Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner May Return as Villains in MCU Phase 6

LOS ANGELES, Calif. u2014 Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner, who debuted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Black Widow and Hawkeye, respectively, may reunite as villains in Phase 6. Speculation has intensified following reports of Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans returning to the franchise, with fan art envisioning Johansson as the Red Widow and Renner as Ronin.

Johansson first appeared as Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, in 2010’s *Iron Man 2*, while Renner debuted as Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, in 2011’s *Thor*. The duo became fan favorites as founding members of the Avengers, but their partnership ended tragically in 2019’s *Avengers: Endgame*. Now, rumors suggest they could return as twisted versions of their characters in *Avengers: Doomsday*.

Neither Johansson nor Renner has been confirmed to reprise their roles, but the return of other original Avengers has fueled speculation. Fan artist arifinity has created striking concept art depicting the pair as villains, with Johansson as the Red Widow and Renner as Ronin, a darker version of Hawkeye. Another concept imagines them as HYDRA soldiers, aligning with recent theories about the multiverse’s possibilities.

“Seeing them as villains would be a brilliant development for the MCU,” said a source close to the franchise. “It would allow Marvel Studios to explore the multiverse in new ways and reunite the original Avengers cast for the first time since *Endgame*.”

Johansson’s potential return is notable given her legal dispute with Disney over the release of *Black Widow*. Renner, meanwhile, has been recovering from a snowplow accident in early 2023. Despite these challenges, fans are eager to see the duo back on screen.

The MCU’s Phase 6 is expected to expand the multiverse narrative, with *Avengers: Doomsday* serving as a potential centerpiece. The film could mark a reunion of the original Avengers, including Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Evans’ Captain America, as alternate versions of their characters.

Black Widow and Hawkeye’s shared history as assassins makes their transition to villainy a compelling storyline. Johansson could portray a version of Black Widow who never defected to the U.S., while Renner might reprise his role as Ronin, a ruthless vigilante introduced in *Avengers: Endgame*.

The MCU has not confirmed these developments, but the franchise continues to explore new directions. *Avengers: Doomsday* is slated for release in 2026, with filming expected to begin in 2025.