Who Is Yelena Belova? Florence Pugh's Black Widow Character Explained

Marvel's Black Widow will debut Florence Pugh's interpretation of Yelena Belova, a complex anti-hero in the Marvel Universe who might have a bigger role in the MCU moving forward. Since the character's introduction way back in Iron Man 2, fans have been wondering whether or not Scarlett Johansson's secret agent would receive her own solo movie. Her history pre-S.H.I.E.L.D. has always been a little murky within the MCU's timeline, and references to her past misdeeds as well as run-ins with characters like the Winter Soldier have only made curiosity grow in recent years.

The movie, while still a prequel, is set shortly after the events of Captain America: Civil War, while Natasha is on the run from the U.S. government. It will dive heavily into her past and the origins of the mysterious Red Room, while introducing characters from her past such as the Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Melina Vostokoff, another Black Widow and ersatz mother figure to Natasha. The Black Widow movie also marks the first appearance of the MCU's version of Taskmaster, a villain and assassin in the comics known for his ability to mimic the fighting techniques of any of his opponents.

Among all the new characters being introduced in Black Widow, the one with the most potential for future appearances in Yelena Belova, played by Pugh. Her relationship with Natasha in the comics have brought the two assassins to blows as well as to each other's aid, and it'll be curious to see how the MCU flips their relationship on its head.

Yelena Belova's Origins In Marvel Comics

Introduced in 1999 and created by Devin Grayson and J.G. Jones, Yelena was an orphan trained to become an assassin by the Red Room, much like Natasha. Yelena was just as skilled as her red-haired rival, but because Yelena wasn't chosen for the Black Widow Ops Program, she never received the biochemical enhancements that gave Natasha her extended vitality. For a while, Yelena simply worked as an espionage agent for the post-Soviet Russian intelligence agency named the GRU, taking dangerous missions across the globe and even coming into conflict with the Inhumans themselves. However, during her time as a spy and assassin, she was re-discovered by Natasha, now working with S.H.I.E.L.D. as the Black Widow, and eventually Natasha showed Yelena the deceit and treachery that went on behind the scenes of international espionage.

With Natasha's guidance, Yelena eventually retired and became a lingerie model and corporate businesswoman, using her funds and resources to take care of sex workers in several countries across the world. Even though she had fully stepped out of the world she had been forced into, attempts on Natasha's life eventually led her back into the fray and forced her to reclaim the moniker of Black Widow. Most recently, after Natasha was killed off by a Hydra-indoctrinated Captain America during the events of Secret Empire, Yelena once again took on the Black Widow persona to honor her fallen compatriot.

Yelena Belova's Powers In Marvel Comics

Yelena Belova in the crosshairs of a target in Marvel comics

Since Yelena never underwent the Black Widow program, she was only ever trained in physical combat by the Red Room, never receiving any chemical enhancements like Natasha. This means that the only abilities she can rely on are her physical skills, which are peak-human, making her one of the most skilled special agents and human combatants on Earth. She also uses several pieces of technology and equipment very similar to Natasha's, including her wrist-mounted electrical blasters, nicknamed the Widow's Bite.

There was a short period of time in which Yelena was experimented on by A.I.M. scientists and turned into a new version of the Super-Adaptoid. Though short-lived, this version of Yelena was able to duplicate the superhuman abilities of the people she fought, making her nearly unbeatable when she was forced to go up against the New Avengers. It's highly unlikely that we'll see any Super-Adaptoid powers make an appearance in Black Widow, but if the MCU decides to re-introduce A.I.M. a little further down the line, there's a possibility that fans might see this storyline play out in the future.

Florence Pugh Plays Yelena Belova In Black Widow

The trailers and promotional material for the Black Widow movie have already confirmed that Yelena Belova will feature heavily into the plot of the film. For all intents and purposes, it seems as if Florence Pugh will be playing a sisterly role to Natasha, and that they will have both gone through the experiences of the Red Room together. The MCU has heavily hinted that Natasha deeply regrets the things that she did while under the control of her tormentors, and while fans have generally assumed she's referring to assassinations and missions they forced her to carry out, what if there's something else she regrets?

Yelena Belova's Role In Black Widow (& MCU Future)

What if the reason that audiences haven't been introduced to Yelena so far is because Natasha had to leave her behind when escaping from her captors? It would certainly be a great way to build some tension into their newly rekindled relationship, as well as adding even more nuance to Natasha's character and the traumatic and violent past she's had to overcome. Fans have also been speculating about the identity of Taskmaster in this film, because unlike the comics, Black Widow has chosen to keep their identity a secret throughout all the marketing. There's a possibility that Yelena could be Taskmaster herself, choosing to enact a plot against Natasha using the Red Room assassins in order to hold her accountable for the legacy that she left behind.

There's a strong argument against Yelena being Taskmaster, and it's simply the fact that Marvel may want to pass on the Black Widow mantle after Natasha's death in Avengers: Endgame. The film's director, Cate Shortland, has stated in interviews that Natasha would be "handing Belova the baton," which very directly sounds like a passing of the mantle storyline. This would be a brilliant move on the part of Cate Shortland and Kevin Feige, and it would ensure that the legacy of Black Widow can live on through another character and another actress after Johansson has gone.

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