In Joss Whedon’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, there was a scene where the Black Widow jumps out of an Avengers Quinjet on a bike and chases Ultron, a deadly artificial intelligence in a vibranium body. What if we tell you that wasn’t Scarlett Johansson at all?
Joss Whedon had to film the stunt scene in a particular way, as Johansson couldn’t join the shoot because she was pregnant at the time. Johansson’s stunt double had to sport rubber Scarlett masks that were later replaced with the help of CGI and digital techniques.
Scarlett Johansson’s Body Double Had To Wear “Creepy” Masks
Heidi Moneymaker, who is Scarlett Johansson’s longtime stunt double, recalled her experience of wearing rubber Scarlett masks. She said that the masks replicated the actress’s face, even down to the most intricate details of her eyes.
Moneymaker said (via MCU: The Reigns of Marvel Studios):
“It looked exactly like her face, and it even had the whites of her eyes. It’s very creepy to look at somebody wearing that, because they have no facial expression at all, but then you just see this little piece of eye moving behind this thing.”
Besides, Joss Whedon employed conventional techniques such as close-up shots of Johansson’s face, makeup, and lighting to make sure her pregnancy was disguised. Johansson’s role in the film was vital, but she had to wear a suit that might have been uncomfortable to hide her baby bump.
Besides, the motorcycle drop, one of the most-hyped scenes in the Age of Ultron trailers, inspired two new lines of toy sets. Interestingly, one replaced Black Widow with Captain America, while the other featured Iron Man riding a motorcycle.
Joss Whedon’s First Avengers Film Changed MCU Forever
The Avengers was released in 2012, proving to be a pathbreaking film that not only brought together a legendary ensemble but also laid the groundwork for an entire cinematic universe. Among several factors that were responsible for the film’s success, one crucial moment changed the trajectory of the franchise forever: the introduction of Thanos at the end. And this idea wasn’t due to any insistence from the studio, but rather, it was Whedon’s sole idea.
Kevin Feige told Slash Film:
“I wanted to get cosmic and did with THOR and told him that we wanted it to be aliens, that a portal opens in New York and aliens poor out, because the cosmic cube opened a portal. Who they were, what they were, and how they interacted was all Joss and Joss is a huge fan of Thanos.”
Joss Whedon’s choice to feature Thanos in the post-credits scene of the Avengers proved to be a masterstroke. It gave birth to an iconic villain in the MCU and sparked enthusiasm among Marvel enthusiasts, laying the foundation for a new arc in the MCU.
