Scarlett Johansson Criticizes Oscars for Overlooking ‘Avengers: Endgame’

As she prepares for her directorial debut at Cannes with Eleanor the Great, Johansson reflects on the Academy’s snub of the Marvel blockbuster and emphasizes the completion of her journey as Black Widow.

Scarlett Johansson has expressed her disappointment over the Academy Awards’ treatment of Avengers: Endgame, questioning why the film, despite its massive success and cinematic achievement, was only nominated for Best Visual Effects and not for Best Picture. In a recent Vanity Fair interview, she remarked, “How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar?”

Johansson highlighted that Endgame was an “impossible movie that really works as a film” and emphasized that its commercial success should not diminish its artistic value. She pointed out that while Marvel films have received several nominations, they are often confined to technical categories, with Black Panther being the sole exception to receive a Best Picture nod.

Reiterating her decision to leave the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Johansson stated that her character, Natasha Romanoff, had a complete story arc, and returning would not make sense for her or the fans. She expressed affection for her co-stars but affirmed that her journey with the character has concluded.

Looking ahead, Johansson is set to premiere her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20. The film stars June Squibb as a 90-year-old woman who forms an unexpected friendship with a 19-year-old student in New York City.

In addition to her directorial pursuits, Johansson will appear in upcoming films such as The Phoenician Scheme and Jurassic World: Rebirth, marking a new chapter in her diverse career.