Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova is absolutely owning it in Marvel’s Thunderbolts, and it’s no shock—she’s emerged as the emotional glue of the MCU’s scrappy New Avengers. According to ComicBook.com, the film, which hit cinemas on 2 May, gives Yelena her biggest moment yet, setting her up for a cracking role in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday. From her Red Room days to leading a gang of misfits, Yelena’s arc in Thunderbolts proves she’s not just Natasha Romanoff’s sister—she’s a hero ready to steer the MCU into its next chapter. Here’s how Thunderbolts gets her ready to shine against Doctor Doom and why fans are proper buzzing about her future.
Yelena’s Thunderbolts Arc: From Lost to Leader
Thunderbolts chucks Yelena into a chaotic crew of antiheroes—Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, John Walker, Ghost, and Taskmaster—rounded up by the dodgy Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The film zeroes in on Yelena, who’s wrestling with depression and loneliness after losing Natasha in Avengers: Endgame. She starts off in a dark place, drowning her sorrows in booze, feeling like she’s got no purpose, as she tells Val, “I’m not focused, I’m not happy, and I have no purpose”.
But Thunderbolts isn’t just about her low points—it’s about her finding a new family. The film’s big reveal is that Val’s squad isn’t just a one-off; they’re the New Avengers, unveiled to the world at a press conference. Yelena steps up as their moral compass, forging tight bonds with her teammates over their shared baggage. A standout moment comes when she connects with Bob, aka Sentry, helping him wrestle his dark side, the Void, by showing him he’s not on his own. It’s classic Yelena—tough as nails but with a soft side, turning pain into strength.
Setting Her Up for Doomsday
Thunderbolts wraps with a post-credits scene that’s got fans proper hyped for Avengers: Doomsday, slated for 1 May 2026. A “massive space crisis” jumping 14 months forward, showing the New Avengers as a proper team facing weird atmospheric oddities. This sets Yelena up to “reach new heights” against Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, with her Thunderbolts growth—learning to lead and lean on mates—being her armour against the MCU’s next big villain.
Yelena’s pegged as co-leader with Bucky, meaning she’ll have to keep her rowdy lot in line while butting heads with Sacred Timeline heroes who aren’t chuffed about the New Avengers. Her mental health struggles, a huge focus in Thunderbolts, make her dead relatable, and her knack for rallying the team—like calming Sentry’s Void—shows she’s got what it takes to face Doom’s cosmic chaos. She’s not just fighting; she’s holding the squad together, proving she’s the heart of this new era.
Why Yelena’s Perfect for This
Pugh’s Yelena has been a fan fave since her cheeky debut in 2021’s Black Widow, bringing wit and depth to the Red Room assassin. Thunderbolts cements her as the MCU’s new Black Widow, but with her own vibe. Unlike Natasha, who carried the early Avengers, Yelena’s a fresh face without the old baggage, making her spot-on to lead the post-Endgame world. Her ability to connect—like bonding with her team over their rough pasts—shows she’s got the chops to inspire, even if fans are a bit miffed her dog Fanny’s gone AWOL.
Smartly, the film skips a Yelena-Bucky romance, keeping her story about mates and finding herself. Her bond with Alexei and the crew gives her a new sense of purpose, prepping her to tackle Doomsday’s stakes with a team she trusts. With Marvel rebranding Thunderbolts as The New Avengers, it’s clear Yelena’s the face of this squad, especially after Taskmaster’s shock early exit left her carrying the emotional load.
Any Snags?
It’s not all smooth sailing. Some fans are narked about a plot hole: why’s Yelena still working for Val after learning she fibbed about Clint Barton in Hawkeye? ComicBook.com reckons her depression might explain it—she’s lost and takes the gigs anyway. A cut scene where Yelena called out Val could’ve sorted this, but it’s a small hiccup in her otherwise ace arc. Pugh’s confirmed Doomsday return has fans proper excited.
What’s Next for Yelena?
Thunderbolts is tearing it up in cinemas, with critics calling it a “proper return to Marvel’s best days,”. Yelena’s journey from lost assassin to New Avengers leader sets her up to be the MCU’s beating heart in Avengers: Doomsday. Facing Doctor Doom, she’ll need her Red Room skills and that new family vibe to hold strong. The Thunderbolts post-credits scene is a massive hint for what’s coming. With Pugh’s star power and Yelena’s grit, she’s ready to take on the multiverse. Grab your Thunderbolts tickets—this is just the start of her takeover.
Source: Comicbook.com
