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After a series of delays, Marvel’s Black Widow is finally coming to theaters. Let’s take a look at the cast and characters from the MCU’s newest film.
Marvel Studios’ Black Widow will finally be released on July 9, 2021. After three delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, audiences will finally be able to watch the film in theaters and on Disney +’s Premier Access over a year after it was originally intended to release. It will serve as the first movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Four, and will be the first MCU film since 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Black Widow will be set after the events of 2016’s Captain America: Civil War and will delve more deeply into Natasha Romanoff’s history. While on the run from the government, Natasha will be forced to ally with a number of people from her past to investigate a dangerous conspiracy tied to the Black Widow program. Along with a number of new characters, the film will feature the returns of some familiar faces from the MCU. Here’s a guide to the main characters of Black Widow, and who will be playing them.
Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson)
While on the run from the government after the fracturing of the Avengers, Natasha Romanoff reunites with a group of spies from her past to investigate a dangerous conspiracy. In the process, she is forced to revisit traumatic but crucial parts of her history, including her Black Widow training in the KGB’s Red Room. Scarlett Johansson portrays Natasha for the ninth time, and also serves as an executive producer on the film. Outside of the MCU, Johansson is known for her appearances in such films as 2003’s Lost in Translation and 2013’s Under the Skin.
Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh)
Yelena Belova is the perfect counterpart to Natasha. The two share a sister-like bond and have similar skill sets due to being fellow graduates of the Red Room, but Yelena also blames Natasha for a life of torment. In the comic books, she becomes the second Black Widow, and director Cate Shortland has said that the film will pass the baton from Natasha to Yelena. She is portrayed by Academy Award-nominated actress Florence Pugh, best known for her role in 2019’s Midsommar. Pugh has already been confirmed to reprise her role in the upcoming Hawkeye Disney + series.
Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz)
Melina Vostokoff is a four-time graduate of the Black Widow program, who spent decades as one of the Red Room’s lead scientists. Having previously crossed paths with a young Natasha, Melina must decide where her loyalties lie when they meet again in the present day. In the comics, Melina is an armor-wearing mercenary known as the Iron Maiden. She is portrayed by Rachel Weisz, who won an Academy Award for her role in 2005’s The Constant Gardener and has also appeared in films such as 1999’s The Mummy.
Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour)
Alexei Shostakov is a retired super soldier who served as the Red Room’s version of Captain America during the Cold War. While he is very narcissistic and still considers himself a great hero, he also harbors quite a bit of insecurity and grief about his past actions. In the comics, Alexei Shostakov was the second version of Red Guardian, as well as Natasha’s ex-husband. He is played by David Harbour, who is best known for appearing in Netflix’s Stranger Things.
Rick Mason (O-T Fagbenle)
A former soldier turned international smuggler, Rick Mason is contacted by his old friend Natasha while she’s on the run. Despite the fact that they haven’t seen each other for years, the two have an unmistakable bond, and Mason understands Natasha in a way no one else does. In the comics, Rick Mason is a mercenary known as the Agent, and is the son of Spider-Man villain the Tinkerer. Mason is played by O-T Fagbenle, who is a main cast member of The Handmaid’s Tale and the creator and star of the series Maxxx.
Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt)
Secretary of State Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross makes his fifth appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Enforcing the Sokovia Accords, Ross and his men are hunting down Natasha to make her face justice for aiding Captain America and the Winter Soldier’s escape in Civil War. In the comics, Ross is a military general who is obsessed with the Hulk, and eventually transforms into the Red Hulk. William Hurt reprises his role of Ross, having first appeared as the character in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk.
Taskmaster
The film’s main villain is Taskmaster, a masked assassin who carries out missions on behalf of the Red Room. Taskmaster has photographic reflexes and is able to replicate the fighting styles of his enemies, forcing his foes to change up their tactics should they fight him more than once. His real identity is unknown. In the comics, Taskmaster (whose real identity is Tony Masters) is a mercenary who has worked for a number of villainous groups.
Dreykov (Ray Winstone)
General Dreykov is the leader of the Red Room and the man who oversaw the training of Natasha, Yelena and many other women. As Natasha closes in on Dreykov, seeking revenge for her tortured past, the general sends Taskmaster after her. Dreykov has not appeared in the comics, although he was previously mentioned in a conversation between Natasha and Loki in 2012’s The Avengers. He is portrayed by acclaimed actor Ray Winstone.
Directed by Cate Shortland, Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, O-T Fagbenle as Mason and Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff. The film arrives in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access July 9.
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