Is ‘Black Widow’ A Prequel? Kevin Feige Teases ‘Method To The Madness’

“Black Widow” is not a confirmed Marvel film—but with a set director, screenwriters and a Marvel cast and crew currently filming alongside Scarlett Johansson in Europe, it’s pretty obviously happening. The real question is if it’s a sequel or a prequel.

Knowing that Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige won’t confirm a “Black Widow” movie, iO9 decided to ask the executive producer about “potentially” going back in time and how seeing an origin story for a dead character could affect the Marvel Cinematic Universe moving forward.

“There’s a method to the madness,” Feige teased. “There’s always a method and doing things in an unexpected way is something we find fun. There are ways to do prequels that are less informative or answer questions you didn’t necessarily have, and then there are ways to do prequels where you learn all sorts of things you never knew before.”

Feige cited “Better Call Saul,” the “Breaking Bad” prequel series, as an example of a connected story that stands on its own.

Of course, this is all assuming the “Black Widow” standalone movie is a prequel. Rumors once indicated that the movie would center around a threat related to Y2K, setting the movie 20 years ago. However, set photos have surfaced that have fans wondering if the movie could take place closer to the present day.

Johansson was seen filming with a red wig as well as white earbuds and a smartphone in her hand, indicating that the movie might take place sometime before “Avengers: Infinity War” (where she was blonde).

After seeing photos from the Norway set with Johansson in a lake and on mountainous terrain similar to Vormir, where Natasha died, some even believe the “Black Widow” film might not be a prequel after all. Fans will have to wait to find out exactly when the movie takes place.

Though Marvel Studios haven’t confirmed anything, Cate Shortland is reportedly directing. David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Florence Pugh and O-T Fagbenle are said to round out the cast.

Fans will find out more about what’s next for Marvel Studios this summer. The company is expected to return to San Diego Comic-Con to reveal some secrets in Hall H in July. Disney’s D23 conference is in August, and there could be some big Marvel news out of the Anaheim, California, event as well.