Saoirse Ronan Turned Down Black Widow Role In the MCU

Black Widow debuted concurrently in multiplexes and on Disney+'s brief "Premier Access" service, causing Scarlett Johansson to sue the company for lost profits. All things considered, the film was entertaining and featured a number of new characters, including Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, a Black Widow who appears destined to replace her sister in the MCU if Hawkeye and the upcoming Thunderbolts are any indication. However, Deadline's Justin Kroll reported that Marvel Studios was considering Pugh's Little Women co-star and four-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan for the role.

"The Saoirse thing, I’ve heard stuff she’s passed on. She passed on Florence’s role in 'Black Widow,' the sister," he revealed on The Town podcast. "Marvel has not been her cup of tea, and she was not interested."