MCU Phase 4: 10 Ways It's Setting The Stage For An Epic Phase 5
6. Yelena Belova Becomes The MCU's Black Widow
This was mentioned a little earlier, but Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova is definitely a character it will be worth keeping an eye on beyond Phase 4.
The Black Widow movie - now set to be released next May, an entire year after its original release date - is set between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, and if you've seen Avengers: Endgame, you'll know that things don't exactly end well for Natasha Romanoff. Her story is over, and that leaves her old mantle vacant.
Pugh's star is on the rise, and while her comic book counterpart has often been portrayed in a villainous light, recent tales have painted her as something of an anti-hero. Phase 4 definitely seems to be about passing mantles - Captain America, Hawkeye, Thor, etc. - and so there's no reason why Black Widow can't be among them.
Whether it's as part of the Thunderbolts or as an Avenger, Yelena being forced to follow in the footsteps of her "sister" will make for exciting viewing and ensures the hero is a big part of where the MCU goes next heading into that next batch of stories.