In the 2021 Marvel film, Black Widow, Florence Pugh‘s character, Yelena Belova, found her lost family. However, the post-credits scene fast-forwarded through the MCU timeline, showing Yelena visiting Natasha’s grave after her Endgame sacrifice. In a recent interview, Pugh discussed Yelena’s evolution after Black Widow, and how her character changed from the events of the film.

Yelena’s Change:

Pugh revealed in her interview that she knew that Yelena would be a “completely different person” if she were to return after Black Widow. She noted that Yelena’s storyline in the film centered around finding her family, and that the happy ending did not last long. Pugh also shared how Natasha’s Endgame sacrifice impacted Yelena’s character, and how she planned for Yelena’s reaction to the news.

The Freedom To Create:

Pugh discussed how she was given “the freedom to create a new character” with Yelena, and how Black Widow director Cate Shortland encouraged her to make the character “essentially whatever you want it to be.” Pugh expressed her excitement about being given the opportunity to continue the character in Hawkeye and beyond.

Yelena’s Capricious Character:

Pugh talked about Yelena’s capricious character, noting her “unexpected edge.” She also shared how her interactions with Kate Bishop in Hawkeye were intentional and how she wanted Yelena to be “a bit odd.”

Pugh confirmed that Yelena will return in 2024’s ensemble film, the Thunderbolts. Fans are eager to see how her character will evolve and how Pugh plans to portray her in the upcoming film.

Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Yelena Belova in the MCU has impressed fans and critics alike. Her ability to take the character through a complete arc in Black Widow and continue to develop her in Hawkeye has been remarkable. With Yelena’s return in Thunderbolts, fans are excited to see how Pugh will continue to evolve the character.