Actress Florence Pugh has credited Tom Holland with helping create the momentum that led to her appearance in the upcoming Marvel film Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Pugh, who plays Yelena Belova, also known as Black Widow, said Holland publicly expressed his interest in working with her years ago, helping fans imagine the possibility of their characters appearing together.
Holland Had Pugh in Mind for Spider-Man
Pugh discussed the story during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Looking back at the early stages of her association with Marvel, she explained that Yelena was not initially among the franchise’s most prominent superhero characters when Black Widow was released.
According to Pugh, Holland was asked during a red-carpet appearance for one of his earlier films which actor he would like to work with in a future Spider-Man movie. Rather than naming another major Marvel star, Holland reportedly singled out Pugh and said he wanted to work with the actress who played Yelena.
Pugh Says Fans Helped Build the Momentum
Pugh believes Holland’s comments had an impact beyond a simple expression of interest. She said fans quickly became excited about the possibility of seeing Yelena alongside Holland’s Peter Parker, turning the idea into something that generated wider conversation among Marvel audiences.
The actress suggested that the fan response helped set events in motion. While she did not provide specific details about the production process or how the casting decision was ultimately made, she directly credited Holland for helping start the chain of interest.
Pugh ended her comments by thanking Holland for his support, describing him as a good friend and expressing her appreciation for the role he played in bringing the possibility to life.
Pugh First Played Yelena in Black Widow
Pugh made her Marvel debut as Yelena Belova in Black Widow, which was released in 2021. The character was introduced as the younger sister figure of Natasha Romanoff, played by Scarlett Johansson, and quickly became an important addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Later that same year, Pugh returned as Yelena in the Disney+ miniseries Hawkeye. The appearance expanded the character’s connection to the wider Marvel storyline and gave audiences another opportunity to see Pugh in the role.
Thunderbolts Continued Yelena’s Story
Pugh subsequently reprised the character in Thunderbolts, the 2025 Marvel superhero film. The project brought together several established characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and further developed Yelena’s place within the franchise.
Her upcoming appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day will mark another chapter for the character. Details surrounding her role in the film remain limited, with Marvel keeping much of the plot under wraps ahead of its release.
Spider-Man and Yelena Share the Screen
Holland has played Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Captain America: Civil War in 2016. He later returned for the standalone films Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
With Pugh now joining the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the two actors will share a Marvel project after Holland’s earlier public comments about wanting to work with her. For Pugh, the connection has an added personal dimension, as she has now publicly acknowledged Holland’s role in helping generate interest around a potential collaboration.