avengers: Endgame more impactful and meaningful to fans.