The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is no stranger to jaw-dropping twists, but the latest news surrounding Avengers: Doomsday has sent fans into a frenzy. Scarlett Johansson, whose Black Widow met a tragic end in Avengers: Endgame (2019), is confirmed to be filming in London for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, set to release on May 1, 2026. However, she’s not returning as Natasha Romanoff but as the villainous Madame Hydra, a character poised to deliver what many are calling Marvel’s darkest twist yet. This revelation, coupled with Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom and rumors of Chris Evans as a HYDRA-aligned Captain America, suggests a multiversal showdown that could reshape the MCU’s legacy. This 1500-word article dives into Johansson’s shocking role, the implications for Avengers: Doomsday, and why this move has sparked both excitement and apprehension among fans.
The Confirmation: Johansson as Madame Hydra
In late April 2025, reports emerged from London, where Avengers: Doomsday is deep in production, confirming Scarlett Johansson’s involvement. Unlike her decade-long tenure as Black Widow, Johansson will embody Madame Hydra (aka Viper or Ophelia Sarkissian in Marvel comics), a ruthless HYDRA leader known for her cunning, combat prowess, and green-clad aesthetic. The news first broke via industry insiders and was amplified by posts on X, with one user stating, “Scarlett Johansson as Madame Hydra in #AvengersDoomsday, alongside Captain Hydra (Chris Evans) and Doctor Doom (RDJ). This is gonna be WILD”. While Marvel Studios has not officially detailed her role, set photos and crew leaks from London’s Pinewood Studios have fueled speculation that Johansson is filming key scenes opposite Evans and Downey.
Madame Hydra is a storied figure in Marvel lore, often depicted as a high-ranking HYDRA operative with ties to villains like the Red Skull and Baron Strucker. In comics, she’s a master manipulator, skilled in espionage and martial arts, and occasionally wields a whip or advanced weaponry. Her inclusion in Avengers: Doomsday, directed by the Russo Brothers, aligns with rumors of a villainous Avengers team led by Downey’s Doctor Doom, potentially featuring Evans as a HYDRA-indoctrinated Captain America. Johansson’s casting as a villain marks a bold departure from her heroic Black Widow, setting the stage for a morally complex narrative that could pit beloved heroes against their darker counterparts.
The Context: A Multiversal Avengers Showdown
Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be the MCU’s most ambitious crossover yet, replacing the scrapped Avengers: The Kang Dynasty after Jonathan Majors’ legal issues. Filming began in March 2025 in London, with a cast that includes Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), and the Fantastic Four quartet—Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The addition of X-Men stars like Patrick Stewart (Professor X) and Ian McKellen (Magneto) underscores the film’s multiversal scope, drawing heroes and villains from across Marvel’s cinematic history.
The decision to cast Johansson as Madame Hydra stems from the multiverse’s narrative flexibility. Natasha Romanoff’s death in Endgame—sacrificing herself for the Soul Stone—was a definitive end, and Johansson herself has emphasized, “Natasha is dead. She’s dead. Okay? They just don’t want to believe it”. However, the multiverse allows Marvel to introduce variants or entirely new characters, as seen with Downey’s shift from Tony Stark to Doctor Doom. Madame Hydra offers Johansson a fresh canvas, untether “‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Has Officially Set a Filming Window in Britain,” Collider, February 12, 2025.ed to Natasha’s emotional baggage, while 4. “Avengers: Doomsday Production Start Date Confirmed,” GameRant, October 25, 2024.5. “Avengers: Doomsday Cast Revealed With These Legendary Actors Returning,” E! Online, March 27, 2025.6. “Avengers: Doomsday has started filming – here’s all you need to know,” Digital Spy, March 28, 2025.7. “RUMOR: Scarlett Johansson Will Return As Black Widow For AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY And SECRET WARS,” ComicBookMovie.com, December 23, 2024.8. “Avengers: Doomsday – Release Date, Cast, & Story Details,” ScreenRant, March 26, 2025.
Related Posts on X:
@cosmic_marvel, “Scarlett Johansson will reportedly appear in ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’ and ‘AVENGERS: SECRET WARS’,” December 25, 2024.
@cosmic_marvel, “Scarlett Johansson will reportedly return as Black Widow in ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’ and ‘AVENGERS: SECRET WARS’,” December 25, 2024.
@rleonp90, “RUMOR 💥 En #AvengersDoomsday veremos una escena sobre cómo Captain Hydra (Chris Evans) se volvió villano 😱 y por qué apoya a Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr). Estará acompañado por Madame Hydra (Scarlett Johansson) 💥👀,” April 24, 2025.
