Marvel moves ahead with script for Scarlett Johansson-led Black Widow movie

Scarlett Johansson will play Black Widow in a standalone film. Photo / Supplied

After years of waiting, fans have finally gotten the news they've been hoping for: Marvel is moving ahead with a stand-alone Black Widow movie.

According to Variety, screenwriter Jac Schaeffer has been enlisted to work on the project, which will see Scarlett Johansson play the Black Widow (aka Natasha Romanoff) — a role she's brought to the big screen since 2010's Iron Man 2.

Romanoff was first introduced as a Russian spy, but has since defected to the United States, becoming an agent of the spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D and a member of the Avengers, a superhero team.

Scarlett Johansson will play Black Widow in a standalone film. Photo / Supplied

The film is still in "very early development," but appointing the scriptwriter is the latest evidence that the movie is still in progress.

Although Johansson has reprised the Black Widow role six times already — including in the Avengers movies, and most recently in 2016's Captain America: Civil War — this marks the character's first solo film.

The movie has been on the radar for Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and Johansson for some time, but has seemingly taken years to gain traction and move forward.

However, given the phenomenal success of Warner Bros. and DC Comics' blockbuster Wonder Woman last year, it's hardly surprising the project has been reinvigorated.

The Gal Gadot-led superhero film grossed $US770 million worldwide and has already been greenlit for a sequel.