Marvel fans are used to Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova stealing every scene with her love for “pockets,” her hilarious sarcasm, and her undeniable chemistry with Scarlett Johansson. But the MCU almost looked very different.
As it turns out, the role of Natasha Romanoff’s spunky “sister” was nearly filled by another Hollywood powerhouse: Emma Watson.
Long before Black Widow hit theaters in , reports swirled that the Harry Potter alum was the frontrunner for the role. At the time, the character was being described internally as a “kick-ass female Bond.”
While it’s hard to imagine anyone but Pugh in the role now, the news has sparked a massive “what if” conversation across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). Fans are debating how the tone of the film would have shifted if the woman who brought Hermione Granger to life had stepped into the boots of the Russian assassin.
In Black Widow, Pugh brings a gritty physicality and a youthful, petulant energy to the screen. Having previously played a wrestler in Fighting with My Family, Pugh was ready for the intense combat sequences—including that legendary kitchen fight with Natasha.
Watson, on the other hand, has historically gravitated toward more dramatic and polished roles. Aside from a brief, hilarious moment swinging an axe in This Is the End, the actress hasn’t leaned heavily into the action-hero genre.
If Watson had taken the role, fans speculate we would have seen a much more mature, graceful Yelena. Instead of the “little sister” who pokes fun at Natasha’s superhero posing, Watson might have leaned into a sophisticated, stoic version of the spy—perhaps more “Bond” and less “annoying sibling.”
The best way to see the contrast between the two stars? Look no further than ’s Little Women, where both actresses shared the screen.
In the Greta Gerwig hit, Pugh played the fiery and impulsive Amy March, while Watson played the traditional and poised Meg. That same dynamic likely would have carried over into the MCU.
Pugh’s Yelena brought a much-needed sense of humor and “childishness” to the often-heavy world of the Black Widows. Her organic bond with Johansson was so strong that real-life jokes between the two actresses even made it into the final script.
Social media users are torn on the casting revelation. “Florence Pugh IS Yelena. I can’t see Emma making the ‘pose’ joke work the same way,” one fan commented on X. Meanwhile, others are curious, with one TikToker noting, “Emma has that ‘refined spy’ energy. It would have been a totally different movie, but I’d watch it!”
Ultimately, Marvel’s gamble on Pugh paid off. The actress has become a cornerstone of the MCU’s new generation, with her post-credit scenes and appearances in Hawkeye cementing her as a fan favorite.
While we may never see Emma Watson suit up for the Red Room, it’s clear that the “Yelena that almost was” will remain one of Marvel’s most fascinating “multiverse” possibilities.
Unexpected Team-Up: Prince William and Emma Watson Unite for Change
Prince William had plenty to celebrate this weekend, but his latest public appearance quickly turned heads for a very different reason. After marking his 44th birthday and Father's Day with his family, the future king returned to royal duties—and made a surprisingly personal confession about the emotional toll of climate change.
William joined Hollywood stars Emma Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch at a United for Wildlife forum in London, an initiative he launched with the Royal Foundation in 2013. The organization works around the world to combat wildlife trafficking, environmental crime, and the destruction of endangered species.
But it was William's candid admission about his own fears that stole the spotlight.
The Prince of Wales revealed that climate change has caused him "sleepless nights," admitting he has struggled with anxiety about what the future could look like. Yet instead of allowing those fears to overwhelm him, William said seeing real progress through conservation efforts has helped keep his environmental anxiety under control.
He also delivered a powerful message to business leaders, urging them to become the kind of leaders they admired when they were children. With technology and innovation transforming the world at an incredible pace, William challenged CEOs to use their influence to create meaningful change.
The event launched London Climate Action Week, with more royal appearances expected, including the Earthshot Prize assembly.
Emma Watson also delivered a surprising revelation of her own. The Harry Potter star highlighted the fashion industry's enormous environmental impact, pointing out that it produces more emissions than aviation and ranks behind only oil among major polluting industries.
Watson, who is also pursuing a doctorate in philosophy at Oxford, shared a hilarious story about mistakenly believing paparazzi were following her. After spotting photographers with telephoto lenses, she arranged a distraction and escaped through another exit. The twist? They weren't photographing her at all. They were waiting to capture a red kite.
Meanwhile, Benedict Cumberbatch praised William as "a great guy" and urged businesses and individuals to recognize that they can still make a difference, even when global environmental challenges appear overwhelming.
With William, Watson, and Cumberbatch joining forces on the issue, the London forum delivered a clear message: the fight against environmental destruction is becoming impossible for the world's biggest names to ignore.
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