Marvel Is Back With First Black Widow (Prequel) Trailer

Before I get into it, let's take a look at the synopsis...

Marvel Studios' Black Widow is in theaters May 1, 2020.

Uh, okay, pretty vague.

For those wondering, this movie is set directly after 'Captain America: Civil War' with some flashbacks to how Natasha Romanoff became Black Widow (and hopefully an explanation for why she has no Russian accent... at all).

Part of the draw for Marvel movies is their connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 'Black Widow' has the unique distinction of being a prequel movie about a character who is...

…yeah, I mean, spoiler alert, she is dead as hell. Natasha isn't even "snappable" in terms of bringing people back, she is "dead dead."

I would be lying, even as a Marvel fanboy (and shill, according to some folks… waiting for my paycheck, Disney), if I told you I was super excited for this movie before seeing the trailer. But after watching the trailer, I think I am on board? The tone, the music and, of course, the cast…

…it all seems pretty fucking solid. (NOTE: Robert Downey Jr. is in the movie, but likely only in an old scene)

There are many folks saying "FIVE YEARS TOO LATE!" this morning, which is true, I guess? If you're talking about its place in the MCU then I understand. But if it is a good movie, who gives a shit?

While the greater plan of the MCU is important and fun to follow, a really killer spy-espionage standalone movie would be awesome to see. It might just be one trailer, but it looks like we might get that with 'Black Widow'.

Again, it helps a ton that the cast is full of studs across the board…

We also got a glimpse of the villain, Taskmaster…

Taskmaster injected himself with SS-Hauptsturmführer Horst Gorscht's primer, an elaborate modification of the adrenal steroid cortisol designed to unlock the mind's procedural memory potential. The Taskmaster thus gained the ability to absorb knowledge instantaneously. This ability is linked to his muscle memory, allowing the Taskmaster to instantly replicate the physical movement of peak-level humans. Using these "photographic reflexes", the Taskmaster is highly skilled in various forms of combat, as an exceptional martial artist (mimicking Elektra, Iron Fist, Shang-Chi), a skilled swordsman (Black Knight, Silver Samurai, Swordsman), a deadly accurate marksman (Captain America with a shield, Hawkeye with a bow and arrow, Punisher with firearms, and Bullseye with various projectiles) as well as displaying a strenuously honed athletic ability (Black Panther, Daredevil).

(Pretty cool power, to be honest…)

…and a look at William Hurt's General Thunderbolt Ross, who we last saw in 'Captain America: Civil War' and 'Avengers: Infinity War'.

He's very clearly de-aged for this movie and will likely play a role in the early stages of Natasha Romanoff's connection to the United States and S.H.I.E.L.D.

What did you think about the first 'Black Widow' trailer? The movie comes out on May 1st, 2020…