The emotional core of the 2021 Marvel film, Black Widow, a spy thriller directed by Cate Shortland, lies in the fractured yet fiercely loyal relationship between its two leads: Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) and her adoptive sister, Yelena Belova. The genuine, snarky, and ultimately loving chemistry displayed on screen by stars Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh was famously solidified by a hilariously awkward, unscripted moment involving a sweaty armpit.
The Unforgettable $200M Comment
The incident occurred early in the filming of the movie, which carried a massive production budget of approximately $200 million. Newcomer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Florence Pugh, recalled the moment taking place after a difficult fight sequence shot in hot weather while both actresses were wearing non-breathable costumes.
In a move that defined their burgeoning sisterly bond, Pugh affectionately wrapped her arms around the seasoned Avenger, Johansson. Instead of a supportive hug, Johansson’s reaction was famously blunt, leaning in to deliver the iconic and hilarious nine-word comment: “Wow! That’s a wet pit.”
The raw honesty of the moment immediately broke down the barriers of the high-stakes, big-budget set. Pugh admitted the embarrassment was instant: “It was within the first week of knowing her, and I died. It’s not what you want Scarlett Johansson to notice on the first week of filming!” This level of comfort and humor was crucial for the on-screen dynamic, which required the two characters to embody a contentious yet loving sisterhood, defined by “taking the p*** out of each other,” as Pugh put it.
Box Office Success and the Shifting Mantle
The strong relationship between the leads directly contributed to the film’s success, even as it navigated a complicated release during the global pandemic. The film, released on July 9, 2021, simultaneously in theaters and through Disney+ Premier Access, garnered a worldwide box office gross of over $379 million, including a reported $60 million from Disney+ Premier Access in its opening weekend alone. It received positive reviews, with many critics specifically highlighting the vibrant performances and the believable chemistry between Johansson and Pugh.
Black Widow was designed to serve as a farewell to Natasha Romanoff and a passing of the torch to Yelena Belova. This succession was confirmed almost immediately, as Florence Pugh reprised her role later that same year in the Disney+ series Hawkeye (2021), continuing Yelena’s story. Pugh is also confirmed to play a central role in the upcoming MCU team-up film, Thunderbolts*, set for release in 2025.
The “wet pit” anecdote, therefore, serves as the perfect, messy footnote to the creation of one of the MCU’s most authentic family bonds, successfully establishing Yelena Belova as a key figure in the franchise’s future.