And the blame might lie squarely with one of the MCU’s most critically maligned shows.
Introduced inBlack Widow(2021), Yelena Belova quickly became a fan favorite.
Yelenas role was expanded inHawkeye(2021), where she stole nearly every scene she was in.
Next, Yelena is part oftheThunderbolts*cast, a film centered on morally gray antiheroes.
This wasnt just some throwaway enhancement Yelena could temporarily mimic the abilities of any nearby super-powered individual.
Sadly, her time with these powers was short-lived, as she died not long after.
Custom image by Ana Nieves
This is effectively the Super-Adaptoid gimmick.
The uniqueness of a power-mimicking character has already been taken and taken to an absurd extreme.
Giving Yelena a similar upgrade now would seem like a rehash ofSecret Invasion’s least-beloved twist.
Its a frustrating loss for those who saw Yelenas MCU future as a blank canvas.
And the worst part is that it was lost to one of Marvels most disappointing outings.
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Upcoming MCU Movies
