BLACK WIDOW: Saoirse Ronan Reportedly Turned Down Yelena Belova Role In 2021 MCU Movie

BLACK WIDOW: Saoirse Ronan Reportedly Turned Down Yelena Belova Role In 2021 MCU Movie

It's previously been reported that Saoirse Ronan turned down the chance to play the Scarlet Witch in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and it's now said she also declined the role of Black Widow's Yelena Belova...

By JoshWilding - Jan 04, 2024 08:01 AM EST
Filed Under: Black Widow

Marvel Studios' Black Widow movie was a long time coming, but it ended up falling in an odd place both in-universe and the real world. Following Natasha Romanoff's death in Avengers: Endgame, the decision was made to set her solo adventure between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War

Outside of the MCU, Black Widow arrived in theaters at a time when they were largely closed due to the pandemic. The movie was released simultaneously in multiplexes and on Disney+'s short-lived "Premier Access" service, prompting Scarlett Johansson to sue Disney for lost earnings. 

Overall, the movie was a fun experience and introduced several new characters. Among them was Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, a Black Widow who looks set to take her sister's place in the MCU if Hawkeye and the upcoming Thunderbolts are anything to go by. 

However, according to Deadline's Justin Kroll, Marvel Studios was eyeing Pugh's Little Women co-star and four-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan for the role. 

"The Saoirse thing, I’ve heard stuff she’s passed on. She passed on Florence’s role in 'Black Widow,' the sister," he revealed on The Town podcast. "Marvel has not been her cup of tea, and she was not interested."

This wouldn't be the first time she's turned down a Marvel role, however, as Ronan was also once courted to play the Scarlet Witch in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Before Elizabeth Olsen was cast, the actress even said she'd "love to be" in the next Avengers movie so we're not sure what changed.

It's hard to imagine anyone else playing Yelena now we've seen Pugh in the role, though Ronan would have been an undeniably impressive addition to the MCU.

Last August, Red Guardian actor David Harbour - who will reprise the role in What If...? season 3 and Thunderbolts - reflected on what was a pretty chaotic production with Black Widow

"I think they did want the opportunity to change some stuff. The interesting thing about Marvel that’s so great about them is they do rework stuff. Even big productions. Like 'Black Widow,' the entire third act was reworked as we were shooting, which is incredible. And so, they just want that freedom."

"The script we have is really tight and really great. And our director, Jake [Schreier], thinks it’s great. But they just want the freedom. They don’t want to be stuck in the middle of a shoot and then having to go like, 'We can’t rewrite this.'"

Black Widow is now streaming on Disney+. 

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lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 1/4/2024, 8:17 AM
She dodged that stone ... well at least with Ultron and the actual Black Widow Film.
Vigor
Vigor - 1/4/2024, 8:18 AM
Slight correction @JoshWilding

"Ronan was also once courted to play the Scarlet Witch in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron. "

Scarlet witch was in civil war, not winter soldier
Feel free to delete my comment after updating if you so wish
GhostDog
GhostDog - 1/4/2024, 8:22 AM
She always looked like a young woman and a middle aged woman at the same time
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 1/4/2024, 8:25 AM
She stays turning down these MCU roles
Vigor
Vigor - 1/4/2024, 8:40 AM
@FireandBlood - when a chick tells me no, I just keep it moving. Seems these mcu casting directors enjoy the chase!
Vigor
Vigor - 1/4/2024, 9:00 AM
@Sabre81 - you were on the other thread saying I was rude to people and now look at you. Projection is the only tool in you guys' book it seems. smh
I see your true colors
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 1/4/2024, 9:24 AM
@Vigor - This weirdo keeps following me around the site and I have no idea who tf he is or thinks he is 😂

One thing is for sure, though. He’s one sad, little man.
Vigor
Vigor - 1/4/2024, 9:26 AM
@FireandBlood - he offers nothing to discussion and instead cherry picks (let's be honest, he doesn't like left leaning and/or minorities) who he wants to bully. I was at first confused like, who-the-eff is this guy? But he's made his position pretty clear
mountainman
mountainman - 1/4/2024, 8:40 AM
Actors of her caliber don’t need CBMs. Wasn’t it DiCaprio that told Chalamet not to do them?
Conquistador
Conquistador - 1/4/2024, 8:43 AM
@mountainman - True, but same could be said of Pugh though, but i suppose she kind of became a bigger name around the time of her casting, Ronan been killing it since aged 13.
mountainman
mountainman - 1/4/2024, 9:06 AM
@UniqNo - Yeah, at the time of that casting, Ronan had a lot more going in her career than Pugh did. I also find Ronan to be a much better actress. Pugh is good. Ronan is a potential generational talent.

I haven’t seen Pugh’s entire catalog, but I’ve never seen a performance from her that I’ve been floored by. I’ve seen multiple from Ronan.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 1/4/2024, 9:28 AM
@mountainman -
I've not seen Midsommar but i heard it's good, and where she really took off after that Saraya/Paige biopic.

I've also heard that Braff movie he directed her in was a good indi.

As far as Ronan, i agree...An underrated gem here from someone so young at the time.

mountainman
mountainman - 1/4/2024, 9:37 AM
@UniqNo - Lovely Bones was one of the examples of Ronan’s talent.

I haven’t seen either of those examples for Pugh’s work either, so I can’t speak to them.

Either way, we should all understand when certain creative types are not interested in CBM’s. Overall, they are a commodity. There can certainly be projects that buck the trend and produce something really special. But those are the exception rather than the rule.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 1/4/2024, 9:44 AM
@mountainman - seroously, watch midsommar
mountainman
mountainman - 1/4/2024, 10:18 AM
@vectorsigma - It doesn’t look like the type of movie that appeals to me (not a fan of murder cults) but I do know that is one of her most appreciated performances. Maybe I will one day.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 1/4/2024, 10:55 AM
@mountainman - oh i see. I just find her performance there better than any ive seen from Ronan.
mountainman
mountainman - 1/4/2024, 10:59 AM
@vectorsigma - 100% fair. I like Pugh in what I’ve seen from her. Ronan does tend to mainly stick to Indies and dramatic roles, but Pugh has been more open to action and big budget stuff. I like her as Yelena and thought she was good in Oppenheimer. Very excited to see her as Irulan in the next Dune movie. Both great actresses! I just see Ronan as more of an “Oscar bait” actor and those types are less likely to take on CBM roles.
TheloniousJay
TheloniousJay - 1/4/2024, 8:56 AM
I've probably seen Ronan in something. But, she's not someone I remember. No hate. Just, not aware. So... I think FP was the better choice. Pugh is killing it with the role. With her accent and physical features, I believe she's really Russian.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 1/4/2024, 10:07 AM
@TheloniousJay - Ronan is an amazing actress, and lovely, but honestly, I can't see her in either role. I imagine she's happy to just go on winning awards for critically acclaimed films.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 1/4/2024, 9:12 AM
I want good actors in my cbms but Ronan's in a whole different league. I almost wouldn't want her to be stifled by having to be in an action movie with only token character moments. She's way too good for Marvel and she's way too good for us.
mountainman
mountainman - 1/4/2024, 9:58 AM
@ObserverIO - This is it right here. Daniel Day Lewis is never going to do a CBM. We may be lucky to occasionally get a Joaquin Phoenix or Glen Close in these movies. But any actor (or director for that matter) that doesn’t want to is not obligated to.
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