Florence Pugh had already put herself on the map prior to starring in Black Widow with standout performances in Fighting with My Family and Midsommar.
However, joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduced the actress to her largest audience yet, and she's since gone on to star in Hawkeye and the upcoming Dune: Part Two. Her story as the new Black Widow will continue playing out in Thunderbolts, ensuring Pugh will remain a mainstay of this shared world.
Talking to TIME, the actress admitted that not everyone was happy to learn she'd be starring in a Marvel Studios blockbuster.
"So many people in the indie film world were really pissed off at me," Pugh reveals. "They were like, 'Great, now she’s gone forever.' And I’m like, no, I’m working as hard as I used to work."
"I’ve always done back-to-back movies. It’s just people are watching them now," she continued. "You just have to be a bit more organized with your schedule."
The actress definitely hasn't wiped her hands with lower-budgeted projects, as she recently headlined Zach Braff's A Good Person and has also shot a starring role in Netflix and Sebastian Lelio's The Wonder. Her star is definitely on the rise, though, as Pugh will also be seen in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer this summer.
As for Yelena Belova, after putting her desire to kill Clint Barton behind her in Hawkeye, it appears Valentina Allegra de Fontaine will convince the former Red Room assassin to join her new superhero team.
The Thunderbolts may continue to exist separately from The Avengers beyond the upcoming movie, though we'd be shocked if the Widow doesn't eventually assemble alongside the rest of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. After all, Scarlett Johansson clearly passed the baton to Pugh in Black Widow after bidding a final farewell to Natasha Romanoff.
Thunderbolts is set to be released in theaters on July 26, 2024.