Premiere - Marvel Studios Ignites London with the Electrifying European Premiere of Thunderbolts*

By Mulder, Londres, Empire Leicester Square, 22 april 2025

In a cinematic event that blended anticipation, spectacle, and the irresistible allure of the Marvel brand, Thunderbolts* made its grand European premiere on April 22, 2025, at the iconic Empire Leicester Square in London. As fans gathered and camera flashes lit up the red carpet, this darker and edgier installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was officially unveiled, signaling the explosive conclusion to Phase Five. The atmosphere was thick with excitement as stars like Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Olga Kurylenko, and Pedro Pascal arrived in style, joining director Jake Schreier and producers Kevin Feige and Brian Chapek for what was more than just a screening—it was a defining moment in the MCU’s evolution.

At the heart of Thunderbolts* lies a complex story of misfits, trauma, and reluctant heroism. The film brings together a volatile squad of morally ambiguous characters—Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and U.S. Agent John Walker—each of whom carries the scars and sins of their past. Tasked with an off-the-books black ops mission orchestrated by the ever-calculating Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, portrayed once again by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the group is forced to navigate treacherous terrain, both external and internal. What begins as a suicide mission quickly unravels into a raw, emotionally charged exploration of redemption, betrayal, and the uneasy bonds forged in shared suffering.

Florence Pugh, reprising her role as the fierce yet deeply vulnerable Yelena Belova, stole the show before the film even began. Dressed in a sheer black Elie Saab gown adorned with intricate gothic lace and an ethereal tulle skirt, she embodied the unapologetic spirit of both her character and her growing status as a red carpet icon. Later that evening, Pugh made headlines again with her afterparty look—a sheer nude trench coat worn over delicate lingerie, a fearless homage to the resurgence of the “naked dressing” trend in haute couture. Her appearance was widely celebrated across fashion media as a defining red carpet moment of the year, further reinforcing her image as one of the MCU's most magnetic stars.

Equally attention-grabbing was Pedro Pascal, whose arrival sent a ripple of admiration through the crowd. Though not part of the Thunderbolts* cast, Pascal is set to make his own debut in the MCU with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and he used the occasion to quietly but powerfully express his advocacy. His T-shirt, emblazoned with the slogan “Protect the Dolls,” designed by Conner Ives, was a heartfelt nod to his trans sister, Lux Pascal, and a gesture of solidarity with the trans community. His appearance underscored the increasingly personal and socially resonant statements being made on Marvel red carpets, as stars use their platforms to champion causes they believe in.

Behind the camera, director Jake Schreier brings a unique sensibility to the MCU with Thunderbolts*. Known for his work on the genre-blurring series Beef and Brand New Cherry Flavor, Schreier fuses character-driven storytelling with stylized action sequences that carry genuine emotional weight. The film’s screenplay, crafted by Eric Pearson (Black Widow, Thor: Ragnarok) and Joanna Calo (The Bear), balances biting wit with raw introspection, pushing its ensemble cast into uncharted dramatic territory. The addition of Son Lux as the film’s composer introduces an audacious sonic landscape that underscores the movie’s emotional depth, distancing it stylistically from the more bombastic scores of previous Marvel entries.

The European premiere was also the audience’s first glimpse at how Thunderbolts redefines team dynamics in the superhero genre. Far from the tight unity of the Avengers, this group is fractured from the start. Their cohesion is constantly undermined by clashing egos, emotional baggage, and mistrust—a risky but refreshing departure from Marvel’s usual formula. The performances reflect this inner turmoil: Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes is wearier and more disillusioned than ever, David Harbour brings a desperate bravado to Red Guardian, and Wyatt Russell’s John Walker is equal parts sympathetic and terrifying, a man caught between redemption and relapse.

Early reactions following the screening were largely positive, particularly applauding the film’s grounded tone and morally murky storytelling. Critics praised Florence Pugh for her commanding performance, noting that her Yelena anchors the team emotionally, while the ensemble as a whole benefits from sharper dialogue and more intimate stakes than Marvel fans might be used to. Many have also highlighted the film’s refusal to offer clean resolutions, opting instead for character arcs that feel earned and, at times, painfully unresolved.

As Thunderbolts* gears up for its U.S. theatrical release on May 2, 2025, it is already being hailed as one of Marvel’s most thematically mature projects to date. It challenges audiences not to simply root for its characters, but to understand them, flaws and all. In doing so, it revitalizes a genre often criticized for its formulaic narratives and invincible protagonists. Whether the Thunderbolts* ultimately destroy each other or find a semblance of unity, one thing is clear: Marvel has once again managed to turn a risk into a remarkable moment, both on-screen and on the red carpet.

Discover the official red carpet videos :

Itw Jake Schreier

itw Florence Pugh

itw David Harbour 

itw Wyatt Russell 

itw Wendall Pierce 

itw Geraldine Viswanathan 

itw Lewis Pullman 

itw Julia Louis Dreyfus 

itw Hannah John Kamen

itw Brain Chapek

Synopsis : 
Marvel Studios brings together an unconventional team of antiheroes: Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, The Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker. Trapped in a deadly trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned outcasts must embark on a high-stakes mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their past. Will this dysfunctional group tear itself apart or find redemption by uniting before it's too late?

Thunderbolts*
Directed by Jake Schreier
Written by Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo
Story by Eric Pearson
Based on Marvel Comics
Produced by Kevin Feige
Starring  Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Cinematography : Andrew Droz Palermo
Edited by Angela Catanzaro, Harry Yoon
Music by Son Lux
Production company : Marvel Studios
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release dates : April 22, 2025 (Cineworld Leicester Square), April, 30 2025 (France) May 2, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 126 minutes

Photos: Getty Images For Walt Disney Company