Black Widow may be the final appearance of Natasha Romanov in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Scarlett Johansson has had an incredible run as the character. She’s put in some truly memorable performances as the character and made a bit of movie history.

However, there are always plenty of actors and actresses who could have taken on the iconic roles in the MCU at some point or another; Black Widow actually had a number of people who could have taken on the part. Here are 10 actresses that could have portrayed Natasha in the MCU.

JESSICA BIEL

Jessica Biel is a pretty well-known name at this point and actually has a bit of an action career under her belt. She was up for the part of Black Widow at one stage, but clearly something didn’t resonate with the casting director.

Although her career has been successful since this time, it’s difficult to imagine what the part would have been like if Biel had actually taken it on. Biel would have been able to bring out some of the emotional levity, although perhaps at the cost of some of the more complex action sequences.

LUCY LIU

Lucy Liu is also no stranger to action films and likely would have been able to take on the physicality of the role pretty well. Marvel likes to cast actors and actresses who are either unknown or perhaps have a career that could be redefined by a role.

Liu would have made the most of the opportunity in this role and likely could have given us a really different take on the character. While her name has never been publicly floated, there could have always been a possibility of Marvel discussing the role with the star.

ANGELINA JOLIE

Angelina Jolie will be finally making her appearance in the MCU very soon, but she’s had a long career in both action and drama before this. Whether it was her gun-wielding roles as Lara Croft or Mrs. Smith, or perhaps some of her dramatic work, she was a prime candidate.

It’s unknown why Jolie was never cast in the role, but perhaps it was her who turned it down due to the fact that the MCU was only just getting started. Jolie is now already part of the Disney family due to her role as the mistress of evil, so it makes sense she’ll make her MCU debut.

MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL

Gyllenhaal’s brother, Jake, has now taken on the role of Mysterio in the MCU, after even being up for the role of Spider-Man in the past. However, Maggie Gyllenhaal has seemingly always stuck to a more dramatic side of the business.

While we have no doubt that her acting abilities would have completely reinvented some of Natasha’s scenes, we’re not sure if the action side of the role would have fit her. However, even though Black Widow wasn’t added to her resume, maybe a villainous role can be in the future.

JESSICA ALBA

Jessica Alba was a natural choice for the character. After playing the Marvel character, the Invisible Woman, Alba was a big action star of the early 2000s and indeed had a history with Marvel Comics. She would have been a great choice.

Alba has continued to show off an impressive career since then, although it is now slowing down somewhat. Perhaps casting Alba would have meant that Black Widow would have left the MCU a lot quicker.

GEMMA ARTETON

Gemma Arteon has a slow and steady career that has seen her in a number of action roles in the past. At Disney, she starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, who was playing the Prince of Persia.

Arteton would have been an up and coming star for the role and was even eyed for the part a few times. Perhaps Johansson’s star shined a bit brighter, or maybe Arteton simply couldn’t work it into her schedule.

NATALIE PORTMAN

Natalie Portman is of course known for her role in the MCU as Jane Foster and will be returning very soon to take on the part of the Mighty Thor. However, before joining that franchise, she was eyed to take on the Black Widow.

While this wouldn’t have matched the character long term, it makes sense why Marvel would want Portman in the part. Her career is incredibly impressive, and aside from DC, she’s actually starred in many major pop culture franchises.

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY

If Portman was considered for the role, then you have to assume that Keira Knightley would have also been and would have fitted in incredibly well. Knightley’s dramatic career is incredible.

However, she’s shown she can absolutely take on action roles as well and would have been a really unique choice for this role. It’s a shame that her name wasn’t pushed harder, as she would have been a great choice.

EMILY BLUNT

There’s a long history between Emily Blunt and the MCU. It seems that the executives would love for her to take on a Marvel role, but it’s taken a long time for her to find one. She was very nearly the Black Widow for Marvel.

However, scheduling conflicts meant she had to drop out of the running. Blunt would have been a perfect choice, but fans are now clamoring to see her as part of Marvel’s first family, the Fantastic Four.

RACHEL WEISZ

Rachel Weisz has been in the action scene for quite some time and clearly would have made an excellent Natasha Romanov. However, years down the line, she is finally entering the MCU.

Ironically she will now play a former Black Widow in the upcoming spin-off film. Weisz is the perfect choice to play Melina Vostokoff, and we’re glad she finally gets to show off her talents under the Marvel banner.