Yelena Belova Is MCU's Only Successful

Marvel Studios has struggled to successfully replace its original Avengers team in the Multiverse Saga, with only one character standing out as a clear success according to a report from Screen Rant. The analysis suggests that while many new heroes are great characters, most have faced significant issues in their execution and future prospects within the franchise. You can track the broader cinematic universe on our fixtures page.

Several of Marvel's new Avengers replacements are considered great characters. However, being a great character is only one component of what made the original team work. These heroes also need compelling stories, effective utilization, and a clear future path, which has proven difficult to achieve.

Sam Wilson's journey is a prime example. Anthony Mackie's evolution from Falcon to Captain America in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is described as one of the MCU's most important Multiverse Saga stories. Despite this, his debut film, Captain America: Brave New World, was poorly received and underperformed, undergoing significant reshoots and story changes. The planned return of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers in Avengers: Doomsday risks overshadowing Wilson's version of the hero.

The situation for Iron Man's replacements is reportedly even more challenging. While Riri Williams is a fantastic comic character and Dominique Thorne has brought personality to the role, the Ironheart series was not a major hit and her future is unclear. Similarly, War Machine has not become the standalone hero intended, with the Armor Wars project still in limbo.

Jennifer Walters' She-Hulk also lacks a clear future following her 2022 Disney+ series, making it hard to position her as a full replacement for Bruce Banner. Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop is labeled a missed opportunity; despite an excellent debut in 2021's Hawkeye, she has only had a post-credits cameo in 2023's The Marvels since, with no follow-up. The report also notes it is hard to identify a genuine replacement for Thor. For more details on character arcs and team dynamics, visit our squad analysis.

In contrast, Black Widow's replacement has been handled effectively. Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, introduced in 2021's Black Widow, is presented as the exception because Marvel Studios has followed through on her potential.

Yelena did not simply become a copy of Natasha Romanoff. Instead, she was given a unique character and personality, including a distinct sense of humor and personal struggles, which have been featured across multiple MCU projects. Her story arc involved reconciling with her sister in Black Widow and later seeking revenge for Natasha's death in the Hawkeye series.

The character is positioned as one of the most important heroes heading into Avengers: Doomsday, having become the leader of the New Avengers as seen in the 2025 film Thunderbolts. That movie reportedly gave Yelena a substantial arc, exploring her depression and struggles before finding support among allies, allowing her to move beyond a dark past.

The broader question is whether Marvel can ever fully recreate the success of the original Avengers team. The report suggests the answer is probably not, but that this may not be a problem. What matters more is good execution earning audience investment, regardless of whether the heroes are replacements or new characters.

This execution is seen as particularly crucial for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. These films will assemble a vast collection of heroes, creating an opportunity to establish which characters will carry the MCU forward after the Multiverse Saga. Check the latest standings for how these upcoming films are positioned.

Yelena is cited as the clearest example of a successful transition. Sam Wilson still has enormous potential, Kate Bishop could and should return as a new Hawkeye, Riri Williams has room to grow, and She-Hulk should be featured again. The report's argument is that Marvel Studios simply needs to use these characters far more effectively to make them feel as indispensable as the original team once did.

While the MCU is expected to pivot towards the X-Men after Secret Wars, the analysis expresses hope that the heroes introduced in the Multiverse Saga will not be forgotten. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release in theaters on December 18, 2026.