Scarlett Johansson Talks About Passing On ‘Black Widow’ Mantle To Florence Pugh

Los Angeles: Actor Scarlett Johansson says she do believe that her “Black Widow” co-star Florence Pugh could succeed her as the titular superhero and take the franchise forward. After 10 years and seven films of playing the Russian superspy-turned- Avenger, Johansson is expected to bid adieu to the character of Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow with the upcoming film. Pugh, the star of films such as “Little Women” and “Midsommar”, plays the role of Yelena, Natasha’s sister, in the Cate Shortland-directed movie.

During an interview with Total Film, Johansson was asked about her view on the idea of Pugh’s Yelena taking over the mantle of Black Widow from Natasha. “I definitely felt that way from the very beginning. She stands completely on her own. She’s strong and different. She’s so different to Natasha. You also see the generational difference, too, in how they react to things, and what they’re careful about, or what they’re careless about,” the 35-year-old actor said. “It’s so fresh, what she does. It’s very representative, also, of who she is as a person. She’s unapologetic, and confident in herself, and curious, and brave, and emotionally brave far more than I ever was. And that stuff all comes through. It’s wonderful to feel like you’re witnessing something great happening,” she added.