The United States of America and the Russian Federation may be a bit uncomfortably awkward around one another these days, but their superheroes sure aren't.
Avengers teammates Captain America (Steve Rogers) and Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) were photographed kissing one another during filming for Captain America: The Winter Soldier three months ago at Tower City Center in downtown Cleveland. In the comics, Black Widow has been romantically involved with other superheroes, including Hawkeye, Daredevil and the Winter Soldier, but this will be the first time fans will see the character in a relationship with Captain America.
ComingSoon asked actress Scarlett Johansson about the two characters during a press junket for her film Don Jon, mentioning that they share a couple of meaningful glances in the first Avengers film when Captain America is getting his tour of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrier and later after Captain America boosts Black Widow up onto a Chitauri vehicle.
ComingSoon.net: You said earlier this summer that in "Cap 2" your relationship with Steve Rogers gets more intense. I actually went back and watched "The Avengers" again and noticed these little glances that you and Chris give each other. It's so subtle, not something you would think about unless you knew something was brewing. Was that something that Joss had built in?
Scarlett Johansson: No, actually. Of course in "Avengers" particularly you start to see the relationships forming between these characters, and all of us have very specific relationships with one another. Of course we all know how we feel about one another. We work and all use each other in different ways. We all have very specific opinions about one another. I think that Joss laid the groundwork for a lot of interesting connections. That's why the audiences are so intrigued by that film because they love to see how these characters react to each other that come from completely different universes.
CS: It makes sense, because his character and your character are sort of the most grounded of the superheroes.
Johansson: It does make sense. The pairing is strange on paper, but you'll understand the pairing when you see "Cap 2" and of course Marvel's really good at noticing those connections too! They will continue to build on the different relationships that audiences connect to.
The official premise for Captain America: The Winter Soldier --
Following the events of The Avengers, Steve Rogers resides peacefully in Washington, D.C., struggling to adapt to contemporary society. However, after a S.H.I.E.L.D. compatriot is assailed, Steve becomes entangled in a mystery that may endanger the globe. Together with the Black Widow, Captain America attempts to uncover the growing machination while fending off hired hit men. When the entire scheme is discovered, Captain America and the Black Widow must recruit the aid of the Falcon and soon encounter an unanticipated and powerful adversary — the Winter Soldier.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier, starring Johansson, Chris Evans, Emily VanCamp, Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on April 4, 2014.