Hollywood loves a good "passing of the torch" narrative. It’s clean. It’s marketable. When Florence Pugh joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Yelena Belova, the world assumed it was just a corporate handover. They figured Scarlett Johansson was punching her clock one last time, handing over the Black Widow keys, and heading for the exit.
But if you actually look at the footage from the Black Widow press tour or listen to how they talk about each other now, years later, you realize it wasn't a business transaction. It was a brawl. Literally.
On her very first day of filming, Florence Pugh wasn't doing a table read or getting fitted for a suit. She was throwing Scarlett Johansson against a doorframe. They were slamming each other into kitchen cabinets in a hot, cramped Budapest apartment.
Most actors would be walking on eggshells around a veteran who’s been the face of a billion-dollar franchise for a decade. Not Florence. She just went for it. Honestly, that’s probably why Scarlett liked her so much. There’s no ego there, just two women trying to make a fight scene look like a "sisterly" disaster.
The "Sweaty Pit" Incident and Instant Chemistry
You can’t fake the kind of rapport these two have. It’s kind of rare in an industry where everyone is "best friends" for the camera but doesn't share a text thread once the movie wraps.
During rehearsals, their director, Cate Shortland, tried to get them to do those goofy trust exercises. You know the ones—blindfolding each other, guiding each other around the room. It was supposed to build a bond. But the real icebreaker happened when they were physically wrestling.
👉 See also: Kanye West Wife at Grammys Uncensored: What Really Happened on the Red Carpet
Pugh has told this story a dozen times because it's hilarious: at one point during a take, Scarlett’s hand ended up in Florence’s armpit. It was mid-summer. It was gross. Florence was mortified. Instead of being "Hollywood" about it, Scarlett just looked at her and went, "That's a sweaty pit."
That was it. The wall was down.
When you see them on screen as Natasha and Yelena, that bickering isn't just good writing. It’s the energy of two people who actually find each other funny. Florence spent a good chunk of the movie "taking the piss" out of Scarlett’s iconic superhero landing pose. Most newcomers wouldn't dare mock the lead actress's signature move. Florence made it the emotional heartbeat of the movie's humor.
Mentorship Without the Ego
Scarlett Johansson has been playing Natasha Romanoff since 2010. By the time Black Widow came around in 2021, she was an executive producer. She had skin in the game.
She could have been protective of her space. Instead, she became a massive advocate for Florence. She’s gone on record calling Florence "the real deal" and a "fresh take" on the MCU.
It’s easy to forget how daunting it is to step into a Marvel movie. You aren't just acting; you're dealing with green screens, intense stunt schedules, and the weight of a massive fandom. Florence has admitted she felt out of her depth. Scarlett was the one telling her to preserve herself physically. She taught her that the "emotional grit" of a scene is actually more important than landing a perfect kick.
Why the Relationship Still Matters in 2026
Fast forward to where we are now. Scarlett's Natasha is technically gone from the main timeline, but her influence is everywhere. Florence Pugh is now leading the Thunderbolts* team, and Scarlett is actually a producer on that project.
They didn't just walk away from each other.
People always ask if they'll ever share the screen again. With the Multiverse, anything is possible, but honestly, their off-screen collaboration is more interesting. They've maintained this "big sister, little sister" dynamic that feels grounded in actual respect. When Florence walked her first Oscars carpet, she looked for Scarlett. When she was struggling with the scale of Thunderbolts, she reached out to the person who had done it for ten years.
Breaking the "Diva" Stereotype
The media loves to pit successful women against each other. "Who's the new IT girl?" "Is the older star jealous?"
With Florence and Scarlett, that narrative just fell flat. There was no competition because they are so fundamentally different as performers. Scarlett is precise, controlled, and has that classic movie star aura. Florence is raw, loud, and messy in the best way possible.
They didn't try to be like each other.
That’s the takeaway here. A lot of people thought Florence was just "the new Scarlett." She isn't. And Scarlett was the first person to say so. She knew that for the Black Widow legacy to continue, it couldn't be a clone. It had to be someone who could "take a nick" out of everything that came before.
What You Can Learn from the Pugh-Johansson Dynamic
If you’re looking at how to build a professional relationship that actually lasts, look at these two. It’s about:
🔗 Read more: Why 2013 Still Feels Like the Most Heartbreaking Year for Hollywood Fans
- Radical Honesty: If someone has a sweaty armpit, say it. Vulnerability is the fastest way to trust.
- Support Over Competition: If you're the veteran, open the door for the newcomer. It doesn't take away from your legacy; it builds it.
- Authenticity: Don't try to fit the mold of the person who came before you.
The "passing of the torch" wasn't a hand-off. It was an expansion. Scarlett didn't leave the room; she just moved to the producer’s chair to make sure the next person had the space to be just as weird and brilliant as she was.
If you want to keep up with how this partnership evolves, keep an eye on the production credits for upcoming Marvel phases. You'll see Scarlett's name right next to the projects Florence is leading. That's the real legacy.
Next Steps for Fans:
To really see the chemistry in action, go back and watch the behind-the-scenes "blooper" reels from Black Widow. You’ll see the tickle fights and the mid-fight laughter that defines their friendship. Also, check out the Thunderbolts* production notes—seeing Johansson’s name as a producer on Pugh’s lead projects is the ultimate proof that this bond wasn't just for the cameras.