Scarlett Johansson’s MCU return makes a major Black Widow theory seem almost inevitable

Scarlett Johansson returned to the MCU and made a name for herself Black Widow Theory seems practically inevitable. Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff, AKA Black Widow, was last seen in her self-titled prequel movie in 2021. The character, however, remains dead in the MCU after sacrificing herself to obtain the Soul Stone in Avengers: Endgame. The nature of the death means that her soul is presumably trapped in the Soul Stone’s pocket dimension and remains inaccessible now that Earth-616’s Infinity Stones have been destroyed. Still, with the multiverse saga showing that countless variants reside in other universes, Scarlett Johansson’s MCU return feels possible.

Meanwhile, Yelena Belova is filling her shoes as the MCU’s elite assassin and victim of the Red Room. Belova is set to take on a starring role in 2025 thunderbolts* After reuniting with her adoptive father, Alexei Shostakov, and being reunited with a team of the MCU’s down-and-out reformed villains and antiheroes. This is where Scarlett Johansson is returning to the MCU, and this could be a big step for Belova’s MCU arc.

Jelena Officially Becomes Black Widow in Thunderbolts * Makes More Sense With Scarlett Johansson’s Return

Scarlett Johansson should oversee the passing of the torch

Despite filling the role of her late adoptive sister, Yelena Belova has yet to adopt the mantle of Black Widow. This is despite being part of the same Black Widow program as her predecessor and taking up the mantle in Marvel Comics. This can be about to change in thunderbolts*Which is rendered even more likely by the fact that Scarlett Johansson is involved as one of the executive producers of the movie.

This is the second time Johansson has filled such a role for an MCU movie after production from 2021 Black Widow. However, although she also starred in her Swansong movie, her character’s death means she is highly unlikely to appear in Thunderbolts*. Instead, Johansson’s involvement is more likely due to the involvement of several characters who debuted in Black WidowWhile Her unspoken connection to the Black Widow mantle makes it possible that she will be involved in passing the torch to Yelena Belova..

Yelena’s recent MCU appearance teased an impending official take on the Black Widow mantle

Hawkeye helped set Elena down a more heroic path

Yelena Belova was last seen in Hawkeye After being hired by Eleanor Bishop to assassinate Clint Barton – a job she eagerly took on since she believed Hawkeye to be her sister’s killer. After spending several episodes pursuing Barton, their final showdown in the series finale, “So it’s Christmas,“saw Hawkeye successfully convince Bella that he is not responsible for her sister’s death. This leads to a tearful final scene for Yelena as she walks away knowing that her sister made a noble decision that she cannot be excused from.”

Reconciliation with a former avenger and her sister’s final moments may lead Yelena down a more heroic path. With a brave moniker. Now that she’s dealt with Black Widow’s absence, there’s a gaping hole in the MCU that Yelena is the perfect candidate to fill. Her highly entertaining friendship with Kate Bishop, meanwhile, opens the door for a slot on a more honest team down the line – but thunderbolts* Seems like the best place for Yelena to officially become Black Widow anyway.

Why Thunderbolts* is the perfect place to officially make Yelena the next Black Widow

The cloak could give Yelena the goal she’s been looking for

After the release of the first thunderbolts* Teaser trailer, it’s clear to see that the titular team will be relatively fractious – at least at first. It is also set to center around themes of mental health, which is exemplified by Yelena’s line: “There is something wrong with me. An emptiness. I’m just drifting and I have no purpose.“Presumably, this will culminate in the struggling team members—and specifically Yelena Belova—achieving some kind of catharsis that will set them in good stead for their MCU futures.

Taking on the mantle of Black Widow and continuing her sister’s legacy would be the perfect way for Yelena Belova to achieve this. There is a lot of purpose to be found in the role of Black WidowAfter all, and it should help guide you in a more honest way than doing de Fontaine’s dirty work. If she survives the movie — an eventuality that looks terrifyingly uncertain now that Sentry is confirmed to be involved — it could propel Belova from being a morally gray member of the Thunderbolts to continuing Natasha Romanoff’s valiant legacy with the Avengers.