A few weeks ago I had an opportunity that I am sure most guys only dream about – I had the chance to interview the lovely Scarlett Johannson about her role “Black Widow” in the upcoming film Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The film opens in theaters nationwide tomorrow (April 4, 2014).
I can see why men adore her. She’s beautiful and very well spoken. She also kicks some major a$$ in the film. 🙂
Q: When are we going to a Black Widow movie?
Scarlett: The thing about working with Marvel… how loud the audience voice is, kind of resounds in their ears. I think because Marvel, and particularly Kevin Feige, is such a fan of the source material himself and understands that the fans are kind of what drive this train. If people want that, want to see that film, I’m sure that we can get something together.
Q: In this film she’s like cupid? Why the transition?
Scarlett: Well first of all when the character is talking to Loki, you know, she’s kind of putting up this front. She’s not, as we come to realize, being completely honest with him. It’s partly for her widow face that she wears. And in this film we really get to see a lot more of Natasha. Natasha has a romantic side.
She’s been really damaged. I think that very early on in the past (she) probably learned to not care too much about people because they could be easily taken away from her and used against her. She probably didn’t want to hurt the people that she loved the most. And so she never needs them or never invested too much in them knowing that it would probably put them in danger.
I think that she hopes that for someone like Cap, particularly Steve. I think she sees someone who could have sort of have his life enriched by sharing it with somebody. That she sees someone that kind of yearns for that, but, you know, is also scarred by the series of events that have changed his life. And maybe she’s kind of sees in Steve a little bit of herself and wants something more for him.
Q: Do you enjoy having your character mature?
Scarlett: Yeah, it’s been interesting. Of course when I went in to do Avengers, after having done Iron Man 2 which, you know, you kind of don’t know a lot about the character, you sort of see her in widow mode. I met with Joss and we started talking. He did a bunch of research. Because now at this point we’re invested in this character. I didn’t know if the character would work, or the audience would like her – Like my version of her. Once it became clear they did and I got the opportunity to explore more of her back story in Avengers, it really started to carve out what my kind of version of Natasha, what my reality could be. I mean obviously it’s one of the oldest female superheroes. Probably the oldest one, and she’s got this vast library of source material and has had many incarnations and many different people have their hand in her stories. She’s made all kinds of connections and love interests and failures, and she’s been good and bad in everything.
Q: Tell us about the stunts you did.
Scarlett: Well first of all my stunt girlfriend is this wonderful stunt woman by the name of Heidi Moneymaker – that’s her real name. She’s awesome. This is our third (movie) and she’s played the widow every time along with me. We have really worked together from the beginning to develop this fighting style that you see. We want to keep the consistency of it. It’s such a fun – it’s such a playful kind of fighting style. It’s badass but it’s kind of sexy. It’s a little bit flirtatious. And it’s balletic giving a kind of a little nod to her past gymnastics. It’s also a bit of a nod to Heidi’s past. The Muay Thai and whatever else she would have learned with her kind of global experience. In Iron Man the fight sequences were really fantastic.
In the Avengers there was a lot more kind of gun play and stuff like that – wielding all kinds of crazy alien guns, and that was a mess. This time around a lot of the fighting was pretty gritty. A lot of handheld weapons and full on kind of fighting.
It actually made it a lot easier for me. First of all the crazy acrobatic stuff that you see I start and finish, and then Heidi does ridiculous things with her body that I could never do. Even if it was my job. She’s amazing. She deserves most, most of the credit. A very brave and very inspiring person. I just basically wound myself trying to emulate whatever she does. I want to be involved as I can. And the stunt guys let me do it because they’re nuts. [LAUGHTER] There’s a big insurance policy on the film.
Q: Tell us about the Black Widow costume.
Scarlett: The Widow costume is, I have to say, is probably the most comfortable of the superhero suits because it doesn’t require a built-in air conditioning unit, like Hemsworth does (referring to the movie Thor). I don’t have under armor. I don’t have a huge leather cape, headdress, whatever, all that stuff. It’s pretty straight forward. It’s kinda like a wet suit actually. Sort of this one piece. I’m always amazed when it goes on and zips up. I’m like, wow – it’s on.
It’s totally empowering because once you get the belt, gloves, bracelets, guns and the boots it looks great. It’s badass, It sells it. It’s kind of a superhero thing. It changes the way you stand. It changes your posture. You’re more aware of your body, obviously. I’ve grown to love it. First I was terrified of it. And now I embrace it because it embraces me, actually.
I work hard to get into it and I’m proud to wear it. It’s fun. Kids love it which is great because it looks very superhero-esque. It’s kind of utilitarian but it’s got the feminine thing going to it. It’s fun for them to have that to put on as opposed to like the tiny little skirt. [LAUGHTER] A little cover-up with a tutu, stuff like that.
When I say Scarlett Johansson’s character, “Black Widow”/ Natasha kicks butt in this movie, I’m not kidding. Check out this brief clip staring Scarlett’s character from the film, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Not only does she kick butt she still has a very feminine quality about her.
I sure wouldn’t want to get on her bad side. LOL!
Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens in theaters tomorrow, April 4, 2014.
You can check out the film’s official Facebook page as well as the Twitter page.
Do you plan on seeing the film? Who is your favorite superhero and/or Marvel character and why? I always love to hear from my readers.
Kimberly
*I was not compensated for this post. I attended a press junket in order to participate in this interview. My travel expense were provided for.
