The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has long been known for its blend of action, drama, and humor. Over the years, the franchise has seen its fair share of memorable comedic moments, many of which have been the result of improvisation by its talented cast. One such instance that stands out is Florence Pugh’s improvised scene in the Disney+ series “Hawkeye,” which has quickly become one of the funniest moments in the show.
The MCU has often been criticized for its over-reliance on humor, with some jokes not aging well and others feeling forced. However, there was a time when humor was used more judiciously, contributing significantly to the success of the franchise. A prime example of this is “Thor: Ragnarok,” where director Taika Waititi and actor Chris Hemsworth reinvented Thor with a more comedic persona, largely through Hemsworth’s knack for improvisation.
Improvisation has played a crucial role in shaping the comedic tone of the MCU. From Tom Hiddleston’s callbacks in “Loki” to Chris Pratt’s spontaneous F-bomb in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” these unscripted moments have added a layer of authenticity and humor to the franchise. Florence Pugh’s contribution to “Hawkeye” is a testament to this tradition.
In a 2021 interview with Buzzfeed, directors Amber Templemore-Finlayson and Katie Ellwood, known collectively as Bert and Bertie, discussed their experience filming “Hawkeye.” They revealed that many of the show’s humorous moments were the result of improvisation by the actors. One standout moment came from Florence Pugh, who plays Yelena Belova, the sister of Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow.
During the preparation for a scene in episode five, where Yelena breaks into Kate Bishop’s (played by Hailee Steinfeld) apartment, Pugh noticed the lack of cutlery props on the set. This observation led to an improvised joke that made it into the final cut. In the scene, Yelena opens a drawer, takes out a fork, and quips, “You have one fork?” to which Kate replies, “I’m one person.” This spontaneous addition not only added humor but also helped flesh out the characters.
The directors explained that during rehearsals, Pugh realized she needed some implements for the scene. She picked up the lone fork and exclaimed, “There’s one fork! There’s only one fork!” This realization led to the props team scrambling to find more forks, but they only had plastic ones. This resulted in the scene featuring one proper cutlery fork and one plastic fork, which added to the humor.
Hailee Steinfeld’s response, “I’m one person,” was also improvised, showcasing the natural chemistry between the two actors. The directors noted that this moment was funny and very much in line with Kate’s character, highlighting how well MCU humor can work when it supports the story and characters rather than distracting from them.
Florence Pugh’s improvisation in “Hawkeye” is reminiscent of other iconic MCU moments. While it may not be as grand as Chris Hemsworth’s improvised lines in “Thor” or the spontaneous banter between Hemsworth and Chris Evans in “Avengers: Infinity War,” it is a perfect example of how small, unscripted moments can enhance a story. The fork scene in “Hawkeye” is a testament to the power of improvisation in creating memorable and relatable characters.
The directors also shared that the chemistry between Pugh and Steinfeld was evident from the start. During the filming of their dinner scene in episode five, the actors brought a lot of improvisation to the table. The scene, which involved Yelena eating mac and cheese with hot sauce, was filled with unscripted moments that added depth and humor to their interaction.
Pugh’s love for hot sauce and Steinfeld’s aversion to it sparked the idea for Yelena to douse her mac and cheese in hot sauce only after Kate had finished eating. This detail was not in the original script but was a result of the actors’ improvisation. The directors were impressed by Pugh’s commitment, as she continued to eat the hot sauce-laden mac and cheese take after take.
The fork scene and the mac and cheese dinner are prime examples of how improvisation can bring authenticity and humor to a story. These moments allowed the characters to shine and provided a balance of comedy and drama that made “Hawkeye” a standout series in the MCU.
Florence Pugh’s ability to improvise and bring her character to life in unexpected ways is a testament to her talent and the collaborative spirit of the MCU. Her contribution to “Hawkeye” not only added humor but also helped to deepen the connection between the characters and the audience. As the MCU continues to evolve, it is moments like these that remind us of the power of spontaneity and the magic of improvisation in storytelling.
