The crux of Marvel Studios’ latest Disney+ series, Hawkeye, was Kate Bishop and her interactions with her mentor and hero, Clint Barton. However, Bishop actress Hailee Steinfeld arguably had even better chemistry with another member of the show’s cast, Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh.
Yelena Belova was one of the standouts in 2021’s Black Widow, with Pugh truly holding her own opposite Marvel legend Scarlett Johansson. Her character hit new highs in Hawkeye, especially when on screen with Bishop. This would be the perfect pairing for an upcoming Disney+ series.
Hawkeye and Black Widow have always had a close relationship, beginning with the comics source material. Barton and Natasha Romanoff have been frequently portrayed as romantic partners in the comics, something that didn’t come to fruition in the MCU. However, their relationship was arguably improved by the creatives’ decision to steer clear of a romance, as their close friendship bordering on sibling bond was refreshing and unique. Beyond that, Romanoff and Barton are together in the Avengers in the comics, often paired on missions together, and have even been pitted against each other at times.
In the MCU specifically, Hawkeye and Black Widow’s relationship began in 2012’s The Avengers, where the two have a history together, unlike some other members of the team who were meeting each other for the very first time. Here, they reference the events of Budapest, a common callback to an occurrence that for years was never fully expanded upon. Their relationship continues in Age of Ultron, the follow-up to the 2012 film, in which Romanoff is portrayed as an aunt-like figure to Barton’s young children. Despite differing from some comics in certain ways, it’s a heartwarming relationship.
Their last film together, Avengers: Endgame, was arguably the most monumental and impactful display of Hawkeye and Black Widow’s relationship. The two were paired together to collect the soul stone on Vormir, the planet with seemingly no inhabitants bar the villainous Red Skull. It proved to be one last adventure for the two, as Black Widow sacrificed herself, so the remaining Avengers could obtain the infinity stone needed in order to bring everyone back. As fans will remember, Hawkeye wanted to put himself forward to get the stone, proving how selfless each character is. Romanoff won out, and said goodbye to her longtime friend in an incredibly emotional scene. Overall, the Hawkeye-Black Widow relationship has been one of the core dynamics in the MCU so far.
The MCU is now in another wave of their ever-expanding franchise. Many mantles like Captain America, for example, have been handed down to characters to succeed the original hero. Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, originally Falcon in the Marvel movies, took the Captain America mantle at the end of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. The succession from Steve Rogers to Sam Wilson is one that also occurred in the comics.
Kate Bishop and Yelena Belova are two characters that became Hawkeye and Black Widow in the comics, and look set to eventually do the same in the MCU as well. If a Disney+ show starring these two as the leads came to fruition, it would be an opportunity to continue the relationship between Hawkeye and Black Widow, albeit with different individuals in the hero mantles. With the MCU expanding and changing so much, keeping a deep bond between Hawkeye and Black Widow could prove to be a useful piece of consistency for the franchise.
Of course, Steinfeld and Pugh have excellent chemistry ever since their first scene together. Steinfeld plays the role of Bishop with a youthfulness and innocence that makes the series overall much more enjoyable, as her heartfelt reactions to Barton and the world of superheroes more broadly mirroring how many fans feel when watching a Marvel project. Meanwhile, Pugh was more of a known entity when making her entrance in Hawkeye, given her first appearance was in Black Widow. Despite being Johansson’s send off movie, it was Pugh who arguably stole the show with an excellent performance.
As good as these two are individually, they were even better when paired together. Belova appears to Bishop in her apartment, with Barton away, leaving plenty of the time for the two to talk. It was the perfect scene to show off their amazing chemistry, as they had the chance to get to know each other in a conversation full of revelations, humor, and heart.
In particular, Belova and Bishop’s relationship and interactions feel incredibly natural. In a franchise with an abundance of CGI and green screens, (not that those are negative traits), Steinfeld and Pugh’s chemistry adds a personal touch and refreshingly human relationship. Even as they only had a handful of scenes together, with Pugh herself only appearing in three of the six episodes of the show, the new iterations of Hawkeye and Black Widow already have an established history and dynamic together, and one that is almost certain to be built upon.
Belova and Bishop have a playful, back and forth banter that is one of the core reasons for their phenomenal chemistry. Belova is a character that can get quite serious, as her action-filled entrance in Hawkeye demonstrates, but is also capable of lightening the mood with distinct personality. This uniqueness was seen in Black Widow, as she had many serious conversations with her adopted sister as well as quite a bit of sarcasm and one-liners. This carried over into Hawkeye, except this time with Bishop to bounce off of, and in particular the freshness that Steinfeld brings to the character. Bishop has never experienced anything like this before, meaning she became excited at even the smallest of things, while Belova was an assassin with years of training. This contrast proved particularly interesting and fun, adding to their dynamic overall. All of this is more reason for these two to lead a Disney+ series.
A Disney+ series would be the best place to do this. Marvel movies are becoming increasingly saved for event films like Spider-Man: No Way Home, with characters like Vision, Wanda Maximoff, and Hawkeye moved to starring roles on Disney+. A series would be the most natural place for Belova and Bishop to continue their journeys, as an extended period of several episodes would give their dynamic the proper time to develop further and allow fans the opportunity to see a great deal of these two heroes.
Disney+ is already set to be the future home to many Marvel characters, such as She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel, and more. Moon Knight, Werewolf By Night, and others are also set to join the universe on the streaming platform, highlighting the characters getting their chance to shine in a starring role. With so many new heroes being put into the spotlight on the streaming service, it seems Disney as a studio would have no problems green lighting a Bishop and Belova series.
Kate Bishop and Yelena Belova are two characters that seem certain to crop up again at some point in the near future, and it would be fitting if they were to appear together, given the amazing chemistry they have. With so many other characters getting their chance to star in a solo project, it seems only fair that Kate Bishop and Yelena Belova get a Disney+ series.