Black Widow Theory: What Captain America’s Role Can Be

Chris Evans' role in the MCU seemingly ended in Avengers: Endgame, but there's an interesting way Captain America could still have a role in Black Widow. A decade after the character's debut in Jon Favreau's Iron Man 2, the long-overdue solo film of Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff is happening. While it's taking a little while longer than initially anticipated due to the coronavirus pandemic, the character will finally be able to spearhead a solo adventure she's deserved. Directed by Cate Shortland, the film will be set in the two years between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War - meaning, regardless of what happened in Avengers: Endgame, her fellow Avengers can still factor in the narrative, including Steve Rogers.

Since meeting each other at the beginning of 2012's The Avengers, Natasha and Steve had developed a special bond different from their respective dynamic from the rest of the group. Black Widow was involved in Captain America's last two solo films, and while she initially sided with Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) over the Sokovia Accords, she ultimately changed her stance, switched sides, and joined Team Cap. They also maintained their friendship in the five-year time gap after their defeat to Thanos in Infinity War, further establishing their bond not just as fellow Avengers but genuine friends.

With Nat providing Steve back-up in his final two solo adventures, it makes sense that somehow the Super Soldier factored in the upcoming Marvel standalone film. Here's how Captain America can be involved in Black Widow.

Where Captain America During The Events of Black Widow

Marvel Studios worked around Nat's death in Endgame by setting Black Widow between Civil War and Infinity War which was around two years. At this point, Captain America and all the heroes associated with him who refused to sign the Sokovia Accords were scattered all over after the Super Soldier jailbroke the rest of his team at the end of the movie. Clint Barton/Hawkeye and Scott Lang/Ant-Man opted to stay behind to strike a house arrest deal with the government to be with their respective families.

Meanwhile, Steve first dropped off Bucky (Sebastian Stan) in Wakanda to continue his rehabilitation before fully going underground with Sam Wilson/Falcon and Wanda/Scarlet Witch. As revealed in the Infinity War Prelude #1 comic, the Super Soldier kept himself busy in the two years before Thanos (Josh Brolin) coming to Earth for the Infinity Stones by assuming his "Nomad" identity from the comics and operating underground while the government continued their search for him and his allies.

Black Widow Will Re-join Captain America By The End Of (Or After) Her Movie

It's worth noting, however, that while Nat ultimately sided with Steve during Captain America: Civil War, she didn't immediately join him. By Infinity War, however, Black Widow was already with Falcon and Captain America as they became MCU's version of The Secret Avengers on the big screen without showing how and when they got together. This means that sometime after the 2016 film ended, Nat contacted Steve to join them - something that the upcoming Marvel Studios standalone movie can shed a light on.

When exactly Nat joins Steve and the rest of Team Cap is the question. Since she was still sporting her natural red hair during Black Widow, it's safe to say that Nat reunites with her fellow Avengers following the events of her film. Depending on whether or not she immediately contacts Captain America after taking care of her personal mission is unknown. Perhaps she goes on to spend more time with her Russian family for a little breather, otherwise, she could've sought them right away once she's dealt with Taskmaster and the threat the villain posed.

How Captain America Can Feature In Black Widow

While trailers for the Black Widow sell the idea that it will be separated from the bigger MCU lore, chances are there will be references to the universe, not to mention her fellow heroes peppered throughout the movie. There's an emphasis on David Harbour's Alexei Shostakov aka Red Guardian, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff being Natasha's family before she found another one since becoming an Avengers. Talking about Nat's fellow Earth's Mightiest Heroes is inevitable as a way to juxtapose her old and new families. That said, while Nat has a longer and more personal friendship with Hawkeye and an almost romance with Bruce Banner/Hulk, Captain America will be more intricately linked to the film because of Alexei. In the comic books, the Red Guardian is the Russian equivalent of the Star-Spangled Avenger. Marvel Studios' take on the hero is inspired by this with Harbour revealing that his Black Widow character "was the Captain America of his day for Russia."

Aside from references to Captain America in Black Widow, the character could also be directly involved in the narrative if it reveals how Nat joins him in hiding. Seeing her make the call to Captain America wishing to join them would be a nifty wat to connect the events of Captain America: Civil War and Infinity War via the upcoming Marvel standalone. Perhaps, the movie can even feature a small cameo from Steve, even if it's just his voice as he and Nat come up with a plan to meet.

Why Captain America Probably Won't Appear In Black Widow

Avengers Infinity War Captain America Black Widow

A full cameo from Captain America is possible without creating any continuity issue in the franchise given where Black Widow fits in the timeline, and it would be a nice surprise for fans, especially those who miss Evans and the character in the franchise. Recently, even Evans admitted that he already misses playing Captain America.

That said, bringing back Steve following Avengers: Endgame isn't the best idea and Marvel Studios knows that. As exciting as it will be to see Captain America back in the MCU through Black Widow, there's a very slim chance he will make a physical appearance in the movie. Marvel Studios is moving away from the events of the Infinity Saga and onto Phase 4, and seeing someone who embodies MCU's first three Phases back would only hamper their efforts to move on to a new chapter in their storytelling. It would also cheapen the otherwise great send-off Captain America had in Endgame in exchange for a brief cameo that doesn't really mean anything in the future other than being a gesture of fan service.

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