MCU superstars Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo, during intimate moments shared between their respective characters within the franchise, displayed an on-screen chemistry that was enjoyed by many fans. While the exploration of the fictional relationship portrayed by the two was never thorough or elaborate, it remained an important aspect in one particular movie—Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Just a year before the release of her character’s solo feature film, the 38-year-old actress, who has had ample experience playing Black Widow throughout her run in the franchise, opened up to Entertainment Weekly about her character’s depiction within the movies. Offering tidbits on various iconic scenes, the actress discussed the intricacies of Natasha Romanoff in every MCU movie she starred in.
Scarlett Johansson Reflects On Avengers: Age of Ultron
Detailing her working experience with Mark Ruffalo, who played the role of Bruce Banner/Hulk, Scarlett Johansson had an interesting fact to share about one of the scenes—a particularly vulnerable scene for her MCU character. This is the moment in the Age of Ultron where Natasha Romanoff was seen embracing a moment of intimacy and openness with Bruce Banner. An attempt at having the characters’ walls broken down.
The scene shows Natasha and Bruce talking about the future—whatever possible future the world could offer them—and the latter, who expressed uncertainty, claimed that there’s “no future” with him. He then admitted that he couldn’t have kids, as it was physically impossible for him to. To this, Natasha replied with an answer similar to his—that she couldn’t either.
She elaborated by detailing the practices that would take prevalence in the Red Room, where she was raised. Forced sterilization was one of the many tortures that were inflicted upon her. The scene strikes up a sentimental response in the viewers as this marks one of the instances for Johansson’s character where she could let her guard down and be visibly (and emotionally) transparent with someone.
Working With Mark Ruffalo Made Things Easier For Scarlett Johansson
In the discussion with Entertainment Weekly, Johansson provided some behind-the-scene information concerning the aforementioned scene. The 2015 film, which amassed $1.4B at the box office, allowed the Lost in Translation actress to work effectively with Mark Ruffalo, who happened to be a very “open” co-star. The two shared an undeniably romantic chemistry in the film, which couldn’t have been possible without Ruffalo, who, as per the claims of the actress, was a “wonderful scene partner.”
Following was Johansson’s statement:
“If I had to be vulnerable with any one of those actors, you know, Mark [Ruffalo] is such a wonderful scene partner to do that with, because he is so open himself.”
With a note of levity, the Black Widow talent further emphasized how the scene where Natasha was talking about forced sterilization became an ironic moment as the actress was pregnant in real life at that point in time. She recalls how the scene pushed Mark Ruffalo into having to “suspend his disbelief.”
Following is what she told EW:
“[The scene was] ironic, because I was also really pregnant at the time when we were shooting it. So, I guess Mark had to really suspend his disbelief because it was just below here—was this giant pregnant belly.”
Albeit the hilarious nature of the anecdote, it is evident from her statements that co-star Mark Ruffalo is an exuberant talent who knows exactly how to depict his character in the franchise—even when it comes to challenging, intimate, or vulnerable scenes. Alongside the uber-talented and exceptional Johansson, the two make an excellent on-screen duo.
It’s a shame that the fictional relationship between Natasha and Bruce never quite made the mark and eventually fizzled out, seemingly forgotten in the movies that followed post the 2015 endeavor.
Avengers: Age of Ultron is available for streaming on Disney+.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
