It’s hard to imagine anyone else wearing the “vest with many pockets,” but the Marvel Cinematic Universe almost looked very different.
While Florence Pugh officially stole our hearts (and every scene she was in) as Yelena Belova in ‘s Black Widow, Hollywood insiders are buzzing over the fact that another massive star was nearly handed the keys to the Red Room: Emma Watson.
That’s right—the Harry Potter alum was reportedly the top choice for director Cate Shortland and Marvel bigwigs Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum before production kicked off in .
Fans on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) have been losing it over the “what if” scenario, debating whether Watson’s poised, “female Bond” energy would have worked alongside Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff.
While Watson’s incredible resume—from Beauty and the Beast to Little Women—made her a frontrunner, the role ultimately went to Pugh for a very specific reason.
It turns out, Marvel producers were blown away by Pugh’s performance in the biographical film Fighting with My Family, where she played professional wrestler Paige.
Director Cate Shortland admitted to The Hollywood Reporter that while she loved Pugh in Lady Macbeth, it was her ability to handle physically demanding stunts and maintain a charismatic edge that sealed the deal for the studio.
“I had foreseen Pugh’s ability to match Johansson’s energy on screen,” Shortland noted, emphasizing that the sibling dynamic between the two was the heart of the film.
Pugh’s background in dance and athletics didn’t just help her land the job—it allowed her to perform many of her own stunts, bringing a raw, gritty authenticity to the character that fans have come to adore.
But the -year-old actress didn’t just show up; she set her own ground rules for joining the billion-dollar franchise.
Known for being a fierce advocate for body positivity, Pugh insisted on overseeing her own fitness regimen and even brought her own homemade food to the set. She has been vocal about refusing to alter her appearance to fit narrow Hollywood beauty standards, a trait that makes her even more like the blunt, honest Yelena.
While Watson would have undoubtedly brought a sophisticated spin to the role, fans are largely in agreement that Pugh’s comedic timing and “annoying little sister” energy were exactly what the MCU needed.
Watson wasn’t the only one in the running, either. Reports suggest that Lady Bird star Saoirse Ronan and Alice Englert were also considered for the part before the search ended with Pugh.
Fortunately for us, this was just the beginning for Yelena Belova. After her emotional arc in Black Widow and her hilarious-yet-deadly turn in the Disney+ series Hawkeye, it’s clear that Florence Pugh is here to stay.
As for Emma Watson? We’re sure she’s doing just fine, but we can’t help but wonder if there’s a different superhero suit in her future!
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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