Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Captain America: Brave New WorldIt feels somewhat bizarre to me thatCaptain America: Brave New Worlddebuted a brand-new Black Widow when they’ve already had one set up and ready to go since 2020.Brave New Worldintroduced Ruth Bat-Seraph into the MCU, a former Black Widow trained in the Red Room (played by Shira Haas). However, the MCU already had Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, sister to Natasha Romanov who was also trained in the Red Room.
To be fair, it needs to be remembered thatRuth Bat-Seraph is an Israeli superhero known as Sabrain the original Marvel Comics. However, changes to her character and the addition of her Black Widow history came due to real-life changes in the political climate.Nevertheless, I feel as though this still created an odd dynamic where a new Black Widow was created and given a spotlight, only 3 months before Yelena Belova’s movie debut as a leading Widow in the MCU.
Yelena Belova’s MCU Movie Debut Was Set To Be A Major Black Widow Return After The 2020 Movie
Making her MCU debut in 2020’sBlack Widow,Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova was revealed to be the younger sister of Natasha Romanovwho was also trained and tortured in the Red Room by General Dreykov.Yelena then had a small role in 2022’sHawkeye, seeking to avenge her sister’s death inAvengers: Endgameand blaming Clint Barton for her loss. To that end, the build-up of her character thus far would have paid off this year withThundertbolts*in May.
Marvel’s Thunderbolts*: Everything You Need To Know
With the MCU’s Thunderbolts* movie having now officially released, here’s everything you need to know about the Marvel film and its story.
After her supporting role inBlack Widowand extended guest-type television appearance inHawkeye,Thunderboltsis going to be Yelena’s moment to be a true leading character in an MCU movie. Likewise,the first trailer forThunderboltsconfirms as much that a significant portion of the spotlight will be on her. Florence Pugh’s established star power certainly warrants as much. To that end, one can certainly argue that Ruth Bat-Seraph’s MCU debut only a few months prior with her tacked-on Widow history wasn’t the best of decisions.
Captain America: Brave New World Beat Thunderbolts* Debuting A Black Widow, Only To Do Little With The Story
Ruth Bat-Seraph Didn’t Have A Lot Depth
Additionally, it doesn’t help thatCaptain America: Brave New Worlddidn’t do much with Ruth Bat-Seraph, nor her history as a Black Widow. Aside from a single line confirming her Red Room training, there was nothing else in the movie to point to her status as a former Widow. She didn’t have any connections to Natasha, Yelena, or their fellow women who were captured and trained either.
“Simply having a new Black Widow to begin with in a supporting role just ahead of Yelena’s leading role inThunderbolts*still feels weird to me…”
By the end ofCaptain America: Brave New World, it’s clear that a lot of Ruth’s role was cut and significantly altered.However, the changes Ruth was given had very little depth or dimension (which is unfortunate). At the same time, simply having a new Black Widow to begin with in a supporting role just ahead of Yelena’s leading role inThunderbolts*still feels weird to me.
Thunderbolts* Can Cement Yelena As Natasha’s MCU Black Widow Successor
Becoming An Avenger-Type Former Widow
Regardless of how people feel about Ruth Bat-Seraph and whether she was utilized well inCaptain America: Brave New World,Thunderboltsis the MCU movie that can truly cement Yelena Belova as Natasha Romanov’s true successor as a Black Widow-turned-hero. After all, the trailers forThunderboltshave already proven that the group of heroes joining Yelena will become a team who will question if they have what it takes to become heroes like the Avengers (despite their respective dark histories).
It looks as though Yelena will be sharing the lead role with Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes.However, I certainly hope thatThunderbolts*will help launch Yelena as a major household name in the MCU asthenew Black Widow.
Captain America: Brave New Worldis in theaters now.Thunderbolts*releases May 2nd from Marvel Studios.
Captain America: Brave New World
Cast
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titledNew World Order)marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.After meeting President Thaddeus Ross, Sam is caught in a global crisis. He must expose the mastermind behind a sinister plot before the world descends into turmoil. Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen debut of Sam Wilson as Captain America, and Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut, replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
Thunderbolts*
Thunderbolts follows seven disillusioned individuals who find themselves trapped in a perilous situation. Tasked with a daunting mission, they must face the most shadowy aspects of their histories to survive and achieve their goals.
