MCU Theory: Will The Black Widow Prequel Introduce A New Version Of The Character?

4. What We Know About The Story So Far

Given previous reports (as well as the more obvious evidence provided in Avengers: Endgame), Black Widow looks nailed on to be a prequel. It could feature non-linear elements to tie things into the present, but this is still Natasha's story, and needs to be about her and her alone, especially after Endgame took only tentative steps to reflect on the character's passing.

According to reports, the film will be set in the early 2000s, years before Romanoff would join S.H.I.E.L.D. and be assigned to keep tabs on Tony Stark in Iron Man 2. That's... literally it, so far, but the castings of Pugh, David Harbour and potentially Rachel Weisz all intimate that we're in for something different, and unlike what we've come to expect from the series so far.

'Distinctly different' was the promise made for Phase Four, and though the MCU has featured two prequels now, Black Widow is set to be a proper espionage thriller. With THR having said that Nat will come up against her "moral opposite", there's potential the film ventures into darker territory, although of course without sacrificing the standard PG-13 rating Marvel have become so accustomed to.

Whatever the tone, or the story, Black Widow will have to tie into the present as well as the past. There is a legacy to reiterate here now, and out of the two other female co-leads cast so far, Weisz seems the more likely to be the antagonist. Harbour could be set to portray Weeping Lion (a principle enemy in Mark Waid and Chris Samnee's Black Widow comic), but while those are likely to make their one and only MCU appearance in Black Widow, Pugh is a rising star, and one Marvel would be wise to retain for the foreseeable future.

Apart from that, there have been rumours that the Winter Soldier could be involved too. We know the pair had history together before the second Captain America film ("bye bye bikinis"), and given Bucky's involvement with Russian intelligence and Hydra, it's certainly possible Sebastian Stan could feature.