Though Black Widow will see Scarlett Johansson pass down Natasha Romanoff's legacy to Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, her presence across Phase 4 will likely be determined by how well the film does with audiences.
In an interview with GamesRadar for the upcoming issue of Total Film, Johansson and Pugh sat down to talk about Black Widow and Natasha handing over the torch to a new character, given the Avenger's eventual death in Avengers: Endgame. As Pugh pointed out, "If you get asked to be in a Marvel film, and it was so thrilling and fun and exciting to be in, then of course, your head goes: ‘'Oh my God. If this is what it's like, then what else is next?"
Given the Marvel Cinematic Universe's all-encompassing status in Hollywood, Pugh would clearly love to join a Phase 4 Avengers lineup alongside Captain Marvel and Ant-Man. But that will depend on positive reception to this story. "If that happens and I am lucky enough that people appreciate my character, that's an exciting road to go on," she continued. "I would be silly to not be excited by it. I think that being part of the Marvel club is a great honor. But we'll just see if people like Yelena first."
Created in 1999, Yelena Belova is another trainee of the Red Room program like Romanoff who would eventually become the successor to her title of Black Widow. Though she's appeared in the Avengers Assemble cartoon as a rival to Natasha, Black Widow's trailers seemingly showcase a more positive, sisterly bond between Pugh's version of Yelena and Natasha.
Directed by Cate Shortland, Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, O-T Fagbenle as Rick Mason and Rachel Weisz. The film is currently planned to arrive in theaters Nov. 6.