There’s an exciting new team set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it’s not the Fantastic Four. The spotlight is on “Thunderbolts,” which was showcased during Marvel’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con this year.
The film brings together familiar faces from the MCU, including Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova and David Harbour as Red Guardian. They are joined by a talented ensemble featuring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wyatt Russell, Sebastian Stan, Hannah John-Kamen, and Olga Kurylenko. Newcomer Geraldine Viswanathan steps into a role that was originally meant for Ayo Edebiri, who had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts.
For those who may not be aware, the Thunderbolts in the comics are akin to DC Comics’ Suicide Squad. This team consists of villains who undertake perilous missions for the government.
The Comic-Con-exclusive footage, set to the haunting tune of “Where Is My Mind” by the Pixies, opens at night in what appears to be a secluded house. Yelena knocks on the door, and Red Guardian, in a comical rush, scrambles to present himself in a more respectable manner. Yelena’s purpose for visiting remains a mystery, but it’s clear she’s there to recruit him.
The scene shifts to a room reminiscent of The Raft from “Captain America: Civil War.” Here, Yelena is ambushed by Ghost, played by Hannah John-Kamen, and U.S. Agent, portrayed by Wyatt Russell. Their confrontation is interrupted by Lewis Pullman, who introduces himself simply as “Bob.”
What follows is a thrilling montage filled with action, indicating that someone is out to eliminate them all, which seems to be the catalyst for their unlikely alliance. A standout moment features Yelena engaging in a fierce hallway fight, showcasing her combat skills as she takes down multiple adversaries with ruthless efficiency.
“Eventually, you start to realize there are bad guys. And worse guys,” Yelena’s voiceover adds a layer of intrigue to the unfolding chaos.
Before the footage was revealed, the cast took to the Hall H stage, with Harbour donning his full Red Guardian costume. In a humorous moment, he expressed mock frustration that his co-stars hadn’t dressed up for the occasion, highlighting the camaraderie among the cast.
The film’s title, “Thunderbolts*,” includes an asterisk, and when asked about its significance, Marvel’s Kevin Feige teased, “You’ll have to see the movie.”
Harbour and Pugh, who previously collaborated on “Black Widow,” shared their excitement about reuniting for this project. Harbour described the experience as one of the greatest of his life, while Pugh characterized the film as “wonderful, bizarre, and very brave.”
Originally slated for release this month, “Thunderbolts” faced delays due to the Hollywood strikes. The film is now set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.
During the Hall H panel, the atmosphere was electric as the cast engaged with the audience. David Harbour, in character as Alexi Shostakov, humorously lamented the lack of costumes among his co-stars, creating a light-hearted moment that resonated with fans.
The trailer revealed Yelena’s struggles as she returns home to Red Guardian, who humorously admits to being a couch potato. Yelena expresses her dissatisfaction with her life, feeling unfulfilled in her work as a contract killer. The footage then introduces the Thunderbolts team, who initially seem intent on attacking her.
“Someone wants us gone,” Yelena states, hinting at the larger threat they face. The trailer also features a glimpse of Valentina, played by Louis-Dreyfus, at a high-class dinner, while Bucky, portrayed by Sebastian Stan, observes from a distance. The action sequences are darker and more intense than typical superhero fare, culminating in a visually stunning scene where Yelena leaps off a skyscraper, accompanied by the tagline, “Careful Who You Assemble.”
The film is positioned as Marvel’s answer to the Suicide Squad, drawing from characters first introduced in Marvel Comics in 1997. The narrative is expected to follow a group of villains on government-sanctioned missions.
“Thunderbolts*” was first announced at Comic-Con 2022, with many core cast members introduced at Disney’s D23 event in 2023. The ensemble cast includes Harrison Ford as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, alongside Pugh, Stan, Harbour, Louis-Dreyfus, Russell, John-Kamen, Kurylenko, Pullman, and Viswanathan.
Jake Schreier directs the film, with a script penned by Lee Sung Jin, a collaborator from the series “Beef.” Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is producing the project, which is slated for release on May 5, 2025.
As Marvel recalibrates its production strategy, the focus has shifted to a more manageable pace, with a new mandate of two films per year. Following the releases of “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” and “The Marvels,” the fifth phase of the MCU will also include “Captain America: Brave New World,” set to premiere on February 14, 2025.
Phase Six will kick off with “The Fantastic Four” on July 25, 2025, and will also feature “Blade” on November 7, 2025, “Avengers 5” on May 1, 2026, and “Avengers: Secret Wars” on May 7, 2027.
As the excitement builds for “Thunderbolts,” fans eagerly await the chance to see this unique team of anti-heroes come to life on the big screen. The film promises to deliver a fresh take on the superhero genre, blending dark humor with thrilling action and complex character dynamics.
Source: Various
