Summary
- D23 2024 is offering first looks at several upcoming Disney projects, including those from Marvel Studios.
- The first look at Florence Pugh as Yelena Belove from 2025’s Thunderbolts* was shown in a sizzle reel at the Disney Entertainment Showcase panel.
- Pugh’s Yelena Belova looks fierce with a shorter haircut, hinting time has passed between Hawkeye and Thunderbolts*.
The first look at Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova in Thunderbolts* has been provided at D23 2024. Pugh is undoubtedly one of the standout members of Thunderbolts* cast of characters, not only for her popularity in Hollywood but Yelena’s fan-favorite status in the MCU. While upcoming Marvel TV shows will likely not feature the character, Thunderbolts* will be Pugh’s first cinematic story in the MCU since 2021’s Black Widow, with Screen Rant in attendance at D23 2024 to bring Marvel fans all updates on the franchise’s future.
For those in attendance at the fan convention, the House of Mouse shared an opening sizzle reel from the Disney Entertainment Showcase panel, shared by Fandango. This sizzle reel offered first looks at some of Disney’s future projects, with a dedicated section toward Marvel stories of the past. After Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha is seen in a snippet from Black Widow, a shot of Pugh as Yelena Belova, looking more like a Black Widow than ever, was spotted. The shot has never been seen before, proving to be from the upcoming Marvel movie, Thunderbolts*.
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Marvel’s Thunderbolts*: Cast, Release Date & Everything We Know
With an MCU Thunderbolts* movie officially in development, here’s everything that’s known so far including potential cast, story, & release date.
What Yelena’s New Black Widow Look Reveals About Thunderbolts*
Time Has Passed Since Yelena’s Last MCU Appearance
The last time Yelena was seen in the MCU was Hawkeye, in which she was shown trying to kill Clint Barton as she believed he was responsible for her sister’s death. However, Yelena was proven wrong by Clint and Kate Bishop, leading into her role in Thunderbolts*. The first look at the character from the D23 sizzle reel is admittedly brief, yet does hint some time has passed since Hawkeye.
For one, Yelena is sporting a new haircut. Rather than the longer hair she had in Hawkeye, Yelena’s hair is shorter, above shoulder-length, giving an indication that the film takes place a while after Hawkeye. Similarly, her outfit is like the one worn in Pugh’s recent Thunderbolts* set video, reverting to the more Black Widow look of the eponymous film. While only a fleeting look, the first look at Yelena in Thunderbolts* is only working to raise anticipation for the upcoming Marvel movie.
Thunderbolts (2025)
Marvel’s Thunderbolts is a superhero movie based on the comic team of the same name. The movie acts as a part of the MCU’s fifth phase of films. The film sees the likes of Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell, the Red Guardian, and more as an unlikely group of heroes and villains brought together to fight for good.
- Director
- Jake Schreier
- Release Date
- May 2, 2025
- Writers
- Lee Sung Jin