Marvel Studios has already introduced the perfect characters to resurrect the friendship between Natasha Romanoff's Black Widow and Clint Barton's Hawkeye in the MCU after Avengers: Endgame marked the end of their journey together. Both Romanoff and Barton were introduced to the MCU in Phase 1, and were crucial characters in the franchise throughout the entirety of the Infinity Saga. As original members of the Avengers, both received a huge amount of development, despite not getting solo projects until Phase 4.
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Phase 4's Black Widow and Hawkeye explored Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton's lives in greater detail, and introduced their exciting legacy heroes to live-action. However, both these projects were also impacted by the tragic events of 2019's Avengers: Endgame, which saw Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow sacrifice herself on Vormir so that Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye could return home with the Soul Stone. Romanoff's death not only rid the MCU of its original female superhero, but also robbed audiences of one of the franchise's most entertaining and heartwarming friendships.
Black Widow & Hawkeye’s Friendship Was One Of The Best Parts Of The MCU’s Infinity Saga
2012's The Avengers first established Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton as best friends, after both had already been introduced as dedicated SHIELD agents in previous projects, Iron Man 2 and Thor, respectively. The Avengers hinted at the pair's rich history, which was explored further in Black Widow and Hawkeye. Barton had been sent to eliminate Romanoff during her time as a Black Widow assassin, but he instead chose to spare her and convince her to defect to the United States, leading to their intense bonding experience in Budapest.
Romanoff and Barton shared camaraderie throughout the entire Infinity Saga. Avengers: Age of Ultron revealed Barton's kids referred to Romanoff as "Auntie Nat," while the other Avengers didn't even know Barton had a family. The pair pulled their punches during their spar in Captain America: Civil War, both not wanting to hurt the other. In the end, Romanoff sacrificed herself not only to allow the Avengers to reverse Thanos' snap, but primarily to save Barton's own life, finally repaying the debt she felt she owed.
Yelena Belova & Kate Bishop Can Continue Black Widow & Hawkeye’s Legacy
It's a shame that Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton's story is over, as the MCU has been robbed of their entertaining and very human connection, which was a wonderful grounding element in a franchise full of superpowered individuals and otherworldly characters. However, the pair's legacy heroes, Yelena Belova and Kate Bishop, have already been perfectly set up to resurrect this legendary friendship. Hawkeye marked the beginning of what could be a long-running friendship between the MCU's new Black Widow and Hawkeye.
It's unclear when Belova and Bishop will share the screen again.
Talking over mac-and-cheese, Belova and Bishop discuss their respective friends, with the latter trying to persuade the former that Clint Barton had nothing to do with her sister's death. Later, in Hawkeye's final episode, Yelena Belova and Kate Bishop share fun moments in an elevator before fighting, each showing off their impressive skills, and becoming closer in the process. It would be fantastic to see this friendship develop, as the MCU has been missing Black Widow and Hawkeye's bond since Avengers: Endgame, though it's unclear when Belova and Bishop will share the screen again.
