That was how Florence Pugh chose to describe her experience stepping into the Marvel Cinematic Universe — a world known for its scale, scrutiny, and unrelenting pressure — and how Scarlett Johansson quietly made it survivable.

Joining the Marvel machine can be petrifying, especially for an actor entering a franchise with a decade of history, a fiercely protective fanbase, and an industrial-level production rhythm. For Pugh, Black Widow was not just another role — it was her MCU debut, her first immersion into a system that can overwhelm even seasoned performers. But she didn’t face it alone.

In a recent reflection, Pugh revealed that Johansson took on an unspoken role far beyond co-star or producer. From the very first days on set, Johansson positioned herself as a buffer — between Pugh and the noise, the hierarchy, and the invisible pressures that come with being “the new one” in a global franchise.

According to Pugh, Johansson was intentional about creating a sense of safety. She checked in constantly. She explained how things worked when no one else thought to. She stepped in during moments when boundaries could have blurred, making sure Pugh never felt exposed, rushed, or dismissed. “She didn’t announce it,” Pugh said. “She just did it.”

That protection mattered more than audiences ever realized.

Marvel sets are famously efficient — fast, technical, and enormous. Newcomers are expected to adapt instantly, often while performing emotionally heavy scenes surrounded by green screens, crews, and tight schedules. Pugh admitted that without Johansson’s presence, the experience could have felt isolating. Instead, Black Widow became what she described as a “safe haven.”

Johansson, who had carried the role of Natasha Romanoff for years, understood the cost of that environment. By the time Pugh arrived, Johansson had already navigated the pressures of being scrutinized, sexualized, underestimated, and placed under impossible expectations. Rather than letting Pugh learn those lessons the hard way, she absorbed the impact herself.

Insiders say Johansson was deliberate in how she used her influence. As both lead actor and producer on Black Widow, she had authority — and she used it to protect tone, pacing, and emotional space. If something felt off, she addressed it. If Pugh needed time, she created it. If a line crossed into discomfort, she redirected it without drama.

What makes the story resonate is its contrast to the common narrative of competitive Hollywood dynamics. There was no rivalry. No insecurity. Just mentorship rooted in experience. Pugh has repeatedly emphasized that Johansson never made her feel smaller — only steadier.

“She made sure I felt like I belonged there,” Pugh shared. “That changes everything.”

The impact extended beyond the set. Pugh said Johansson prepared her for the aftermath — the interviews, the online reactions, the sudden visibility. She warned her about how quickly narratives form, how easily performances are reduced to headlines, and how important it is to hold onto perspective. That guidance, Pugh noted, proved invaluable once the film was released.

Industry observers point out that this kind of protection is rare — not because stars lack kindness, but because the system rarely incentivizes slowing down for someone else. Johansson’s choice to do so reflects a shift in how women in Hollywood are redefining power: not as dominance, but as responsibility.

For fans, the revelation reframes Black Widow itself. What audiences saw on screen — the bond between Natasha and Yelena — was mirrored behind the scenes. Trust wasn’t just written into the script; it was practiced daily. That authenticity, many believe, is why the relationship resonated so deeply.

Pugh has since become a central figure in the MCU, carrying forward a legacy Johansson helped shape — not by control, but by care. And while Johansson’s chapter as Black Widow has closed, her influence clearly hasn’t.

In a franchise built on spectacle and strength, this story highlights something quieter but just as powerful: the importance of someone standing beside you when the lights are brightest and the pressure is highest.

Florence Pugh entered Marvel as a newcomer.
She left Black Widow knowing she was protected.

And that, she says, made all the difference.