Black Widow was heavily sexualized in the Iron Man Era, feels Scarlett Johansson

Avengers actor Scarlett Johansson is headlining the Marvel movie Black Widow, playing the title character, reprising her superhero role across MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) movies. Looking back at her famous character (Black Widow a.k.a Natasha Romanoff), the actor believes that her character was heavily sexualised when she first debuted in an MCU movie (Iron Man 2) in 2016.

While promoting her forthcoming standalone Marvel film Black Widow, Johansson, in an interview with Collider, said, "While [the film] was really fun and had a lot of great moments in it, the character is so sexualized, you know? [She is] really talked about like she's a piece of something, like a possession or a thing or whatever - like a piece of ass, really. Maybe at that time that actually felt like a compliment. You know what I mean?"

"Because my thinking was different … My own self-worth was probably measured against that type of comment [but], like a lot of young women, you come into your own and you understand your own self-worth," she further added.

However, the actress revealed that her perception of Black Widow has changed over the years and even finds that the character is now part of a larger shift. "It's changing now. Now people, young girls, are getting a much more positive message. But it's been incredible to be a part of that shift and be able to come out the other side and be a part of that old story, but also progress. Evolve. I think it's pretty cool. It definitely has changed and I think part of that change ... is actually from me too," Johansson shared.

Black Widow is set to premiere on July 2, this year.