Black Widow is now playing in theaters, so it's time to take a closer look at the film's post-credits scene.
There is only one of them, and it comes right at the very end of the credits, which is somewhat surprising when Marvel Studios usually gives us at least two teasers when the action ends. Regardless, this stinger was shot prior to the pandemic (as confirmed by director Cate Shortland) and ties into a couple of Disney+ TV shows. It also potentially sets up a big part of the MCU's future.
MAJOR SPOILERS FOLLOW!
THE POST-CREDITS SCENE
We find Yelena Belova's walking through a graveyard with a dog by her side, and soon learn that she's visiting the grave of Natasha Romanoff following the events of Avengers: Endgame.
It's covered in tributes, and Yelena places a small stuffed bear down before crying. We hear a somewhat obnoxious sniffing noise nearby, as the camera pans over to reveal Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. She complains about allergies caused by visiting the Midwest (where Natasha and Yelena spent their childhood), but the Widow doesn't seem interested in taking any more jobs from her.
However, when Val reveals that her next target is Hawkeye, Yelena seems far more intrigued especially after the mysterious character says Clint Barton was the one responsible for Natasha's death.
WHAT IT MEANS
It's unclear what Val is up to, but she's so far created her own "Captain America" in U.S. Agent and seems to have a Black Widow on the payroll too. We don't know why she's targeting Barton, but it could have something to do with the time he spent as Ronin, as that's who we see on her tablet.
As for Yelena, regardless of whether she was Blipped, it seems she has experience working with Val and may have continued being an assassin even after escaping the Red Room.
WHERE WILL WE SEE YELENA BELOVA NEXT?
It's previously been reported that Florence Pugh will reprise the role of Yelena in Disney+'s Hawkeye, so that's clearly where her story will continue. Setting her sights on Clint Barton could go a couple of different ways; she may learn the truth about Natasha's death and become a hero or head down a villainous route, taking "Ronin" down (leaving Kate Bishop to take up the mantle).
As for Val, it feels a lot like we could see her at pretty much any time in the MCU from here!
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