Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow is among my favorite characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I really need Thunderbolts* to redeem her legacy after a recent Marvel mistake. Even though there are rumors concerning Scarlett Johansson returning to the MCU as Black Widow, the character’s time as a main figure in the universe is likely over. As a result, it is important that the franchise find other characters to take her place, both in the Avengers team, and in the larger universe.

Even though Black Widow is set just after Captain America: Civil War, the film’s repercussions on the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole are important. The biggest impact that the film had was in giving additional context and detail into how Black Widows themselves came about. With an excellent cast and exciting action, the underrated film continues to have an effect on the story of the MCU. In some ways this has been done well, although one recent follow-up to that story felt incredibly disappointing.

Captain America: Brave New World Totally Wasted Introducing A New Black Widow To Its World

Ruth Bat-Seraph Appeared In The New Film In An Unimportant Role

There is more than one Black Widow in the MCU after the events of Captain America: Brave New World. The film introduced Ruth Bat-Seraph, who worked as a security advisor to President Ross in the film. The character has incredible combat skills that she learned in the Red Room, and it is revealed that she came from the Black Widow program. Unfortunately, there is not much more to her character or her appearance here, making this new Black Widow feel like a waste of the concept in the latest film.

A new Black Widow is an excellent promise, but it’s also a lot to live up to. While there was nothing wrong with Ruth’s presence in the film, and while the actor did a serviceable job with the role as it was shaped, there was simply no reason for the character to be there. I wonder if it might have been better if Brave New World had simply kept the character as a generic, unnamed, background part of Ross’ security. At least this would give the character nothing to live up to, and therefore nothing to disappoint.

Why Introducing A New Black Widow In Captain America: Brave New World Was A Complicated Decision

The Film Is Full Of Characters, And Sabra Is A Controversial Figure

A lot of characters appeared in Captain America: Brave New World, which made it difficult to give Ruth any meaningful screentime. Several members of the Serpent Society were filmed and then cut from the film, which was overstuffed with characters both new and old. Alongside Red Hulk, Leader, a new Captain America, a new Falcon, and more, there was little room to do much with a new Black Widow. However, in addition to this, the character had a complex journey to the screen that was likely influenced by real-life events.

Ruth was originally intended to be the controversial Marvel character Sabra, although very little of the character’s comic book story made it into the film. I wonder if perhaps Ruth’s character was originally intended to have a bigger role, but it was cut up in reshoots. With continuing conflict in the Gaza Strip, bringing in an Israeli superhero could have caused controversy that would have affected the film’s box office success. Unfortunately, in the character’s reduced role, there was nothing interesting enough to justify her presence.

Thunderbolts* Can Make Up For Brave New World’s Black Widow Decisions

The New Film Is Set To Have A Greater Focus On Black Widow

Yelena Belova is the least likely to die in Thunderbolts*, and this is for good reason. Yelena is one of the best additions to the Marvel roster since Avengers: Endgame, and is the only genuine Black Widow replacement in the universe. While matching Natasha’s combat proficiency, and with a dark past that both mirrors and diverts from her sister’s, the character is now one of the best in the MCU. I’d argue that she has already become the perfect Scarlett Johansson replacement, but this can be solidified when she helps take on the villain in Thunderbolts*.

The decisions made concerning Black Widow in Brave New World didn’t really contribute to the plot, and there wasn’t really room for them in the story. With Ruth being such a minor character, there was little room to explore her story or the implications of her training. In Thunderbolts*, fortunately, Yelena is front and center, perhaps even functioning as the leader of the team. With Florence Pugh’s star having risen so high in recent years, the film now has the perfect opportunity to make her even more essential to the universe.

Why Thunderbolts* Is Naturally Set Up To Have A Better Black Widow Story

Many Of The Film’s Characters Have Links To The Black Widow Program

The upcoming film appears to have more room to feature a Black Widow, and also seems to have greater links to the Black Widow film. Several members of the Black Widow cast are set to appear, including David Harbour as Red Guardian and Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster. Given these links to the history of the Black Widow program and story, there is a great deal of room for Yelena’s story to be told. I believe that the character will become even more important to the Marvel Universe by the film’s end.

The story of Thunderbolts* appears to center around corruption and control, with the team historically being run by a twisted government organization. This mirrors how the Black Widow program worked in the Red Room. While the Black Widow story used more direct techniques of brainwashing, there are still significant links to what may happen with the Thunderbolts* team in the new film. This will likely play an important role in the film’s story overall, but especially for Yelena.

Replacing Scarlett Johansson in the universe is a difficult task, because the actor has to be replaced in two different ways. First, a character with significant story appeal needs to be brought in to take her place, ideally with links to the Black Widow program. While Ruth could arguably fulfill this role, her story was not given enough attention. More important, however, is that the new Black Widow must be a star who is as appealing as Scarlett Johansson. If Florence Pugh is not that well-loved yet, she will likely be after the events of Thunderbolts*.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
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  Spider-Man Homecoming 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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