Florence Pugh reveals she was ‘scared’ of doing a Russian accent for her role in Black Widow


Florence Pugh reveals she was ‘scared’ of doing a Russian accent for her role in Black Widow and found joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe ‘daunting’

Florence Pugh has admitted she was ‘scared’ of doing a Russian accent for her role in Black Widow.

The actress, 24, revealed her misgivings while talking with ELLE UK on Wednesday about her role as Yelena Belova in the forthcoming Marvel flick, a sister figure to Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff.

Saying it was ‘daunting’ to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Little Women star explained: ‘I was scared because my Russian accent was going to be out there and I didn’t know what it sounded like.

Fears: Florence Pugh revealed on Wednesday that she was ‘scared’ of doing a Russian accent for her role in Black Widow and found joining the Marvel ‘daunting’ (pictured in February 2020)

‘I’m also playing a character who no-one’s seen before but they’ve read about her. I didn’t know whether people were going to hate me!’

While she said of being part of the superhero juggernaut: ‘When you think of Marvel, it’s big and daunting. 

‘Especially being a relatively small actor to look at it and go, “Oh! I’m going to be a part of this”, that’s a big decision.’

'Daunting': The Little Women star said of her character: 'I was scared because my Russian accent was going to be out there and I didn't know what it sounded like'

‘Daunting’: The Little Women star said of her character: ‘I was scared because my Russian accent was going to be out there and I didn’t know what it sounded like’

Florence also shared her delight at finding Scarlett felt as nervous as she did during the Black Widow announcement at San Diego Comic Con last year.

‘Scarlett gave me her hand and we squeezed each other, and she also had clammy hands!’ she said. ‘And then I was like, “Oh, this never gets old. This is just as powerful [for you] and you’re their legend!”‘

The film, directed by Cate Shortland, also stars Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff, an experienced spy trainer who serves as a mother-figure to Natasha. 

Role: Florence plays Yelena Belova in the forthcoming Marvel flick, a sister figure to Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff (pictured)

Role: Florence plays Yelena Belova in the forthcoming Marvel flick, a sister figure to Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff (pictured)

Full interview: The June issue of ELLE UK is on sale now

Full interview: The June issue of ELLE UK is on sale now

In April, a slate of Marvel projects got new release dates brought about by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic including Black Widow.

The standalone film was originally set to be released on May 1, but has now been moved to November 6.  

The Eternals, whose cast includes Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek, was also moved to next February 12 from its original release date of November 6, 2020.

While Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings was moved to May 7, 2021 from the previously planned February 12, 2021, Chinese New Year.

The June issue of ELLE UK is on sale now.

During this climate, readers are able to get ELLE UK delivered to their door, either by purchasing a single copy via www.magsdirect.co.uk/elle, or subscribe today and get 6 issues for £6 at www.hearstmagazines.co.uk.

Delayed: In April, a slate of Marvel projects got new release dates because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic including Black Widow which will now come out on November 6

Delayed: In April, a slate of Marvel projects got new release dates because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic including Black Widow which will now come out on November 6