Florence Pugh’s Heartfelt Tribute to Scarlett Johansson: ‘I Miss Her Presence on Set’”
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Florence Pugh’s role as Yelena Belova in Black Widow was a standout moment for Marvel fans, marking her official entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and earning her widespread praise. While her journey with the MCU continues, especially with the release of Thunderbolts, Pugh took a moment to reflect on her experience working with Scarlett Johansson, who not only played the iconic Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) but also played a pivotal role in bringing Pugh’s character into the MCU fold.
The Special Bond with Scarlett Johansson
As Yelena Belova, Pugh portrayed the younger sister and adoptive family member to Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff, a relationship that evolved through Black Widow‘s storyline. Pugh admits to feeling the weight of her connection to Johansson, particularly after Natasha’s tragic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Pugh shared the deep gratitude and admiration she holds for Johansson, particularly the trust Scarlett showed in her by inviting her into the MCU family. “My whole journey with Marvel was because of Scarlett trusting me and Scarlett wanting me to join her movie six years ago,” Pugh revealed. “I always miss her presence… I always feel like it was such a mean thing to begin the journey with someone and then you never get to work with them again on it.”
Pugh expressed that it felt surreal that Black Widow was the first and last time she would work alongside Johansson in this particular Marvel world. Despite that, Pugh remains focused on honoring Johansson’s legacy, always hoping that Scarlett is proud of her portrayal as Yelena. “I always have that in the back of my head, like, ‘Oh, I hope she’s happy that we came in,'” Pugh added. “So I do miss her a lot on set, yes. We would have a lot of laughter.”
A New Chapter in the MCU
Despite her nostalgia and affection for her co-star, Pugh is moving forward with the MCU and embracing her next role in Thunderbolts, which reunites her with co-stars such as David Harbour, who plays Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian. While Black Widow was Johansson’s first solo film as Natasha, marking a bittersweet farewell to the character, it also opened the door for new stories within the MCU. Pugh’s character, Yelena, is now positioned to take the torch forward, and in many ways, she’s helping to carve a fresh narrative path while also paying tribute to Natasha.
“I’m genuinely always just hoping that she’s proud,” Pugh shared, underscoring her ongoing respect for Johansson and her character’s legacy within the MCU.
Harbour’s Thoughts on Melina and Future Potential
While Pugh reflects on the loss of her Black Widow co-star, David Harbour, who played Red Guardian, also shared his thoughts about another character from Black Widow—Melina, portrayed by Rachel Weisz. Harbour mentioned that he would love to see Melina’s character reemerge in future MCU projects, noting there was potential for her to return and add more complexity to the story.
“There was a beautiful [deleted] scene with me and Rachel [kissing] after the crash,” Harbour revealed. “I touch her face and everything. It was one of my favorite moments from that movie.” Although this scene didn’t make it to the final cut, Harbour believes that there’s room for Melina to come back in some meaningful way, potentially adding a rich layer to the dynamics between his character and Melina.
Looking Ahead
As the MCU evolves with Thunderbolts, fans can expect to see Pugh continue to carry the torch of her character, Yelena Belova, while grappling with the loss of Natasha and the impact of her legacy. However, as Pugh expressed, the journey isn’t about simply filling Natasha’s shoes—it’s about adding something new and continuing the growth of the MCU’s rich tapestry of characters.
Both Black Widow and Thunderbolts are pivotal moments for Pugh’s career within Marvel, and it’s clear that while she’ll miss working alongside Scarlett Johansson, she is more than ready to carry the momentum forward. The emotional ties to her role in Black Widow, along with her recognition of Johansson’s influence, ensure that her portrayal of Yelena will continue to resonate deeply with audiences for years to come.
Black Widow is currently available for streaming on Disney+, and Pugh and Harbour will reunite in Thunderbolts, which is set to release in theaters on May 2, 2025.
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