Saoirse Ronan Expresses Preference for James Bond Role Over Marvel Movies Amid Black Widow Casting Rumor

During a recent episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Irish actress Saoirse Ronan shed light on persistent speculation regarding her potential role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Fans of the acclaimed star of Little Women might be intrigued to discover that Ronan was, at one point, in negotiations to portray Yelena Belova in Marvel’s Black Widow, a role that ultimately went to Florence Pugh.

When host Josh Horowitz inquired if she had ever been a candidate for the character, Ronan’s reply was deliberately ambiguous.

“Um, how did you hear about that?”she responded, suggesting that the casting rumor had been making the rounds.

Despite the mystery surrounding her answer, Saoirse Ronan refrained from giving a clear confirmation, prompting fans to ponder the possibilities. “I don’t know,”she chuckled, evading the question, while Horowitz interpreted her hesitation as an indication that the rumors might have some truth.

Although Ronan didn’t affirm her connection to the Black Widow casting discussions, she did express her thoughts on potentially joining the MCU. While she holds admiration for the franchise, she conveyed that she doesn’t envision herself as part of it.

“I can’t see myself doing Marvel,”she confessed. “I don’t… no, I would prefer to do Bond.”

Saoirse Ronan has her sights set on a Bond role

The Oscar-nominated actress’s preference for the James Bond series over Marvel films illustrates her interest in more varied roles. Nonetheless, she doesn’t entirely dismiss the allure of major film franchises.

“There’s nothing wrong with [Marvel] and I think they’re brilliant films. I want to do more big movies,”

Ronan mentioned, noting that the present climate of the film industry makes it a “luxury”to be involved in projects with a guaranteed audience.

While she has a passion for independent filmmaking, Saoirse Ronan admitted her growing fascination with larger productions. A pivotal moment for her occurred after watching Barbie (2023), directed by her former collaborator Greta Gerwig.

“I wanna do that! Of course, I want to do that stuff,”she expressed, eager to participate in grand cinematic experiences. “I like big shows, and I want to be in a musical, and I want to do all that,”she added, alluding to her expanding aspirations for her career.

Although she doesn’t regret missing out on the role of Yelena, Saoirse Ronan confessed to feeling a tinge of disappointment about not landing another iconic role—Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series.

“There are things you’ll pass on, and then they come out, and you think, ‘Oh God, that was a misstep on my part,’”she shared in a past interview with Jimmy Kimmel.

The character of Luna Lovegood is one she continues to wish she had played, describing it as the role that has “stayed with her”throughout the years.

Ultimately, the role of Yelena Belova in Black Widow was filled by Florence Pugh, who also starred alongside Ronan in Little Women. Pugh’s rendition of Yelena has quickly become a fan favorite, and she has reprised the role in subsequent MCU installments, including the Disney+ series Hawkeye.

Pugh will return as Yelena in the upcoming Marvel film Thunderbolts, which is scheduled for release on May 2, 2025.

Even though Saoirse Ronan might have forwent the chance to join the MCU, she remains open to future blockbuster opportunities. Her fans can anticipate her taking on an array of roles in the near future, potentially including her aspiration to feature in a James Bond film or a musical.

Ronan’s future projects include a leading role in Blitz, a war drama directed by Steve McQueen, set to debut in 2024. Viewers can look forward to seeing her in new and diverse roles soon.

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