Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, Natasha's successor as Black Widow, is set to appear in the Disney+ Hawkeye TV series - but what role will she play? In the comics, Yelena Belova is Natasha Romanoff's rival for the mantle of the Black Widow. But it's gradually becoming clear the MCU's version has a very different relationship with her fellow ex-assassin.

The MCU's Yelena Belova will make her MCU debut in Black Widow, a film set shortly after Captain America: Civil War. Wanted for breach of the Sokovia Accords, Black Widow is forced to turn to her old "family" from the Red Room for help. The relationship between Yelena and Natasha feels like two sisters, who can be prickly with one another, but regardless, love each other deeply. Although Pugh initially played coy about her MCU future, she's now been confirmed to appear in the Hawkeye Disney+ TV series. Naturally, that's leading to intense speculation about her role in the show.

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In thematic terms, it looks as though Hawkeye is all about exploring the legacy of Clint Barton, the Avengers' archer. Not only will the show feature Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, the second Hawkeye in the comics, but it will also introduce a character who took up Clint's other superhero identity, Ronin, as well. Alaqua Cox will play Maya Lopez, a character sometimes called Echo, who assumed the Ronin codename during Brian Bendis' New Avengers run. These two women essentially represent two different legacies for Clint Barton, one as an Avenger and the other as an assassin. Through Yelena, Natasha's "sister" figure, Clint will be confronted with another aspect of his legacy as well; after all, he was the one who persuaded Natasha to abandon her old family and join SHIELD in the first place. The dynamic should be a fascinating one to see in Hawkeye's show.

Black Widow and Hawkeye on Vormir in Avengers Endgame

It should also be deeply emotional. Hawkeye is set sometime after Avengers: Endgame, which means Natasha Romanoff has died - and, for all fans know, that loss might be recent. Spider-Man: Far From Home confirmed the Avengers have concealed evidence of time travel from the world, meaning they'll have lied about Natasha's death. It's not hard to imagine Yelena seeking Clint out in order to find out the truth about what happened to Nat - and Hawkeye revealing she died in his place.

Little is known about Yelena Belova's history in the MCU; it's even possible she has a history of her own with Hawkeye, perhaps crossing paths with him back when he was assigned to take out her older "sister," Natasha. Whether that is the case or not, though, it seems Hawkeye will see a reunion between key members of Natasha Romanoff's two families - Yelena representing her Red Room family, Clint standing for her time with SHIELD and the Avengers. In an odd way, then, Hawkeye is the real conclusion of Black Widow's MCU saga, and an opportunity to finally show Natasha's loved ones grieve for her loss.

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