Marvel artist shows off the original Black Widow concept art for Infinity War

Avengers: Infinity War was one of the most popular movies of…well, ever, actually, and it’s sequel — alternatively titled Avengers 4, Infinity War Part 2 or Avengers: Infinity War, Part 2: The Next One — is one of the most anticipated films of 2019. Enough time has now passed that Andy Park, the Senior Director of Visual Development for Marvel Studios, is now comfortable showing off some behind-the-scenes stuff, including his original concept art for Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson):

This was the approved #BlackWidow concept design I did for #AvengersInfinityWar. I guess they decided to get rid of the 🧣& the red hair :) It made sense since she’s in hiding. I can’t wait for you all to see her in Avengers: Whatever The Next Title Is! #ScarlettJohansson pic.twitter.com/c3HF0oWLEi
— Andy Park (@andyparkart) November 26, 2018

As you may recall, in Infinity War, Black Widow is blonde, since she’s in hiding from the government. Park’s rendering imagines Black Widow with her traditional red hair, as seen in movies like Iron Man 2 and the first two Avengers flicks:

Other than that, Black Widow’s outfit turned up in Infinity War pretty much as originally conceived, as a kind of camo soldier garb with an olive-toned overlay:

The one thing from Park’s design that didn’t make it into the movie, although I wish it had, is the kicky scarf. Because as every entertainment company knows, if you want to sell your character as hip and dangerous, all you need to do is add a scarf:

Why Sega handed Sonic over to Western studios and gave him a scarf http://t.co/Nk2Vr3cJfk pic.twitter.com/q3fEZcvvwp
— Polygon (@Polygon) February 7, 2014

I do actually like the scarf, though; it’d be nice to have a pop of red against the muted colors on the vest, although it doesn’t work quite as well if her hair isn’t also red. It’s about framing the face, people.

Anyway, in Avengers: Infinity War: Thanos Snaps Back, Black Widow probably won’t have to worry about the government coming after her, since they’ll presumably have their hands full dealing with the disappearance of half the people on the planet. Maybe we’ll see the red hair sneak back in.