Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has all but confirmed that Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova will swing into “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Speaking at an event in Shanghai, Feige teased the fan-favorite New Avengers leader while standing beside a Yelena cosplayer, handing fans two headlines in a single answer.
What Feige Actually Said
Feige told the crowd that fans of Yelena should wait until “Avengers: Doomsday,” where she plays a big part, but added that those who do not want to wait might see her a little bit sooner in the movies. The math is not complicated. The only Marvel film arriving before “Doomsday” is “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which opens July 31, making Feige’s tease a clear confirmation that Pugh’s character is part of the web-slinger’s next big-screen adventure.
Pugh had been rumored to appear in “Brand New Day” since last year, but she was notably absent from every trailer and TV spot, unlike other confirmed elements such as Spider-Man’s clashes with the Hulk and his team-up with the Punisher. That absence had left her involvement as one of the film’s lingering mysteries, and Feige has now effectively put it to rest.
Yelena’s Growing Role In The MCU
The confirmation continues Marvel’s steady elevation of Yelena Belova across the Multiverse Saga. Since her introduction in “Black Widow,” Pugh’s character has appeared in a “Hawkeye” cameo, led the team in “Thunderbolts,” and is now set to bridge the New Avengers, Spider-Man, and the studio’s next crossover event. Feige promised a significant role for her in “Avengers: Doomsday,” which follows on December 18, 2026, where she leads her New Avengers lineup into the multiversal showdown.
Given the crowded cast of “Brand New Day,” Yelena’s appearance may end up being closer to a cameo that sets up her larger “Doomsday” arc, but any crossover between Pugh and Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is sure to delight fans. With Sadie Sink’s mystery role and a Savage Hulk also in the mix, the film keeps looking like far more than a traditional Spider-Man story. As we noted when “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” tracked for the biggest opening of 2026, anticipation for the film is sky-high. You can read more on Feige’s comments at ScreenRant.
For the latest news and updates make sure to follow us on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Threads | Instagram
