Scarlett Johannsson discusses Black Widow

[The Mirrorball Man]

For me, it's just a matter of her not being a miserable emo like so many other prominent Marvel superheroines. She had her problems a long time ago now, but unlike Rogue, Spider-Woman, Jean Grey etc it's not always some big drama with her. She wants not just to be a superheroine but the world's best superheroine.

So basically she's ambitious and well-adjusted? It's fine, I mean don't get me wrong, it's a good start, but considering that the character has been around for more than twenty years now it's not exactly impressive, is it?

A standalone lead character needs a strong identity, a distinctive voice, a set of easily identifiable themes attached to him or her, in other words a stronger focus than what we're getting from Ms. Marvel.

What makes her tick? What kind of stories can you tell with her? Would the character work if she didn't have superpowers? I'm not convinced that there's any satisfying answer to those questions.

 

[Bad Bishop]

Run. Run now.

I'd rather stay here and talk about it, if you don't mind. What is it about Ms. Marvel that makes her a unique and compelling character?

Brian Reed's run on her book has made her one of the more interesting characters in the Marvel Universe. With her leadership of the Mighty Avengers and prominent roles in recent major crossovers, she is possibly the most important female character Marvel have right now.

Do you consider Ms. Marvel to be Marvel's answer to Wonder Woman today? To me it's odd that no Marvel superheroine has ever risen to that position. All the major Marvel superheroines have been overshadowed by their respective teams (Fantastic Four, Avengers, X-Men).

 

[Hermiod]

^I would indeed, yes, and I think Marvel does too. I think someone at Marvel saw a gap in their lineup when they brought her solo title back, made her leader of the Avengers and since made her a very prominent enemy of Osborn's.

Oh, and she's in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, much to my relief.

 

[Nick Ryder]

Well I think in some ways... Jeri Ryan would be a pretty decent Ms. Marvel. She's tall, she's blonde, she's kinda well built, she's got that deep husky sexy voice so she could go from a girlish voice to a more husky voice when in costume. Plus she's used to wearing skin tight outfits and high heels

Plus Marvel Films has a tendency to take actors and actresses that people either wrote off or forgot about and make them popular again. I could see her very easily as Ms. Marvel.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Do you consider Ms. Marvel to be Marvel's answer to Wonder Woman today? To me it's odd that no Marvel superheroine has ever risen to that position. All the major Marvel superheroines have been overshadowed by their respective teams (Fantastic Four, Avengers, X-Men).

Wonder Woman's position is mostly due to DC marketing; she's never merited it based on actual sales.

 

[Bad Bishop]

Do you consider Ms. Marvel to be Marvel's answer to Wonder Woman today? To me it's odd that no Marvel superheroine has ever risen to that position. All the major Marvel superheroines have been overshadowed by their respective teams (Fantastic Four, Avengers, X-Men).

Wonder Woman's position is mostly due to DC marketing; she's never merited it based on actual sales.

Then hooray for DC's marketing department.

 

[the_wildcard]

Ryan Reynolds, you are one lucky man. And to think he was engaged to Alanis Morsette a couple of years ago!

 

[captcalhoun]

he definitely traded up then!

 

[theenglish]

Well I think in some ways... Jeri Ryan would be a pretty decent Ms. Marvel. She's tall, she's blonde, she's kinda well built, she's got that deep husky sexy voice so she could go from a girlish voice to a more husky voice when in costume. Plus she's used to wearing skin tight outfits and high heels

Plus Marvel Films has a tendency to take actors and actresses that people either wrote off or forgot about and make them popular again. I could see her very easily as Ms. Marvel.

I think she is a little too old for that role now. But based on the body type you are describing, I am willing to bet that there are a number of really talented actresses who cannot get movie roles because they are too built or tall who would be great in the role.

 

[JRS]

Nice interview I sincerely hope that the spin-off will happen
It would be nice to see a female main character in a comicbook film for once...

 

[The Badger]

It would be nice to see a female main character in a GOOD comicbook film for once...

Having seen Catwoman, Barb Wire and Electra, I took the liberty of amending your comment JRS!

 

[Greg Cox]

It would be nice to see a female main character in a GOOD comicbook film for once...

Having seen Catwoman, Barb Wire and Electra, I took the liberty of amending your comment JRS!

Don't forget TANK GIRL!

(On second thought, maybe you should . . . )