In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Yelena Belova has quickly gained popularity among fans thanks to her intricate persona, connections with Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), and Florence Pugh’s exceptional portrayal. Excitingly, the upcoming movie Thunderbolts provides ample screen time for Yelena, allowing her to take center stage in the MCU’s fresh superhero team, demonstrating that she’s far from just a replacement for the Black Widow. Even more enticing is the confirmation that Pugh will reprise her role in Avengers: Doomsday, where we can expect Yelena’s character growth to reach new levels as the heroes grapple with Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in the Sacred Timeline.
WARNING: Spoilers below for Thunderbolts*
In the opening scenes of “Thunderbolts”, we discover that Yelena is grappling with depression. Though the illness isn’t directly labeled in the film, she appears lethargic and burdened by an unrelenting sense of loneliness and purposelessness. Despite her efforts to press on, working tirelessly as one of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s (portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) black ops specialists, she finds herself lacking a supportive home environment and frequently turns to alcohol to numb her pain. As Yelena explains, her sorrow deepened following the news of her sister’s demise. By the time “Thunderbolts” begins, her troubles have evolved into an emptiness, gradually consuming her spirit and rendering life flavorless.
In the course of the storyline known as Thunderbolts*, Yelena gradually regains her trust in those around her. Initially, she teams up with John Walker (Wyatt Russell) and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) purely out of necessity when they find themselves stranded within Valentina’s desert compound. However, their shared objective and Yelena’s heartfelt desire to make a positive impact in the world transform her into an unanticipated leader among them, inspiring others to take a firm stand against wrongdoing. The experiences within Thunderbolts* also enable Yelena to reestablish contact with her father, the Red Guardian (David Harbour), who had pushed her away due to his own struggles following Natasha’s death. This renewed family bond assists Yelena in gaining a fresh perspective, understanding that strong human connections are vital for survival in a harsh world. Eventually, she imparts this wisdom to Bob (Lewis Pullman), ultimately sparing the world from the Void.
At the climax of Thunderbolts, when Bob transforms into the Void, enshrouding New York City in darkness, Yelena makes a bold move and dives into the shadows, aiming to connect with Bob. Encouraged by her courage, her comrades join suit. They rally Bob, showing him that he’s not alone, and can rise above the Void’s influence. Valentina, understanding that their actions will paint them as heroes, seamlessly integrates herself with the team, presenting them to the media as the New Avengers. Yelena and the others support this charade, receiving a fresh start in return, enabling them to become true heroes. However, Yelena warns Valentina that her power is limited, for the New Avengers can expose her deceit and bring down her influence at any moment.
Yelena Will Lead the New Avengers in Avengers: Doomsday
In the extra scene following the credits of Thunderbolts, it’s been 14 months since Yelena and her companions defeated the Void. During this time, the New Avengers have functioned as officially endorsed superheroes from the Watchtower (formerly known as the Avengers Tower). Although they’ve become a tight-knit team with plenty of battle experience, they continue to grapple with public skepticism, as many people remain hesitant to acknowledge their worth due to their complex pasts. Adding to their troubles is Sam Wilson (portrayed by Anthony Mackie), who wants to establish his own Avengers squad and even hints at suing the New Avengers for trademark violation.
In the role of ethical guide for the New Avengers, Yelena must persistently guide her teammates towards righteousness during the “Avengers: Doomsday” crossover event. Given that this interconnected storyline poses a threat to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole, the New Avengers will be compelled to engage with Captain America and other heroes from the Sacred Timeline to confront Doctor Doom. This situation calls for applying the insights gained in “Thunderbolts” and leaning heavily on authentic human bonds as their most powerful defense against darkness.
In the extra scene following the credits of Thunderbolts, it’s shown that the New Avengers are the ones who initially spot the interdimensional vessel belonging to the Fantastic Four. This means Yelena must decide on the best approach for her team to interact with these unexpected guests, collaborating for the greater benefit.
The movie “Thunderbolts” can now be watched in cinemas. The film “Avengers: Doomsday” is set to premiere on May 1, 2026, and will be followed by “Avengers: Secret Wars” on May 7, 2027.
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2025-05-10 02:48