The teaser trailer for Marvel's Black Widow sends Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff on a mission to confront her past, and introduces such Marvel Comics characters as Yelena Belova, the Red Guardian and Taskmaster. The footage also also formally debuts a striking new look for the super-spy -- a white tactical uniform. That, too, originates with the comics.
Although the costume appears only for a few seconds, it makes an impact, as Natasha drops from a helicopter onto a walkway and lands in her iconic pose. Much like all of Black Widow's costumes, this one is designed for combat. While black may be the character's signature color, the white one is intended to help her blend in with her surroundings. This mission takes place in broad daylight in a compound covered in snow; in a black costume, she would only stand out.
The new suit is therefore mission-focused -- much like it was in the comics.
Natasha Romanoff first wore a white costume in the 2009 miniseries Black Widow: Deadly Origin by Paul Cornell, Tom Raney and John Paul Leon. In the comic, which explored Natasha's origin, juxtaposed with events in the present, the super-spy fought a new, villainous organization hellbent on destroying not only her but also those close to her. The caper took Black Widow around the globe, but it was when she battled her new enemy in snowy Russia that Natasha wore her white suit.
While we don't expect Deadly Origin to be the basis of the film's story, the miniseries' influence is still felt in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Black Widow has worn many outfits, from her introduction in Iron Man 2 to her death in Avengers: Endgame. But while all of them have been iconic in their own right, the new white costume easily stands out.
Directed by Cate Shortland, Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson as Natasha, Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour as Alexei aka The Red Guardian and Rachel Weisz as Melina. The film opens May 1, 2020.