In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is hard to imagine anyone other than Florence Pugh rocking a multi-pocketed tactical vest and making us laugh with her hilariously blunt delivery. But according to behind-the-scenes reports, the role of Natasha Romanoff’s witty “sister” almost belonged to a different British superstar: Emma Watson.
The internet is buzzing after details resurfaced about the casting process for the hit film ‘Black Widow’. Before production began, the Harry Potter alum was reportedly the top choice for director Cate Shortland and Marvel bigwigs Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum.
With Watson’s impressive resume, including her turn as Belle in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and her role in ‘Little Women’, she would have undoubtedly brought a sophisticated, female-Bond energy to the Red Room graduate.
How Florence Pugh Stole the Show
However, the tide turned when Shortland met with Marvel executives to discuss her vision for the action-packed film. While the director was already a massive fan of Pugh’s intense work in ‘Lady Macbeth’, it was actually a very different, unexpected role that caught the producers’ attention.
Marvel executives were reportedly blown away by Pugh’s performance in ‘Fighting with My Family’, where she played real-life WWE wrestler Paige. That role proved Pugh could handle the intense, physically demanding stunt work required for a Marvel superhero while maintaining a charismatic, grounded screen presence.
Shortland also had a hunch that Pugh’s unique energy would perfectly mirror that of Scarlett Johansson. Since the heart of ‘Black Widow’ relied on the bickering, deeply emotional sibling dynamic between Natasha and Yelena, that chemistry was non-negotiable.
Staying True to Herself on Set
Pugh’s background in dance and athletics did not hurt either, as it allowed her to perform the majority of her own grueling stunts. Despite the stiff competition, which reportedly included other Hollywood A-listers like Saoirse Ronan, Pugh officially nabbed the coveted part.
Once she arrived on set, the actress made sure to stay true to her values. A known advocate for body positivity, Pugh famously set ground rules regarding her fitness and diet, even bringing her own homemade food to set to avoid Hollywood’s often unrealistic beauty standards.
Fans React to the Marvel What-If
Fan response to Pugh’s casting has been overwhelmingly positive since the film’s release, with TikTok and X users frequently sharing clips of her iconic comedic timing and sibling banter. The revelation that Watson was almost Yelena has sparked a massive debate online, though most fans agree the final choice was perfect.
“I love Emma Watson, but Florence Pugh is Yelena,” one fan recently shared on social media. “The sarcasm is just unmatched.”
While we will never know exactly what Watson’s version of the character would have looked like, it is clear that Pugh has carved out a permanent place in the hearts of MCU fans. Following her debut, Yelena has already made waves in the Disney+ series ‘Hawkeye’, and her journey in the Marvel universe is only just beginning.
