Since the early phases of theMarvelCinematic Universe, avidAvengersfans have been clamoring for Black Widow to take center stage in her own film. In 2018, Disney and Marvel Studios met those demands by announcingBlack Widow,a solo venture that would be released in 2020. However, those who have been waiting forNatasha Romanoff’s story since her first appearances inIron Man 2andThe Avengerswill have to wait a little longer.
A recent report from Varietyrevealed that the two studios would be postponing the film’s release date due to the current coronavirus outbreak. This delay is the latest in a series ofcancellations and delays by video game developers like The Pokemon Companyand by movie studios with upcoming premieres.
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According to the report, neither Disney norMarvelhas given a new release date. However, it stated that this delay was likely due to the closure of movie theaters across the world. Varietylisted Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and Washington among the states that have already been ordered to close due to the CDC’s warning that large gatherings could spread COVID-19 even further. When also considering international theater closures, and the fact that most movie theater chains are closed until further notice, Disney and Marvel were forced to delay their fourth film in a row.
Although fans might be disappointed by the wait forPhase 4’s first film and Black Widow’s origin story,this delay is ultimately necessary for the fans' health and safety. Outside of the coronavirus concerns,Black Widow’s delay should have a minimal impact on the MCU’s momentum, since there is currently no ongoing storyline.
With the pandemic still ongoing, it’s difficult to say whether fans will seeBlack Widow face off against TaskmasterinBlack WidoworMarvel’s Avengersfirst. The game has already been delayed to later in 2020. But while the film has already been completed,Avengerswas still wrapping up development. Until word either surfaces about how developer Square Enix has been impacted by the coronavirus or about when movie theaters will reopen, only time will tell when Natasha Romanoff will return.
