Black Widow vs. COVID-19

By Zyiah Tyler, Staff Reporter

Courtesy of EMPIRE MAGAZINE

Marvel movies have been a huge source of entertainment for adults and children alike. Theaters would be packed on opening weekend of the newest addition to the largest cinematic universe. However, that joy and energy is gone due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, opening dates for highly anticipated movies like “Black Widow” and “Eternals’” have been pushed back. Many have speculated if “Black Widow” specifically will be a video on demand release on Disney+, but Disney announced the movie would be expected to release in theaters on May 1, 2021.

Several Disney+ shows and Marvel movies were announced at San Diego Comic Con in 2019 as a part of the newest marvel phase after the Infinity Saga. Marvel President Kevin Feige hosted Marvel Studios’ announcement presentation where he revealed the full slate of planned films for Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). “Black Widow,” “Eternals,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” “Thor: Love and Thunder,” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” are a few of the movies Feige announced at last year’s panel.

These movies have many people excited to see their favorite characters, and some new ones, back on the silver screen. While there are those who think the hype for “Black Widow” and other announced movies might disappoint the fans, there are some who disagree.

“I don’t think ‘Black Widow’ is overrated but I do think she is long overdue for her own movie,” senior Rene Conant said.

The Black Widow film is way overdue. Fans have been expecting this movie since 2012. The series of Avengers films have hinted at Natasha Romanoff’s past but have never gone into depth with it.

“She has such a rich backstory. We’ve hinted at it throughout all the other films. But we approach it in a completely unexpected way,” Feige said. “She’s been up to a lot all along – in between when we see her in the other movies – some of which will be surprising to people.”

“Black Widow” was expected to hit theaters on May 1, 2020, along with “Wonder Woman 1984.” Then, the big virus hit as the expected May date got closer. Disney made the decision to postpone the movie to a November release date. As the pandemic continued to worsen and November got closer, Marvel announced that the movie release would be delayed.

According to CNN, the delay of "Black Widow" starts a bit of a domino effect for the other films in the MCU with "Eternals" and "Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" also moving back.