Scarlett Johansson, despite her $20 million paycheck, still cannot beat one actress in the MCU in terms of net worth.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson is one of the highest-paid actresses in the industry, especially after the paycheck that she received from Marvel Studios for playing Black Widow. However, it turns out, even after getting her own solo film after the paycheck that she received for her work in The Avengers films, there is one actress that eclipses her net worth big time.

Scarlett Johansson in Lucy || Credit: Universal Pictures Scarlett Johansson in Lucy || Credit: Universal Pictures

Scarlett Johansson was one of the core members of the Avengers, and all the actors that were part of the franchise have received some big paychecks for all their contributions to the MCU. However, the actress with the highest net worth in the the MCU didn’t even get to be a part of the action in earnest, until Avengers: Endgame.

Despite Scarlett Johansson’s $20 million payout, Gwyneth Paltrow remains the richest MCU actress

Paltrow in Avengers: EndgameGwyneth Paltrow in Avengers: Endgame || Credit: Marvel Studios

Having been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the very beginning, Gwyneth Paltrow is more than just an actress. A successful businesswoman, Paltrow has a net worth of about $200 million, as compared to Scarlett Johansson, who has a net worth of about $165 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth.

Scarlett Johansson made her MCU debut as Black Widow in Iron Man 2, a role she carried over exclusively to Avengers films going forward until she received her own solo film, which Disney released in theatres and on streaming simultaneously, for which she received $20 million (via Style).

Paltrow made her debut in Iron Man, the progenitor of the entire MCU, and has since been an important part of the franchise, at least in the Infinity Saga. Paltrow has yet to make an appearance in the Multiverse Saga and is expected to make an appearance in Armor Wars, with her Rescue Armor, but there is no official confirmation of that.

Is Scarlett Johansson on her way back to the MCU?

Scarlett Johansson Scarlett Johansson in Black Widow || Credit: Marvel Studios
Despite having had her last appearance in 2021’s Black Widow, and being dead in the narrative of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Scarlett Johansson is an executive producer on Thunderbolts*. While it could mean that she has some creative say when it comes to leveraging any characters named Black Widow in the MCU, it could also mean that the actress might be returning to the MCU in some capacity, thanks to the film.

Given that there are rumors that films that are not contributing to wrapping up the Multiverse Saga are being pushed out of MCU’s upcoming slate, it is possible that the Thunderbolts* has some multiversal plot lines, if nowhere else, then towards the end. Audiences know that Black Widows (in the form of at least one character) are going to play an integral part in Captain America: Brave New World, which could directly lead to the Thunderbolts*.

Further, there is the possibility that the Thunderbolts* will finally introduce clones to the mainline MCU, having Scarlett Johansson play a version of Widow who has become active after the first Natasha Romanoff died.

Thunderbolts* will hit theatres on 2nd May, 2025.