How The Black Widow Movie Is Avoiding Her Worst Comic Twist

The reveal that "Ivan" is Natasha Romanoff's father in Avengers: Endgame means that Marvel's Black Widow movie is avoiding the worst twist that ever occurred in Black Widow's comics. Aside from what is known about Black Widow's experience with the Red Room, not much has been said about Natasha's early life or her family. Avengers: Endgame, though, dropped a big clue when Red Skull identified her as the "daughter of Ivan".

Endgame never explained who Ivan is, but it's a good bet that this question will be answered in Black Widow, since it will be the first live-action Marvel project centered around the former Russian super spy. But while this person hasn't been revealed in the MCU, this character is likely its version of Ivan Petrovich. In the comic books, Ivan Petrovich was Natasha's chauffer, who first debuted in 1970. Ivan rescued her when she was just a child in World War II, and he's been in her life ever since, acting as sort of a father figure to her. In Black Widow's classic stories, she was often accompanied by Ivan, who provided advice and assistance when needed. Ivan was with her when she worked for the Russian government, and he was with her during her superhero career as well, back when she worked with Daredevil and the Champions.

Marvel may potentially adapt Ivan Petrovich to the MCU, but if that happens, it will be without a certain element to the character that was added in Black Widow: Deadly Origin. Marvel has already borrowed from Deadly Origin in some ways, but the main plot of the comic is sure to be avoided. It created an odd story for Black Widow, as it offered an unwelcome twist related to the character of Ivan Petrovich; Deadly Origin took Ivan, who was originally one of Black Widow's most trusted allies, and turned him into a villain. Not only that, but it was revealed that Ivan's protectiveness of Natasha wasn't fatherly at all. Instead, he had an unrequited, romantic interest in her.

Given that he had a bit of father-daughter relationship with Natasha, it came off as creepy and out-of-character to readers. When Natasha spurned Ivan's sudden advances, Ivan took a downward spiral and became a cyborg. He developed a plan to destroy the world, and had to be stopped by Black Widow. Fortunately, Black Widow won't be going in this direction if it uses Ivan Petrovich. By making "Ivan" her actual biological father rather than a father figure, Marvel prevented this aspect of Ivan's character from being used in the movie.

Black Widow: Deadly Origin ruined Ivan Petrovich, someone who was essentially Black Widow's version of Batman's Alfred Pennyworth. During the 1970s, he was a sympathetic, likable character who protected Black Widow like he would his own daughter. If Marvel's Black Widow finds a way to bring Ivan into the story - whether it be in a flashback or through some other means - hopefully he will be portrayed in an endearing way that's faithful to the original interpretation of Ivan.

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