Florence Pugh Fought to Keep Natasha and Yelena’s Emotional Storyline in Thunderbolts

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Florence Pugh explained that the movie ‘Black Widow’ follows a single narrative thread focusing on the complex relationships between Natasha, Yelena, and Alexei Shostakov. Additionally, Pugh discussed the development of Yelena’s character arc within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and how Natasha’s death will impact it going forward.

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I’m thrilled to share that Florence Pugh has confirmed Yelena and Natasha’s relationship will be explored further in Thunderbolts. During an interview with , she spilled the beans about their bond in Black Widow: “It’s crucial,” she emphasized. “I think it wouldn’t have rung true if Natasha hadn’t been vulnerable. To Yelena, Natasha was her hero, her idol – almost like a big sister.” In Black Widow, we bid farewell to the legendary Natasha Romanoff, but their relationship served as a poignant tribute to her legacy.

The thought that Natasha is no longer here and Yelena missed out on the relationship they rekindled in ‘Black Widow’? If I hadn’t had the chance to perform this scene, I would have been frustrated because it’s a matter of natural emotions,” Pugh expressed. “It’s crucial to let these characters be human. They must feel. And not only that, but the audience wouldn’t have approved otherwise.” In ‘Thunderbolts’, Alexei Shostakov (portrayed by David Harbour), who served as a father figure for both Yelena and Natasha, will also evoke emotional responses. Their reunion promises to be complex indeed.

Natasha’s Death Impacts Yelena and Alexei’s Arcs In Thunderbolts*

According to Pugh, she and Harbour aimed to create a specific aspect in the movie “Thunderbolts”. She explained that they had strongly advocated for this, as she put it. “It’s exactly what David and I couldn’t help but argue about since Natasha’s death,” she reminisced. “We can’t avoid discussing what has transpired between us since then. Despite our intentions to produce a film where viewers don’t have to watch all the earlier movies featuring these characters, we can’t achieve that.” The movie provides Yelena and Alexei an opportunity for growth, and with Pugh and Harbour set to reprise their roles in “Avengers: Doomsday”, fans can only speculate whether their characters have found resolution (or reconciled) by then.

In simpler terms,

Yelena and Alexei’s frequent disagreements made their characters stand out. Dealing with Natasha’s death helped make them seem real and understandable to viewers. As Florence Pugh explained, it was crucial to keep the audience engaged by showing the characters evolving, questioning, and displaying moments of vulnerability.

The trailers for Thunderbolts hint that Yelena’s hostility towards Alexei has softened somewhat; this could be due to a temporary truce for their mission or simply a lessening of animosity.

In a new twist, the film “Thunderbolts” unveils The Void, a formidable antagonist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that appears excessively powerful. It’s intriguing to consider how an eclectic group could vanquish an existential menace, yet it seems plausible that they would all survive such a perilous encounter. The upcoming movie, “Avengers: Doomsday,” will immerse them in the heart of the multiverse, joining forces with various allies to face interdimensional challenges together.

Thunderbolts* premieres in theaters on May 2.

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2025-04-29 00:08