New set photos from Cate Shortland's Black Widow may finally have confirmed the rumors surrounding who Florence Pugh will play in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as they indicate she's playing Yelena Belova.Black Widow is currently filming in Budapest, where some behind-the-scenes pictures show a series of dummy crates containing likenesses of Johansson and Pugh. Pugh is labeled Yelena. The images were shared by @bestofwidows. There was also a clip shared on Instagram by RóisÃn McHugh of the doll in action on the back of a motorbike.
This is far from official confirmation Pugh is playing Belova, but it's a pretty big hint. Introduced in 1999's Inhumans #5, Belova was originally an enemy of Romanoff who was hired to kill her. Also trained in the Red Room, Belova had all the skills of the original Black Widow and eventually took on the mantle herself. It's unclear whether the MCU version will be an enemy or ally of Romanoff. If Pugh is playing the second Black Widow, it could neatly set up her involvement in the future of the MCU.
Black Widow will finally give Scarlett Johansson's character her own standalone film. While the storyline of Shortland's movie is still being kept under wraps, Sebastian Stan reportedly indicated the movie will take place around the time of Captain America: Civil War.
Directed by Cate Shortland with a script by Ned Benson, Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson and is rumored to be released on May 1, 2020.
(via Comic Book Movie)