Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is starting to take even more shape after July’s “Spider-Man: Far from Home.†Aside from recently announced films (and the return of a director), new casting additions have been made for long-discussed projects. In particular, a potential “Black Widow†solo movie may have just gotten an antagonist character.
Variety reports that Marvel Studios may have started discussion with actress Florence Pugh for a role in the “Black Widow†movie starring Scarlett Johansson. Her potential casting appears to have gone full circle, as she was among the first names to be dropped for the “second lead†role to Johansson, but was kept on the back burner while Marvel Studios considered other possible candidates, before ultimately setting back on her.
The decision to take on Pugh may have been due to positive reviews for her lead outing in “Fighting My Family†from MGM. She also has prior experience playing a spy of sorts in BBC and AMC’s “The Little Drummer Girl.†Scant notes about the probable plot of “Black Widow†would have Pugh’s role be that of a rival agent to Romanov, if the movie being a prequel rings true.
Jac Schaeffer has been tapped to write the story for MCU’s “Black Widow†delving into the origins of SHIELD operative Natasha Romanov, who in her original comic book source began as a Soviet KGB agent. Florence Pugh might portray Yelena Belova, a post-Soviet Russian spy that trained in the facility that produced Romanov and also used the Black Widow moniker.
Australian filmmaker Cate Shortland will direct the movie, which might be released as part of MCU Phase 4 but with no definitive premiere date yet.