Watch: Black Widow trailer
Florence Pugh called Black Widow’s story a “horrifying” one about women who are victims of abuse.
The 24-year-old star will play Yelena Belova, the younger sister of Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff, in the Marvel blockbuster, directed by Cate Shortland.
The film, which is set between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, will see Natasha look back on her past and “pass the baton” to Pugh’s character.
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“The storyline we’re telling is very terrifying,” Pugh reveals in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Black Widow: The Official Movie Special Book.
“Essentially it’s a story about women who have been abused and trained to be killing machines.
Florence Pugh is interviewed in Marvel Studios Black Widow: The Official Movie Special Book. (Credit: Marvel/Titan Comics)
“As Scarlett has said many times, now is the right time for her to speak out. [Black Widow’s] It’s a story, and we make no attempt to hide the fact that this story is essentially a story of women reclaiming their lives.
“Plus, it’s a Marvel Studios movie, which is pretty unusual, so I’m super excited to be a part of it.”
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Pugh describes her character as an “annoying little sister” and says the bond between her and Natasha is at the heart of the film.
She says: “They are sisters who, after all, haven’t seen each other for a long time, so there’s a lovely and unique friendship that has developed between them.”
“They repair holes in each other’s lives.”
Florence Pugh in Black Widow (Photo credit: Marvel/Disney)
A feminist message will be a key part of Black Widow, with Johansson telling Empire magazine earlier this year that it’s “clear” that Natasha is a feminist.
She added that the film reflects the Me Too movement and could explore major issues from an MCU perspective.
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The star said: “I think it was really important to her, especially for Kate, to make a film about women helping other women and lifting other women out of very difficult situations.”
Black Widow is now scheduled for release in May 2021, more than a year after its original release date, due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus.
Marvel Studios’ Black Widow: The Official Movie Special Book is published by Titan Comics and is out now in the US, but awaits a UK release date.
WATCH: Johansson passes the baton to Pugh in ‘Black Widow’