The sexualization of Black Widow in Iron Man 2 has been a topic of scrutiny, and Scarlett Johansson has now shared that she had to assert herself during the making of Captain America: The Winter Soldier when presented with a sexy outfit. Marvel Studios’ VP of Production Victoria Alonso had previously expressed regret about the sexualized portrayal of Black Widow in Iron Man 2. However, the upcoming Black Widow movie will address the issue head-on and poke fun at the classic pose inspired by the male gaze. Johansson explained that when filming The Winter Soldier, she had to put her foot down over wearing a blonde wig and skimpy tennis whites, which was quickly removed from the script. While working with mostly male writers, Johansson acknowledged the growing cultural shift where audiences are more demanding for progressive representation. She also praised Mary Zophres, the costume designer who created an incredible look for Black Widow in Iron Man 2. Overall, the portrayal of Black Widow has improved in recent years, and Johansson’s insights provide an interesting perspective.