Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova Steals the Show in Thunderbolts: Marvel’s Best Post-Endgame Hero?

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Initial responses to Marvel’s Thunderbolts are in, and I’m pleased to note that a character from after the Endgame era has garnered attention from Marvel Studios. To put it simply, Thunderbolts is an impressive ensemble production since it brings together some of the MCU’s most intriguing characters for the first time as a fresh team. Interestingly enough, one new Thunderbolt character appears to be attracting the majority of early accolades in the film.

Gathering an unusual assortment of partners, the team known as the “Thunderbolts” will consist of Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, John Walker’s U.S. Agent, Yelena Belova, Ghost, and Taskmaster. Their mission will be to thwart a new menace in New York City: The Sentry/Void.

Intriguingly, the early feedback on Thunderbolts has ignited my anticipation for one specific member of this upcoming MCU team: Yelena Belova.

[*Note: “Thunderbolts” and “*” are fictional characters from Marvel Comics]

The Thunderbolts* Reactions Are Praising One MCU Actor More Than Others

Florence Pugh As Yelena Belova

In numerous social media discussions about the upcoming film Thunderbolts*, it’s clear that Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Yelena Belova has garnered significant praise from many viewers. Yelena is reportedly responsible for some of the movie’s most impactful emotional scenes, while also winning over fans alongside Lewis Pullman’s Sentry. In fact, Pugh’s performance in this new MCU film is widely regarded as outstanding and exceptional.

Initially introduced in 2021’s “Black Widow” film, Yelena Belova was portrayed as a former Black Widow trainee from the Red Room and the younger sibling of Natasha Romanov, played by Scarlett Johansson. Later that year, she appeared in the “Hawkeye” series, seeking revenge on Clint Barton for her sister’s demise in “Avengers: Endgame”. Now, with “Thunderbolts”, Yelena gets her first significant role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has generated much excitement based on early responses to the movie.

Why I’m Glad Marvel Is Embracing Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova

An Entertaining & Tragically Complex Character Played By A Fantastic Actress

Yelena Belova stands out as one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most captivating characters currently, having made a significant impact in films such as “Black Widow” and “Hawkeye.” Her performance, particularly her scenes with Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop in “Hawkeye,” were noteworthy for their mix of humor and drama. The emotional climax she reached with Clint Barton in the finale of “Hawkeye” to confront Natasha Romanoff’s death left a lasting impression on fans, earning her the title of one of the most compelling characters introduced by the MCU since 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.

The primary reason Yelena is impressive is largely because of Florence Pugh’s consistently powerful portrayal as the ex-Black Widow. Given her exceptional acting skills, it’s no wonder she’s often regarded as one of today’s top Hollywood actresses. Consequently, I’m pleased that Marvel Studios recognizes and utilizes Pugh’s talent. Moreover, Yelena’s popularity in the upcoming MCU movie is a promising sign for the franchise’s future past Thunderbolts.

I’m Relieved Florence Pugh’s Yelena Is Already Confirmed For Avengers: Doomsday

She’ll Hopefully Help Lead The Next MCU Crossover

Keeping this in perspective, it’s been confirmed that the cast of Thunderbolts will feature in Avengers: Doomsday, set for 2026. Furthermore, it’s plausible that their roles could extend into Secret Wars in 2027, marking the end of the Multiverse Saga. With this understanding, we can anticipate that Florence Pugh’s character Yelena Belova will likely play a significant role in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe crossovers, potentially working together to preserve reality and confront Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.

If the movie “Thunderbolts” is expected to succeed at the box office, it’s logical to assume that Marvel would want their stars from this film to play significant roles in upcoming productions like “Doomsday” and potentially “Secret Wars”. The cast for “Avengers: Doomsday” has already been confirmed, and Marvel Studios is still announcing actors for the crossover. Given that Yelena Belova, who was the main character of “Thunderbolts”, has been confirmed, it seems she’ll play a crucial part in future projects. Therefore, it’s advantageous that Florence Pugh’s role in the MCU is already garnering positive reviews for her performance in “Thunderbolts”.

Thunderbolts* releases in theaters May 2nd from Marvel Studios.

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2025-04-24 06:30