Florence Pugh enthusiastic about Marvel's 'Thunderbolts*': "We did it properly"

Pugh is set to reprise her role as Yelena Belova, the Russian Black Widow.

Florence Pugh is eager for audiences to experience her return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the upcoming film Thunderbolts. 

Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE at San Diego Comic-Con on July 27, Pugh praised Marvel Studios for its dedication to creating a meaningful project. 

“The reason why it took so long to come together is [that] there would be no point in doing this story unless we did it properly,” Pugh explained.

The 28-year-old Oscar nominee will reprise her role as Yelena Belova, the Russian Black Widow, first seen in 2021’s Black Widow. 

She will join a cast that includes Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

Pugh emphasized the unique approach of Thunderbolts, noting, “There'd be no point in letting these characters come together and having their character arcs unless we actually spoke the truth about how they'd be feeling — and to come and make this movie in the way that we made it.” 

Although plot details remain confidential, the Jake Schreier-directed film will focus on a group of former villains now forming a new superhero team.

The Hall H panel at Comic-Con featured exclusive Thunderbolts footage, where Pugh noted the film’s distinctive nature. 

“I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel,” she said. Harbour, who also appeared at the panel, expressed his enjoyment working with Pugh, highlighting their complex onscreen dynamic. 

“There’s warmth and humor… but he’s a terrible narcissist. And she’s very dedicated to killing people,” Harbour remarked.

Thunderbolts is set to hit U.S. theaters on May 2, 2025.