Thunderbolts* might be the sequel to one film in the MCU that we never got to see. While Scarlett Johansson’s farewell film, Black Widow, managed to succeed at the pandemic box office, many critics and viewers unfairly judged it. The film told the story of Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff reuniting with her pseudo-family from her teen years when she was employed by Dreykov.

This family consisted of Melina Vostokoff, one of the Og Black Widows, Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, and Yelena Belova. The bond between the sisters was explored beautifully in the film. The film was intended as a passing of the baton from Johansson to Florence Pugh. In Thunderbolts*, Pugh is entering her newfound role in the MCU, making it a perfect Black Widow sequel.

Why does Thunderbolts* feel like a Black Widow sequel at heart? Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova in Thunderbolts* | image: Marvel Studios

The Thunderbolts...