Many Marvel fans are not quite ready to let the Infinity Saga go, myself included, but it’s hard not to be excited for Phase 4 and 5 of the MCU.

One aspect of Marvel’s new phase is the introduction of fresh characters to the live-action universe, including Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova. The young, Russian assassin and adopted sister to Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff was a massive hit with fans who indulged in Black Widow, and Pugh will be reprising her role in the upcoming Disney+ series Hawkeye.

With another feature already in Yelena’s crosshairs, comic book fans are wondering whether the character will take over the Black Widow mantle, just like she did in the source material.

Yelena Belova - Comic Book Narrative Explored

Yelena’s comic book variant is a much different character to the charismatic, comedic and loving Widow portrayed in Cate Shortland’s origin film. The feisty, blonde-haired, Red Room graduate was more of an adversary to Natasha within Marvel’s comics, who always believed that she was meant to carry the Black Widow mantle. Yelena has constant rivalry with Natasha throughout many narratives, including Kelly Thompson’s current comic series.

Because Yelena's comic book character and live-action persona are quite different, fans are wondering whether Pugh will take over as Black Widow from Johansson, or carve her own identity. Within the crossover comic Secret Empire, Yelena honors Natasha by taking over the title of Black Widow in the wake of her death, and Marvel could easily replicate this arc within the MCU - especially after that Black Widow post-credits scene.

Yelena-Belova black widow gun

Marvel Studios

Will Yelena Become the New Black Widow?

*Major Spoilers Ahead*

Within the Black Widow post-credits scene, we see Yelena visit Natasha’s grave after the events of Avengers: Endgame. The character Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Drefus), who was first introduced in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, meets Yelena and tasks her with a new target. De Fontaine presents Cliff Barton as the man responsible for Natasha’s death, which nicely sets up Yelena’s role in the Hawkeye series.

With Yelena now operating as a free agent, outside the control of Dreykov and the Red Room, Yelena could assume the Black Widow role and join the host of other young superheroes stepping up to save the world, including Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop. Bishop will assume the role of Hawkeye in the series, while Barton advances to become Ronin, and Yelena’s graduation to Black Widow could mirror Bishop’s.

It certainly appears as though the MCU could go down the route of the source material, however Yelena is headstrong enough to reject the glorified superhero role she once berated Natasha for having and strive to stand independently. On the other hand, we could see Yelena appear in Hawkeye with a brand-new vest donning the Black Widow symbol.