Warning: This post contains Black Widow spoilers.Black Widow’s end-credits scene sets up multiple Phase Four storylines in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Black Widow was scheduled to be released in theaters in May 2020, but the global pandemic shut down productions and theaters for several months. After plenty of delays, the film, which finally gives Natasha Romanoff a solo adventure apart from the other Avengers, was released in theaters and to Disney+, where it’s available for an additional fee via Premier Access.

Black Widow is set before the events of Avengers: Infinity War and fills in some of the blanks regarding what Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) was up to during the events of Captain America: Civil War, with the Avenger being tailed by Thaddeus Ross. Before Black Widow, fans had only heard bits and pieces about Natasha’s spy-assassin history before she joined up with S.H.I.E.L.D. The movie fills in the blanks of her past and gives a glimpse into the future of the MCU thanks to Natasha’s sister, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh).

Related: Black Widow's 12 Biggest Spoilers

As with every Marvel film, Black Widow includes a post-credits scene that not only sets up several, and crucial, Phase Four plots, but includes a surprise appearance from a shadowy and prominent new figure in the MCU.

Click here to watch Black Widow: Post Credit Scene Explained at YouTube

Black Widow Gives Natasha Her Endgame Memorial

Black Widow Natasha Romanoff grave

In the end-credits scene, Black Widow finally receives the memorial Avengers: Endgame never gave her. In the aforementioned film, Natasha sacrificed herself on Vormir so that Hawkeye could obtain the Soul Stone. It was a pivotal death scene, but one that didn’t really get the respect or tribute it deserved from her teammates. The remaining superheroes discussed what happened to Black Widow, with Hulk and Hawkeye expressing grief over her loss, but it only lasted briefly before they promised her death wouldn’t be in vain. At the end, though, it was only Iron Man who got a proper funeral and memorial while Natasha was paid dust.

Black Widow sees Yelena visiting Natasha’s grave on her own, which suggests she was the only one who cared enough to ensure the Avenger had a proper resting place (although it’s unclear if Nat’s actually buried there or if her body is still on Vormir). Yelena honors her sister, whistling for Natasha in the same way they would do when she was alive. Yelena is obviously broken up about Black Widow’s death and it’s deeply moving when she puts her forehead to her tombstone, showcasing how much she cares for the now-deceased character. It’s far more than Natasha ever got from her superhero teammates and it was a lovely, emotional moment.

Is Yelena The New Black Widow?

Black Widow and Yelena Belova after bringing down Red Room.

While Black Widow filled in the gaps of Natasha’s backstory and her connection with the mysterious and deadly Red Room, the film largely set up Yelena’s origin story and future as Black Widow. Yelena is as much a part of the story as her big sister, and arguably even more so. She was even the one to kill Dreykov instead of Natasha, which suggests the MCU was already looking ahead to Yelena taking up the mantle. It’s doubtful she will be joining the Avengers anytime soon, but Yelena has more than proved her mettle when it comes to fighting, planning, and outsmarting antagonists. She is highly skilled and, considering how close she was to Natasha, claiming the title of Black Widow would make a lot of sense. In the comics, Yelena is the second person to take up the name of Black Widow after Natasha. While she worked under other aliases, Yelena officially resumed using the codename Black Widow after Natasha’s death. This sets a precedent for her to do the same in the MCU.

Related: Black Widow Theory: Yelena Is The Next Dark Avengers Recruit

Black Widow Sets Up The Dark Avengers

Black Widow credits Yelena Contessa

In the comics, the Dark Avengers are supervillains masquerading as superheroes. The Dark Avengers arrived at a time when the government had disbanded the original superhero team and handed over control of the group to Norman Osborn, who became a hero in the eyes of the public following the events of “Secret Invasion,” which saw the Skrulls shapeshifting into powerful people in a bid to take over the world. Osborn tweaked the appearance of several villains so they were similar enough to the real Avengers to be plausible; for example, Osborn became Iron Patriot, donning the same colors as Iron Man’s armor, while Venom pretended to be Spider-Man. As with everything that moves from the pages of comics to live-action, the MCU’s version of the Dark Avengers will probably have a different backstory, with the teammates being altered as well. The premise of their existence, however, will likely be similar.

That said, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was the first in the MCU’s Phase Four to hint at the potential arrival of the Dark Avengers. The series introduced John Walker as the new Captain America and Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, arguably a stand-in for Nick Fury, recruited him for a new position within her shadowy organization. The post-credits scene in Black Widow sees the return of Valentina, who essentially hires Yelena for a hit job. Since Yelena could officially go on to become Black Widow, the MCU is seemingly building towards a new group of not-so-superheroes to take over in the Avengers place. Valentina could present the team to the public when she finally has all the pieces of her plan in place as it’s clear she’s been doing the legwork. The Avengers aren’t what they used to be after the events of Avengers: Endgame and Valentina may be trying to seize the opportunity to bring together a new group to replace them. She’s got two onboard already and she may also recruit Agatha Harkness in place of Scarlet Witch. Valentina’s motives are somewhat muddled at the moment, but Black Widow certainly seems to be leading Yelena somewhere and it may very well be to the Dark Avengers, which could make things incredibly interesting for the state of the MCU moving forward.

How Black Widow Sets Up Hawkeye's Events

Black Widow credits Yelena Hawkeye

Prior to Black Widow, Florence Pugh was already confirmed to be reprising the role of Yelena in Hawkeye. However, it was unclear how she would ultimately factor into the Disney+ series’ storyline at the time of the initial announcement. Thanks to the post-credits scene from the film, it’s obvious now that Yelena will enter the fray as an antagonist to Clint Barton. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine appears in the scene to give Yelena her new target: Hawkeye. This not only confirms Yelena’s next mission, but suggests Valentina has been working behind the scenes for a long time and will likely play an integral role in the events of Hawkeye.

It’s possible Yelena will hunt Hawkeye in a bid to assassinate him on Valentina’s orders; the woman doesn’t seem very fond of any of the superheroes thus far. Yelena will certainly want revenge for the death of Natasha, especially considering the pair finally reconciled. The events of Avengers: Endgame stole the opportunity for Yelena to bond further with her sister and Hawkeye is currently the easiest one to blame for what happened on Vormir. Of course, the Disney+ series will have to explain how Yelena and the contessa even crossed paths. That said, Yelena might not know the entire story surrounding Black Widow’s death and it could be that she switches sides to join Hawkeye once she discovers the truth. Regardless of how things play out, Black Widow is already making Hawkeye’s plot all the more interesting. For now, Contessa Valentina de Fontaine is clearly stirring up trouble to create tension for the remaining Avengers. Whatever she has in store, Yelena will play a key role moving forward.

Next: Everything We Know About Black Widow 2

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