Ever since Stan Lee's final Marvel Cinematic Universe cameo, fans have debated who could ever fill that void. The obvious answer for many has been Deadpool, with Ryan Reynolds' fourth-wall-breaking Merc with a Mouth seemingly built for quick, meta gags. But Deadpool's very nature makes him the wrong choice. Lee's cameos were never about dominating the movie; they were about a brief, warm reminder that all these heroes share one universe. His appearances added a smile without distracting from the story.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day accidentally proves the MCU already has the perfect modern replacement: Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova. Not only is her surprise appearance a delightful treat, but she once again walks away with one of the film's most memorable scenes. This has become Pugh's signature throughout the MCU. She arrived late in Black Widow but instantly became a fan favorite, stole scenes alongside Hailee Steinfeld in Hawkeye, and served as an emotional anchor in Thunderbolts despite an ensemble packed with beloved characters. Now she's done it again in Brand New Day.
The remarkable part is that none of these appearances feel forced. Marvel isn't asking audiences to stop everything because Yelena has arrived. She simply shows up, effortlessly charms everyone, makes the movie better, and leaves before overstaying her welcome. That should sound familiar. Lee's cameos became traditions because audiences looked forward to them—not for plot changes, but for that brief moment of brightness. Yelena creates that same feeling.
There's another reason Yelena works so well in these smaller roles. The post-Endgame MCU has struggled to convince audiences that all these heroes actually inhabit the same world. Characters often disappear for years, and crossovers sometimes feel like advertisements for other projects. Yelena solves that problem almost effortlessly. Her background gives her plausible connections to intelligence agencies, enhanced individuals, the government, and street-level heroes. Whether the story is cosmic, grounded, political, or deeply personal, there's usually a believable reason she could cross paths with its protagonist.
That's exactly what happens in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. She isn't there to set up the next crossover event or tease another Avengers movie. She exists because Peter needs someone who understands the larger picture, and she's one of the few characters who naturally fills that role. It makes the universe feel lived in. Instead of every hero existing inside their own bubble, Yelena reminds audiences that these people actually know each other. That sense of connectivity has always been one of the MCU's greatest strengths, and it's something Marvel has been trying to recapture. Ironically, the solution may not be another massive crossover but simply letting Yelena pop in from time to time.
No one is replacing Lee, because his cameos meant something far bigger than simple Easter eggs. They honored the man who helped create so many of Marvel's greatest heroes. But Marvel absolutely can recreate the feeling those cameos inspired. Every Lee appearance made audiences smile before he slipped back into the background. Yelena has become the first MCU character who can accomplish something similar. Deadpool would inevitably become the focus of every cameo because that's who Deadpool is. Yelena never has to fight for the spotlight because Pugh naturally commands it anyway.
If Marvel Studios starts treating Yelena the way it once treated Lee—sprinkling her throughout the MCU whenever a story naturally allows it—audiences won't groan about another crossover or wonder how it connects to the next movie. They'll simply look forward to seeing her. And if Spider-Man: Brand New Day is any indication, she'll probably end up stealing the movie again. For more on how the film strengthens the shared universe, check out our analysis of its universe-building. And if you're curious about other surprise appearances, we've ranked the best cameos in the movie.
