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Over the years and over multiple film phases in the MCU, Kevin Feige and Marvel have ensured that they have kept the entertainment coming at a constant pace for their die-hard fans across the world. The franchise’s massive viewership is also a result of the plethora of huge superstars who have stepped on board to play some of the most popular superheroes.
British star Florence Pugh who was cast as Yelena Belova inBlack Widow, will now be front and center in MCU’sThunderbolts*which is set to hit screens in 2025. The actor in an interview in 2023, praised the franchise for its meticulous planning and scheduling of projects. This comment though, was called out by netizens on social media who quoted the current plight of Mahershala Ali’sBladeas an example.
Here’s Why Florence Pugh Has High Regard For The Marvel Franchise
There is no denying that Kevin Feige and team have done wonders for Marvel over the years. With a mammoth 6-film phase structure to carry the vast narratives of the comic books forward through theMCU, the franchise has ensured that fans are constantly stimulated and invested in the plot lines and the characters.
Florence Pugh is a Marvel star who has openly shown her appreciation for the franchise and its vision. The Oscar nominee applauded Feige and team for running a professional outfit with an immaculate planning strategy that enabled her to have the freedom to work in other projects. In an interview withVanity Fair, she said,
Working with Marvel has helped hugely. Their schedule is so precise—they know when they’re going to make it, when they’re going to release it. What that means is if you want to fill your time with other things, you have to do it amongst that.
You’re able to have a lot more leeway: ‘Oh, I’m going to be away doing this for this certain amount of time, so I need to make sure that I can get in a little indie here, or do a play.’
“Nope, you’re never gonna do that again”: Florence Pugh Was Heartbroken Working With Scarlett Johansson in Black Widow Over Original Avenger’s Marvel Exit
As Yelena Belova inBlack Widow, Pugh impressed viewers as she stood toe for toe with Scarlett Johansson in a film that received mixed responses from fans across the world. Now all eyes will be on theOppenheimerstar as she reprises her Marvel role in what will be a significant outing for her inThunderbolts*in 2025.
Fans Are Challenging Florence Pugh’s Praise For Marvel Through Mahershala Ali’sBlade
WhileFlorence Pughis a happy camper when it comes to her association with Marvel, a few realities about the franchise and its work ethic have been brought forth by netizens on social media.
While Pugh’s statement inVanity Fairabout the franchise having all their films and series planned out perfectly holds true for the most part, the fact remains that there are a few projects that have been affected by indefinite delays.
One of these films is the seemingly doomedBladestarring Oscar winnerMahershala Ali. The film which started its journey back in 2019 when Ali was officially cast as the vampire hunter, was set to begin filming in 2022 to be directed by Bassam Tariq.
But this is where the domino effect of problems began for the film. Firstly, Tariq was replaced by Yann Demange owing to continued changes in scheduling and production which Marvel confirmed in a statement toThe Hollywood Reporter.
In addition, aVarietyarticle reported a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. A lack of concrete direction in the writing seemed to make the narrative meander and possibly sideline the focus on the main character. All these issues have thrown a spanner into the works with the film now being pushed to a November 2025 release.
Florence Pugh Teases Thunderbolts is Getting 2 New Members Including a Major Hulk Villain
Taking these dilemmas into account, netizens questioned Florence Pugh’s statement about Marvel and its perfection with schedules by bringing upBlade’scurrent plight on social media and elaborating on their reasons for it.
Hehe, tell that to Mahershala Ali & Blade.
I think favoritism is rampant under Kevin Feige. She and Kathryn Hahn of Agatha got their movie project fast, while Blade and other projects are secondary.
— Dirkovian (@Redgerbil5)June 26, 2025
Meanwhile their latest Captain America doesn’t get any new project for over 3 years🙄 get real MCU
— Rusty The Ghost (@yeetwithglasses)June 16, 2025
Nothing to do with favoritism they just had/have no idea what to do with blade bc they probably announced it to get ali on board and without a plan/vision for the project so its taking time to get right
— __________ (@all_aloner)July 13, 2025
No? Like, the problems of Blade are more of script not actors agenda
— The_Elders_Of_Heaven🇮🇹 (@Lorenzo74209291)June 14, 2025
Blade and Captain America: Brave New Worldpic.twitter.com/z2vPeDX1EF
— Dan (@DansToyUniverse)June 11, 2025
To put this delay into context, discussions aboutBladebegan in 2019 during Phase 4 of the MCU. But the film will potentially see the light of day in 2025 which now pushes it into the Phase 6 agenda of the franchise. It now remains to be see how Feige and Marvel tackle this massive delay and keep their viewers invested.
Sharanya Sankar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1230
Sharanya Sankar, Writer for FandomwireHaving completed her Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Sharanya has a solid foundation in writing which is also one of her passions. She has worked previously with Book My show for a couple of years where she gained experience reviewing films and writing feature articles. Sharanya’s articles on film and pop culture have also been published on Film Companion, a popular film-based website. Apart from movies and pop culture, her interests include music and sports. She has contributed over 650 articles to Fandomwire so far.
