Marvel’s Black Widow, which is scheduled to hit theaters some time in 2020, has officially moved into production. However, the film’s still very much an unknown quantity. More importantly, those in charge don’t seem to be in any hurry to elaborate on the specifics.
Even so, there’ve been several rumors surrounding the project. One frequently debated idea is that the action will take place between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, which is something of a gap in the MCU’s current timeline.
Then, there are some purporting that the first solo outing for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s original femme fatale will happen in an alternate universe and is a way to re-insert the character back into the series.
The most popular and prominent theory, though, posits that the movie will be another period piece and act as an origin story for the only female founding Avenger. Specifically, reports point to the 1990s for the timeframe, with the story possibly detailing Natasha’s first encounter with her future best friend, Clint Barton.
Now, more fuel has been added to the fire as recently released set photos which you can see here seemingly confirm that the film is set during the 90s. Interestingly, one pic features Scarlet Johansson standing next to a LADA Niva, a Russian model SUV. The particular model, the VAZ-2131, was only produced during the mid-90s.
This isn’t definitive proof, by any means, and any of the previously mentioned theories could end up being true. But, the fact that the such an era-specific vehicle is being used certainly does lend some credence to the rumors that Black Widow will take place, at least in part, during the 1990s.