'Black Widow' trailer decoded: Who is Taskmaster and how is he copying the Avengers?

Along with David Harbour's Red Guardian, Taskmaster - Marvel's dreaded assassin will feature in the movie. Here is what fans need to know about the evil guy who is Natasha Romanoff going to take on.
Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to launch Phase 4 on May 1, 2020, with Scarlett Johansson's stand-alone flick 'Black Widow.' The franchise is set to honour the superspy (who laid down her life to save the world from Thanos in 'Avengers: End Game') with o
Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to launch Phase 4 on May 1, 2020, with Scarlett Johansson's stand-alone flick 'Black Widow.' The franchise is set to honour the superspy (who laid down her life to save the world from Thanos in 'Avengers: End Game') with o
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Taskmaster is a highly-skilled assassin who was born with “photographic memory” or “photographic reflexes” that allows him to mimic anyone he observes. In the comic storyline, he also likes to train others to be flawless fighters like himself, forcing governments to hire him at times for the greater good. This explains why the character is seen replicating the style and arsenal of multiple Avengers. (YouTube screengrab)
Taskmaster is a highly-skilled assassin who was born with “photographic memory” or “photographic reflexes” that allows him to mimic anyone he observes. In the comic storyline, he also likes to train others to be flawless fighters like himself, forcing governments to hire him at times for the greater good. This explains why the character is seen replicating the style and arsenal of multiple Avengers. (YouTube screengrab)
'They're fully conscious but no choices,' Yelena tells Natasha in the final trailer of the movie released on 9 March. Her statement is supported by a shot of a bunch of gun-wielding women -- most likely to be current cadets of the Red Room in action -- in stealth that has an eerie similarity with Natasha's fighting style. This is the finest way to introduce Taskmaster's ability to not only mimic superheroes but also train others to do the same! (YouTube screengrab)
'They're fully conscious but no choices,' Yelena tells Natasha in the final trailer of the movie released on 9 March. Her statement is supported by a shot of a bunch of gun-wielding women -- most likely to be current cadets of the Red Room in action -- in stealth that has an eerie similarity with Natasha's fighting style. This is the finest way to introduce Taskmaster's ability to not only mimic superheroes but also train others to do the same! (YouTube screengrab)
Taskmaster needn't essentially physically feel or see the person directly or copy his/her abilities. All he needs is a good, long look -- and this could be saved clips, hacked CCTV footages or even YouTube videos. The trailer shows Taskmaster watching Natasha in action (from Iron Man 2) to establish that the bad guy isn't new to her fighting style and has already learnt it. (YouTube screengrab)
Taskmaster needn't essentially physically feel or see the person directly or copy his/her abilities. All he needs is a good, long look -- and this could be saved clips, hacked CCTV footages or even YouTube videos. The trailer shows Taskmaster watching Natasha in action (from Iron Man 2) to establish that the bad guy isn't new to her fighting style and has already learnt it. (YouTube screengrab)
Taskmaster's birthname was Tony Masters, born to an ordinary family in Brooklyn. He used his photographic memory to become a star athlete during his formative years, before gradually becoming a nefarious hire-sword. In other Marvel storylines, the character didn’t possess this ability innately but rather injected a Nazi-era serum to boost muscle and memory potential. The shield he is seen using could be an adaptation of either Red Guardian or Captain America. (YouTube screengrab)
Taskmaster's birthname was Tony Masters, born to an ordinary family in Brooklyn. He used his photographic memory to become a star athlete during his formative years, before gradually becoming a nefarious hire-sword. In other Marvel storylines, the character didn’t possess this ability innately but rather injected a Nazi-era serum to boost muscle and memory potential. The shield he is seen using could be an adaptation of either Red Guardian or Captain America. (YouTube screengrab)
Close enough? (YouTube screengrab)
Close enough? (YouTube screengrab)
The character first appeared in The Avengers #195 (May 1980), created by writer David Michelinie and artist George Perez and got his full debut in the very next edition that came out in June 1980. (Photo courtesy: Marvel.com)
The character first appeared in The Avengers #195 (May 1980), created by writer David Michelinie and artist George Perez and got his full debut in the very next edition that came out in June 1980. (Photo courtesy: Marvel.com)
While the Avengers submitted themselves to safeguard the universe, Tony followed a considerably safer path by choosing to train criminals to become competent professionals. Despite his deadly arsenal and classy fighting skills, Taskmaster stays in the shadow and never engage the enemy unless necessary. (YouTube screengrab)
While the Avengers submitted themselves to safeguard the universe, Tony followed a considerably safer path by choosing to train criminals to become competent professionals. Despite his deadly arsenal and classy fighting skills, Taskmaster stays in the shadow and never engage the enemy unless necessary. (YouTube screengrab)
Taskmaster can not only call upon a particular character’s physical skills to fight them but can also predict what they’re going to do next.  No wonder the out of touch Red Guardian is having a tough time against him in both the trailers. (YouTube screengrab)
Taskmaster can not only call upon a particular character’s physical skills to fight them but can also predict what they’re going to do next. No wonder the out of touch Red Guardian is having a tough time against him in both the trailers. (YouTube screengrab)
The second trailer shows him employing sharp claws and a flying flip kick against the Soviet Captain America -- a clear adoptation of Black Panther's fighting style. Seems like he has been crawling all over Wakanda and the S.H.I.E.L.D base. (YouTube screengrab)
The second trailer shows him employing sharp claws and a flying flip kick against the Soviet Captain America -- a clear adoptation of Black Panther's fighting style. Seems like he has been crawling all over Wakanda and the S.H.I.E.L.D base. (YouTube screengrab)
'Taskmaster forver!' (YouTube screengrab)
'Taskmaster forver!' (YouTube screengrab)
The supervillian has a bow which he uses just like Natasha's best friend Clint Barton aka Hawk Eye. (YouTube screengrab)
The supervillian has a bow which he uses just like Natasha's best friend Clint Barton aka Hawk Eye. (YouTube screengrab)
'Doesn't matter what you did, or what you were. If you go out there, you fight, and you fight to kill. ' (YouTube screengrab)
'Doesn't matter what you did, or what you were. If you go out there, you fight, and you fight to kill. ' (YouTube screengrab)
But certian fan theories strongly questions Taskmaster being a man since the stroyline revolves around women of strenght and will power. Also, they suggest another ultimate bad guy behind Taskmaster as the character is known to do other people's messy works in the comics. Is that really the case? Only one way to find out... (YouTube screengrab)
But certian fan theories strongly questions Taskmaster being a man since the stroyline revolves around women of strenght and will power. Also, they suggest another ultimate bad guy behind Taskmaster as the character is known to do other people's messy works in the comics. Is that really the case? Only one way to find out... (YouTube screengrab)
'Black Widow' is scheduled to release in six languages (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada) in India. Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow might face a delay in its November release as Warner Bros. Studio is considering moving the release date to February 2021 given the pandemic. (YouTube screen grab)
'Black Widow' is scheduled to release in six languages (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada) in India. Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow might face a delay in its November release as Warner Bros. Studio is considering moving the release date to February 2021 given the pandemic. (YouTube screen grab)

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