Now that the Black Widow movie poster has been revealed, it finally feels like we're in full-on hype mode. Not only that, but we also have a release date, (nearly) full cast list, plus a host of other rumours and whispers about Scarlett Johansson's shadowy former S.H.I.E.L.D agent and her first standalone film.

1. Black Widow Movie Wikipedia

The Black Widow movie is going to kick off Marvel Phase 4, so it's only right that we cover it in some style. Below, you'll find everything you need to know about the Black Widow movie, including trailer descriptions, quotes from San Diego Comic-Con's big reveal, and even where the prequel falls on the timeline.

Directed by Mark Roemmich. With Jack Scalia, Jennifer O'Dell, Christopher McDonald, Joanna Pacula. Sean McMurphy, a wealthy entrepreneur, meets a very beautiful woman and a passionate love affair ignites but soon it unfolds into a dark suspense/thriller where everyone around him gets seduced into her dark web of lies, torture and deceit.

As ever with Natasha Romanoff, you can't turn your back for a minute. Keep checking back - this page is updated early and often; it's packed with the latest Black Widow movie news, right up until D23. So, come on: it's time to see why a certain someone has so much red on her ledger.

Fast Facts:

• Black Widow movie release date: May 1, 2020
• Black Widow movie cast: Scarlett Johansson, Rachel Weisz, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Ray Winstone, O.T. Fagbenle
• Black Widow movie director: Cate Shortland
• Black Widow movie writer: Ned Benson

Black Widow movie release date

Less than a year to go now. The Black Widow movie release date is set for May 1, 2020. Announced as part of a heaving slate of upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe entries at San Diego Comic-Con 2019 (SDCC 2019), the movie will kick off Marvel Phase 4.

With the movie already midway through filming, it’s hardly a surprise that Marvel chose the Black Widow movie as next in line considering how Spider-Man: Far From Home ended Phase 3 in such devastating fashion.

Black Widow movie cast

Scarlett Johansson, inevitably, is back at Natasha Romanoff. After all, how could it be a Black Widow movie without her? But she isn’t coming alone.

Joining her in the Black Widow movie cast is Midsommar lead Florence Pugh as Yelena, another member of the Black Widow training program. Pugh describes her character as “like a sister” to Natasha, though, as we’ll soon discover, there’s plenty of bad blood between the two.

Rachel Weisz, meanwhile, is yet another new Black Widow on the block. She told IGN: “I’m a Black Widow… There’s quite a lot of other characters that you’ll meet who are also Black Widows.”

Perhaps the hottest commodity joining the cast is Stranger Things’ David Harbour. Here, though, he’s switching his police hat for a big-ass shield as he’ll be playing Alexi, otherwise known in the comics as the Red Guardian.

As for the main villain of the piece: the Taskmaster is in the movie. No word on casting yet, though it’s been revealed that Natasha will be facing off against the villain who recently made an (irritating) series of appearances in the Spider-Man PS4 game.

Elsewhere, Variety is reporting that British acting legend Ray Winstone has signed on to play an unnamed role in the movie, while THR says O.T. Fagbenle, of The Handmaid’s Tale fame, is also appearing in the Black Widow movie.

Black Widow movie trailer

There’s been no sighting of a Black Widow movie trailer out in the wild just yet. Those in attendance at Marvel’s Hall H panel during SDCC 2019, however, got a sneak peek at some footage which may or may not make it into a future trailer.

In it, Romanoff and Pugh’s character, Yelena, are seen fighting in Budapest. They use everything at their disposal (even a literal kitchen sink) but the scrap ends in a stalemate. The short clip ends with a car chase and Black Widow crashing. She is met by Harbours’ Alexi, who blocks her rapid-fire gunshots with a shield.

With the Black Widow movie already shooting, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a trailer before the end of the year, especially if Marvel is already confident enough to show footage just weeks after production commenced.

Black Widow movie plot: is it a prequel?

First thing’s first: the Black Widow movie is a prequel. Yes, it had been rumoured for some time – including a rogue piece of product placement helping piece together the clues – but now it’s official thanks to David Harbour’s interview with IGN. He told the publication that it’s being set in the gap between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War on the Marvel timeline.

So, what can we expect from the Black Widow movie plot? Exact story details haven’t been revealed but, in terms of character details, we’ve got a few choice quotes about Natasha Romanoff’s arc in the movie.

Director Cate Shortland says that “[Black Widow] gets to put all the pieces of herself back together,” while Scarlett Johansson says she’s going to play “Natasha as a fully-realised woman… and I’m excited for fans to see the flawed side of her.”

As recently revealed in a THR profile of Johansson, the actress says that 'The movie packs a big punch.' She's also involved in tweaking the script in her role as executive producer, revealing that it makes her feel as if she's 'in control of the destiny of this film, which gives me a lot more peace of mind.'

The Black Widow movie poster has been revealed

BLACK WIDOW!!! Official D23 poster I had the honor of painting. She’s very near & dear to me since it’s the gazillionth time I’ve concept designed/painted her. What a cast & crew! #BlackWidow @MarvelStudios #ScarlettJohansson @Florence_Pugh @DavidKHarbour #RachelWeisz @DisneyD23 pic.twitter.com/fxMOI4fJ5RAugust 25, 2019

Black Widow Movie Wikipedia

The very first Black Widow movie poster has been revealed. Post-D23, Marvel Studios' director of visual development, Andy Park, unveiled the artwork, showcasing a look not only at the titular agent, but also her supporting cast.

Fusing together the character's two characters black (of course) and red (still on her ledger, lest we forget), the Black Widow posters shows Natasha Romanoff clad in a slightly new suit to the one we're accustomed to seeing from here. The yellow trim and belt looks, if anything, a little too flamboyant for the punch first, ask questions later Black Widow.

There's also a look at the designs of David Harbour's Red Guardian, as well as showcasing Rachel Weisz's Black Widow character, plus Florence Pugh's Yelena. Take a look at it above in more detail.

Black Widow movie director: who is Cate Shortland?

Despite being officially revealed at SDCC, the Black Widow movie director has been known for a while. THR reported studio executives met with more than 70 potential directors for the flick, with Cate Shortland ultimately getting the big gig – the first woman to helm a Marvel movie solo, after Anna Boden directed Captain Marvel with Ryan Fleck.

Shortland made her name with a succession of short films in her homeland of Australia before the 2004 release of Somersault, her first feature. She’s best known for Lore, a 2012 historical drama where a Nazi family seek to evade Allied forces at the end of World War 2.

Potential directors who lost out to Shortland include Amma Asante (Belle, A United Kingdom), Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry, Carrie) and Maggie Betts (Novitiate).

Meanwhile, Collider reports that the Black Widow movie writer is Ned Benson, most famous for his work on The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby. The role originally went to Jac Schaeffer (The Hustle), but apparently Benson has been commissioned for a significant rewrite of Schaeffer’s script.