Stepping into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is no small feat—it can feel like being handed the keys to an entire galaxy. For Florence Pugh, her entry into this larger-than-life franchise was made possible by none other than Scarlett Johansson, whose legacy as Black Widow still casts a long, meaningful shadow. As Thunderbolts hits theaters, Pugh is opening up about how deeply she still feels Johansson’s absence.
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A mentor, a friend, a gateway to Marvel
Florence Pugh didn’t exactly stroll into the MCU; she was invited. Cast as Yelena Belova, the fierce and sarcastic younger sister of Natasha Romanoff in Black Widow, her Marvel journey began with a personal call from Johansson herself. As Pugh recently told The Hollywood Reporter,
“My whole Marvel adventure began because Scarlett trusted me enough to bring me into her film. That still means a lot.”
It’s a refreshing reminder that behind the explosive fight scenes and multiverse madness, there are real relationships shaping the way these characters evolve. And in Pugh’s case, it was Johansson who held the door open.
I remember seeing Black Widow in a packed cinema and thinking, this isn’t just a handover—it’s a passing of the torch. You could feel it in the way their characters moved together, fought together, and cracked dry jokes in Russian accents.
Thunderbolts: the darker side of the MCU
Fast forward to today, and Pugh is front and center in Thunderbolts, the latest Marvel project that trades glossy heroics for something grittier. Think of it as the MCU’s answer to Suicide Squad: a team of misfits and morally complicated figures thrown together for a mission no one else wants.
Alongside Pugh’s Yelena, the cast includes Sebastian Stan as the Winter Soldier, David Harbour returning as the Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, and Olga Kurylenko as the enigmatic Taskmaster. It’s a lineup made for chaos—and catharsis.
Directed by Jake Schreier (Robot & Frank, Paper Towns), the film has been met with solid enthusiasm. French film platform Allociné reports an average press rating of 3 out of 5 stars, while moviegoers are even more enthusiastic, giving it 3.9 out of 5.
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The absence that still lingers
While the Thunderbolts team may be new, the void left by Johansson’s Natasha is something Pugh admits still weighs heavily.
“It was really special that my first time in this universe was also Scarlett’s last,” she shared. “I honestly hope she’s proud.”
There’s something deeply human in that sentiment—an actress stepping into a legacy while still looking back with gratitude. In an industry often obsessed with the next big thing, it’s rare to hear such heartfelt acknowledgment of what came before.
As a fan, I’ve always appreciated the quiet threads that connect these films beyond just storylines and CGI. It’s the off-screen camaraderie, the mentorship, the passing glances that mean everything in the middle of a climactic battle. Pugh’s reflection on Johansson is a reminder that even in a universe of infinite timelines, some characters—and people—are truly irreplaceable.
A new era, with echoes of the old
With Thunderbolts now in theaters, Florence Pugh is no longer just the “next Black Widow”—she’s firmly her own force. But it’s clear that Scarlett Johansson’s influence still shapes her journey, and by extension, the spirit of the films to come.
As the MCU evolves, it’s actors like Pugh—talented, grounded, and respectful of the giants before her—who will keep its heart intact. And for fans still mourning Natasha Romanoff’s fall in Endgame, there’s something comforting in knowing she’s still missed by those who knew her best, both on and off the screen.