How Scarlett Johansson Got Fit To Play Black Widow In Avengers: Endgame

Black Widow's Endgame poster

Avengers: Endgame has just reached one full week in theaters, and is making an insane amount of money both domestically and overseas. With so many characters turned to dust at the end of Infinity War, The Russo Brothers were able to take special care and give focus to the original members of the team. This includes Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, who made her whopping seventh appearance in the MCU (aside from a few cameos).

Natasha Romanoff had a very strong showing in Avengers: Endgame, with Scarlett Johansson bringing a layered performance to the OG female Avenger. Paying Black Widow requires plenty of action sequences and physical work for the actress, and now Johansson is revealing how she got into superhero shape for Endgame.

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Physical trainer Eric Johnson has been working with Scarlett Johansson since before she made her MCU debut as Black Widow in Iron Man 2. And now Johnson has spoken about the intense regiment he had the 34 year-old actress. Since ScarJo is playing someone larger than life, she had to train like a superhero. As Johnson puts it:

What is the Black Widow able to do? Lift 500 pounds. We're trying to create this crazy comic book hero in real life with somebody who's normal.

Well, that's certainly one way of looking at it. And while Scarlet Johansson wasn't expected to have the same physical capabilities and sharpshooting of Black Widow, there is a full body transformation that goes into inhabiting the character onscreen. And it's an intense one.

Eric Johnson and Scarlett Johansson spoke to THR about her physical journey toward becoming Black Widow, with the actress going so far as to call it "one of the best parts about working for Marvel." Giant blockbusters are a good reason to get healthy, and it seems like Johansson has welcomed the training she's gone through over the years.

In the expose, it was also revealed that Scarlett Johansson's fitness journey as Black Widow isn't about a number weight or body fat percentage. She's trying to become as strong as possible, and be able to roll with the punches and stunts that Natasha requires of her. And that comes with a ton of exercise and a strict meal plan. In fact, it's all in THR's article.

Related: The 25 Most Emotional Moments In Avengers: Endgame

The Black Widow diet is hardcore and includes some intermittent fasting. The food plan was laid out in full, including lots of lean protein and actually nothing fun. But Scarlett Johansson is also able to bring a physicality and presence in the role, which seems to be the goal for the actress and her trainer.

Smart money says Scarlett Johansson will continue collaborating with Eric Johnson, as she's set to produce and star in her own solo movie sometime in Phase Four. A cast has been assembled, and given the events of Endgame, the fandom will be eager to see what comes next for the fan favorite character.

You can catch Scarlett Johansson in Avengers: Endgame in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Corey Chichizola
Movies Editor

Corey was born and raised in New Jersey. Graduated with degrees theater and literature from Ramapo College of New Jersey. After working in administrative theater for a year in New York, he started as the Weekend Editor at CinemaBlend. He's since been able to work himself up to reviews, phoners, and press junkets-- and is now able to appear on camera with some of his favorite actors... just not as he would have predicted as a kid. He's particularly proud of covering horror franchises like Scream and Halloween, as well as movie musicals like West Side Story. Favorite interviews include Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more.