Scarlett Johansson Talks Hyper Sexualization Of Black Widow

In an interview from the set of Black Widow, Scarlet Johansson says she feels Black Widow was hyper sexualized when she debuted in 2010's Iron Man 2.

Johansson told Collider that her character Natasha Romanov AKA Black Widow was "talked about like she’s a piece of something, like a possession or a thing or whatever — like a piece of a--, really." Johansson said that Tony Stark "even refers to her as something like that at one point. What does he say? 'I want some.' Yeah and at one point calls her a piece of meat and maybe at that time that actually felt like a compliment. You know what I mean? Because my thinking was different."

36-year-old Johansson had a daughter since Iron Man 2 and said her life has changed, having "a much different, more evolved understanding of myself. As a woman, I’m in a different place in my life, you know?" All of that moved her away from "the kind of hypersexualization of this character."

The actress said that a lot of young women today are coming into their own and understanding of their own self-worth. "It’s changing now," she said, "Now people, young girls, are getting a much more positive message, but it’s been incredible to be a part of that shift and be able to come out the other side and be a part of that old story, but also progress. Evolve. I think it’s pretty cool."

Black Widow is set for release in theaters July 9 and on Disney Plus with Premier Access, which means that you can watch the film on the streaming service by paying extra, as was the case with Raya and the Last Dragon and Mulan.

Watch the trailer for Black Widow below: