Natasha Romanoff, played by Scarlet Johansson goes by the alias Black Widow. This is a name that we all know. That’s because she has been in the MCU ever since. Moreover, she surprises us with her combat skills. Time and again she has proved that she can survive without superpowers. So why not have a solo movie to her name? Well, this is exactly what Marvel did. With Black Widow almost around the corner, we speculate that Yelena Belova will replace Black Widow!
How Yelena Belova and Black Widow Connect
Let me tell you about who Yelena Belova is. Originally created by Devin Grayson and J.G. Jones, she first appeared in Inhumans #5. Moreover, she’s a highly-skilled spy, and a second modern-era character to use the Black Widow name. Natasha introduces her in the trailer by calling her “sis”. But they are not biologically related to each other in the comics. Hence, it will not be a surprise if they are not real sisters in the movie as well.
We all know that Black Widow was trained in a program called the Red Room. However, she wasn’t the only one. Yelena was a part of it too. In fact, she is the one who surpassed Natasha’s performance in the program. In the comics, Yelena attempts to infiltrate Black Widow’s mission. This was done on purpose so she can go head-to-head with the woman she’s been brought up to succeed. They share a complicated history throughout their comic history. This is something that may be explored in the film as well. Hence, Yelena Belova will replace Black Widow, but not in the way that we are imagining.
Why Belova May Become Red Widow & Black Widow
As seen by now, Phase 4 is all about passing down the legacy. For example, Steve passed it on to Sam. But it seems like that’s not the case with Yelena Belova. I have a few reasons to support my claim. First, it’s Pugh only who expressed something similar. She told Uproxx that Black Widow “certainly didn’t feel like a passing of the torch kind of film when we were making it.” Hence, this tells us that her future in the MCU is entirely different from that of Black Widow.
Yelena Belova is a big part of Black Widow’s history. Moreover, MCU has been adapting much from the comics lately. It is fairly believable that instead of passing down the torch to Belova, she will explore her solo alias, and I am talking about the Red Widow. And that is how Yelena Belova will replace Black Widow in the future of MCU. She is already set to return in the Hawkeye series.
Red Widow’s History & Winter Guard
One of the most dangerous results of the Red Room training programs is the Red Widow. When a seven-year-old homeless girl was brought into this program, she found purpose and structure in the intense training. She underwent extreme manipulation and harsh conditions resulting in scabs and scars on her body. As similar to Black Widow, she does not have any superpowers. But her combat skills are so above the bar that she can take on most of the Avengers. She’s equally trained in armed combat as well.
David Harbour is confirmed to appear in the movie as the Red Guardian, which is Russia’s answer to Captain America. Hence, people were bound to assume that the Winter Guard is coming to the MCU. Well, it was the same for me too. Moreover, check out what he had to say in an Instagram post of his. He hinted the rest of the Winter Guard could turn up too. “Ursa, Yelena, Nat, CD, Sputnik, I and all the rest of the winter guard look forward to sharing a popcorn bag and a big ole screen in a dark theater with ya on July 9,” he wrote in an Instagram post. It looks as though Black Widow will give Russia its rival Avengers team.
Marvel Could Make Yelena The Red Widow
All of this when cumulated together hints that Yelena may not become Black Widow after all, but Red Widow. Honestly, I am all up for it! I think that she will become Red Widow against her will. I propose this after a very questionable show in the trailer. Belova being subjected to mysterious experiments, with the equipment branded with the logo of AIM, the villainous group last seen in Iron Man 3. Even though Red Widow has no superpowers, Black Widow could end with her being captured and enhanced in some manner.
Yelena Belova is speculated to appear in Hawkeye as well. She could be the next big threat. She could be on the hunt for either Kate Bishop’s Hawkeye or Echo. After becoming the Red Widow, she could be the leader of a group of superhumans, always looking for recruits and becoming a major problem for the Avengers. Moreover, David Harbour’s Instagram post only pushes our claim further to towards the finish line.
What do you think of Yelena Belova? Let us know in the comments below!
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