Florence Pugh returns as Yelena Belova in Thunderbolts*, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe could have had a different actress in the fan-favorite role, and that star has explained why she did not give life to the Black Widow replacement. Pugh's debut as Yelena in 2021's Black Widow was met with positive reception from critics and fans alike, making it hard to picture anyone else in the role, but another Oscar-nominated actress was reportedly Marvel's first choice for Yelena Belova. Now, the reason she passed on the major role has been revealed.
On the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Saoirse Ronan addressed rumors that she passed on playing the MCU's Yelena Belova. The actress did not directly confirm that she was offered the role before her Little Women co-star Pugh, but Ronan was visibly surprised that the rumors were out there. According to the actress, while she thinks that there is nothing wrong with Marvel and that MCU films are brilliant, Ronan does not see herself in a Marvel production. The actress would like to be part of a franchise like James Bond instead. Check out the full quote below:
"How did you hear about that?... I can't see myself doing Marvel. I don't know, I would prefer to do [James] Bond. There's nothing wrong with it and I think that they're brilliant films."
What Saoirse Ronan's Marvel Comments Mean
Ronan And Marvel's Paths Are Unlikely To Cross
Yelena Belova is a major role. The character debuted in 2021's Black Widow, going on to appear in Disney+'s Hawkeye in that same year. The MCU's Black Widow replacement has enormous potential, which could include multiple teams. The first of which will come in 2025, as Florence Pugh's Yelena is one of the main characters of Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts*. Based on her connection to Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff, Yelena also has a good chance of joining the Avengers as the MCU's new Black Widow.
If Ronan truly passed on a role like Yelena Belova, then it is very hard to picture the actress choosing to join the franchise down the line. It was not a small role, with Yelena being an overarching player in the MCU. Ronan's comment about not seeing herself in a Marvel project cements that the actress is highly unlikely to ever be part of a Marvel movie. Speaking to The Mary Sue in 2013, Ronan was enthusiastic about possibly playing the Scarlet Witch in Avengers: Age of Ultron, but it seems like she has since had a change of heart.
Our Take On Saoirse Ronan's Marvel Comments
The MCU Could Use The Actress
I'm sad to see that Saoirse Ronan joining the MCU seems like a pipe dream. The Oscar-nominated actress has the kind of skills that would make her the perfect choice for a wide variety of characters that the MCU could introduce during the Multiverse Saga and beyond. That said, I was glad that she didn't play Yelena Belova, as I believe Florence Pugh's version of the character is on her way to becoming one of the best players in the MCU, eventually donning the Black Widow title. Hopefully, Ronan will change her mind and take on another MCU role.
