4 more MCU characters who definitely won't be back in Phase Five

4. Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow

Scarlett Johansson's final appearance as Natasha Romanoff took place in the character's self-titled movie Black Widow. It was a long time coming and, even though it was a prequel to Avengers: Infinity War, it was a fitting send-off for the character which allowed us all to see her where she belonged: In the spotlight.

Natasha's sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame brought about the end of her story in the present day. During the five year Blip in which everyone had vanished, she led the Avengers and attempted to carry on the legacy of the fallen. But there was something missing for her, as she never got over the fact that her friends were gone. For her, sacrificing herself to bring them back was a worthy way to go out. And she was right.

We don't talk about Natasha's sacrifice enough, but it was a bittersweet end to her arc in the MCU. For that reason, we shouldn't expect to see her return in this phase, the next phase, or any other phase in the future. It would cheapen her sacrifice to bring her back in any capacity outside of a flashback cameo or an alternate version of herself. And in case you were thinking about ways it could happen, just remember that the people who sacrificed themselves to get the Soul Stone were the only ones who couldn't be brought back by the Infinity Stones. Their sacrifice is final.

Scarlett Johansson will return to produce a Marvel Studios movie at some point, but don't be expecting to see her in front of the camera.

That said, if Marvel Studios wanted to make another Black Widow prequel set between Infinity War and Endgame, we'd take it!