In a candid new interview, Scarlett Johansson has finally shared her thoughts on the Academy’s decision to snub Avengers: Endgame—the 2019 superhero epic that shattered box office records and concluded over a decade of Marvel storytelling.
The actress, who played Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow, opened up about the disappointment felt by both the cast and the fanbase when Endgame was largely ignored in major Oscar categories, despite being one of the most ambitious cinematic achievements in recent memory.
“It felt like the impossible movie,” Johansson said. “We pulled off something no one had ever attempted—22 films building up to one massive, emotional finale. And yet, the Oscars barely acknowledged it.”
While Avengers: Endgame did receive a nomination for Best Visual Effects, it was overlooked in categories like Best Picture, Directing, and Acting, despite its cultural impact and critical acclaim. Many fans and industry insiders had hoped the film would follow in the footsteps of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which won Best Picture in 2004 for a similarly monumental cinematic feat.
Johansson, who earned two Oscar nominations in 2020 (for Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit), admitted she was proud of the smaller, character-driven stories that received awards recognition, but felt superhero films still face an uphill battle with traditional institutions.
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“There’s a perception that if it’s a blockbuster or a comic book film, it can’t be art. But Endgame had real emotional depth—loss, sacrifice, closure. Those are the very things the Academy is supposed to honor.”
The actress also praised directors Joe and Anthony Russo for pulling off a balancing act that brought together more than 30 major characters in a cohesive, satisfying narrative.
“That movie was a miracle. We had to deliver for fans, honor years of storytelling, and give every character their moment. I don’t know if something like that will happen again in our lifetime.”
As superhero fatigue becomes a topic of discussion in Hollywood, Johansson’s remarks come at a time when many are reflecting on the legacy of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its place in film history. Her comments are likely to reignite the debate about the Academy’s treatment of genre films—and whether popular storytelling is being unfairly dismissed.
For Johansson, however, awards or not, Endgame will always hold a special place.
“The fans made that movie what it is. Their love, their tears in the theaters—that’s our award.”
While Johansson’s character met her fate in Endgame, the actress later reprised her role in the 2021 prequel Black Widow, a testament to the enduring connection she shares with her Marvel journey—and the fans who followed it.