Pugh Says Holland Helped Build Momentum for Spider-Man Role

Florence Pugh says Tom Holland’s public interest in working with her helped build momentum for her appearance as Yelena Belova in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Pugh described the connection during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, saying Holland’s remarks encouraged fans to imagine the characters together and helped start the ball rolling. The account does not establish that his comments determined the film’s casting decision. Pugh said the story began after she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe and appeared in Black Widow, when she felt her character was not yet as prominent as other superheroes. At a red-carpet interview, Holland was asked which character he would like to appear alongside in a future Spider-Man film. Pugh recalled that he named her and Yelena, rather than one of the more established superheroes mentioned in the question. At the 2021 premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Holland told Entertainment Tonight that he thought a Spider-Man and Black Widow movie featuring Pugh would be a fun twist. Pugh said fans became excited about the possibility after Holland’s comments, which helped generate interest in seeing the characters together.