Thanks to the Thunderbolts post-credits scene and the major cast announcement, we already know that Florence Pugh's Yelena is set to play a major role in Avengers: Doomsday. However, before she returns to the big screen in December, it sounds as though the anti-hero may dip into the MCU a little sooner than expected.
"If you're a fan of Yelena, wait until Avengers: Doomsday, Yelena plays a big part in that. But if you don't want to wait until then, you might see Yelena a little bit sooner in the movies,” said Marvel head Kevin Feige at Shanghai Expo in China, after a fan dressed as the hero joined him on stage. The clip has since been posted on Twitter.
However, the only other Marvel movie due to be released before Doomsday is Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which will hit the big screen at the end of July, 2026. So, that means that in addition to Jon Bernthal's Punisher, Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner aka Hulk, and Sadie Sink's mystery character, Pugh's former spy may also be in the mix.
It is important to note that Marvel Studios has yet to confirm whether Pugh will appear in Brand New Day. But, considering the Marvel timeline, Brand New Day may lead directly into Doomsday, meaning Yelena could appear in a post-credits teaser that sets up the new Avengers movie. The only other Marvel Phase 6 title set to release before Doomsday is TV show VisionQuest.
Feige's comment adds yet another layer of mystery to the upcoming Spidey movie. Despite the film hitting cinemas in just over two weeks, we still don't know who the movie's main big bad is. The first Spider-Man Brand New Day trailer gave us our first look at baddies Scorpion, Boomerang, and The Hand, but the new synopsis teased a villain that no one can see. Who could that be? Plus, we still don't know who Sadie Sink is playing, despite fans being convinced that the star will suit up as Jean Grey.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives this July 31, and Avengers: Doomsday hits screens on December 18. For more, check out our guide to all the upcoming Marvel movies and shows.
