Marvel’s ‘Black Widow’ Was Originally a Stronger #MeToo Statement, Says Ray Winstone

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According to Ray Winstone, who portrayed Dreykov in “Black Widow”, Marvel significantly altered most aspects of his acting following reshoots. This implies that the initial version of the film had a far more ominous and disquieting tone compared to what was eventually released.

Winstone on His Original Dreykov Performance

At the Sarajevo Film Festival, Winstone shared that director Cate Shortland advocated for a chilling portrayal of Dreykov, the mastermind behind the Red Room operation responsible for producing the Black Widows.

I found him to be a man who seemed to charm numerous young ladies, and in return, they became as lethal and cunning as black widow spiders,” Winstone reminisced. “On set, our performances were often met with applause. It was an extraordinary experience that I consider one of my most memorable achievements.

But when Marvel decided to reshoot the film, everything changed.

The individual shared that he received a call requiring additional filming. He asked about the number of scenes to be reshot, to which he was told “all of them.” He suggested recasting the role since it was originally his, but due to contractual obligations, he had to comply. Upon returning, his hair was styled, he was dressed in a suit, but he found himself unable to perform as he had already completed the scenes.

He admitted he felt rejected by the changes.

It’s incredibly frustrating when I put effort into something, leave it somewhere only to be told later that it’s not quite up to par,” I admit.

A Different Vision of Black Widow

Earlier, Scarlett Johansson stated that the character of Black Widow was intended to reflect the spirit of the Time’s Up and #MeToo movements. Essentially, she described the movie as a feminist narrative, portraying a tale of women supporting one another in their struggle against exploitation.

Johansson stated that the movie appears to be a strong reflection of the Time’s Up and Me Too movements.

According to Winstone’s remarks, it appears that Johansson (the producer) and Shortland might have initially planned a version of the movie with a stronger emphasis on delivering a particular message. However, this may have been altered or modified by Marvel after they intervened to retouch and rework the storyline.

Marvel’s Sanitized Version?

In the ultimate version of “Black Widow,” Dreykov is portrayed as a cunning manipulator who indoctrinates and dominates women, reminiscent of Harvey Weinstein’s behavior (metaphorically speaking). However, David Winstone’s remarks hint that Marvel Studios might have softened their portrayal of the character and his misdeeds, with a possible original depiction being more intense.

For Winstone, the encounter turned out bitter: “I felt, ‘I won’t do it again. I’ve already done it. That seems to be how things are.’ That’s a form of rejection, you understand? It’s disheartening to put your work forward, only to have it rejected.

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2025-08-19 17:38