Movies - Thunderbolts : A Glimpse into Marvel's Next Superhero Saga

By Mulder, 23 september 2024

Marvel Studios is gearing up for an exhilarating new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with Thunderbolts, an upcoming superhero film set to be the 36th entry in the franchise. Scheduled for release on May 2, 2025, Thunderbolts promises to deliver a fresh take on the superhero genre, focusing on a team of antiheroes rather than traditional protagonists. Directed by Jake Schreier and featuring a screenplay by Eric Pearson, Lee Sung Jin, and Joanna Calo, the film has already generated significant excitement with the recent release of its trailer.

The trailer for Thunderbolts, available for viewing offers a tantalizing preview of what’s to come. It introduces viewers to the Thunderbolts team, a group of complex characters assembled by the U.S. government for covert missions. The teaser highlights a blend of intense action and intriguing character dynamics, setting the stage for a film that promises to explore themes of redemption and moral ambiguity. The trailer showcases the unique nature of these antiheroes, hinting at both the internal and external conflicts they will face.

The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian, a Russian super-soldier who takes on a fatherly role to Yelena Belova. Harbour’s portrayal promises to delve deeper into the intricate relationship between Shostakov and Belova, first explored in Black Widow (2021). Hannah John-Kamen returns as Ava Starr / Ghost, whose ability to phase through objects due to molecular instability adds a supernatural element to the team. Julia Louis-Dreyfus appears as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, the CIA director whose quest for power and control promises to bring a new level of intensity to the MCU. Sebastian Stan reprises his role as Bucky Barnes, the enhanced super-soldier who leads the Thunderbolts, comparing his character's role to that of Jack Nicholson’s Randle McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975). Wyatt Russell joins as John Walker / U.S. Agent, a former Captain America now leading the team alongside Barnes.

Geraldine Viswanathan plays Mel, de Fontaine’s assistant, while Lewis Pullman steps into the role of Bob / Sentry, a character new to the MCU. Olga Kurylenko returns as Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster, equipped with photographic reflexes that allow her to mimic opponents’ fighting styles. Florence Pugh reprises her role as Yelena Belova, bringing her trained skills as a Black Widow to the Thunderbolts. Additionally, Harrison Ford is expected to appear as Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross, the U.S. President, and Laurence Fishburne and Rachel Weisz are anticipated to reprise their roles as Bill Foster and Melina Vostokoff, respectively.

The production of Thunderbolts has been marked by several significant milestones and challenges. Marvel Studios began teasing the formation of the Thunderbolts team in 2021, and the film was officially announced in June 2022. Jake Schreier was brought on board as director after impressing Marvel executives with his presentation. The film’s development faced delays due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, which caused some actors to leave the project and be replaced. Despite these setbacks, filming took place from February to June 2024 at Trilith Studios and Atlanta Metro Studios in Georgia, with additional shoots in Utah. The film’s release date has been adjusted multiple times, initially slated for July 26, 2024, then December 20, 2024, July 25, 2025, and finally set for May 2, 2025.

The film’s title, Thunderbolts, includes an asterisk, a detail that Marvel Studios has stated will be explained after the film's release, adding an extra layer of intrigue for fans. The film’s focus on antiheroes and its unique ensemble cast set it apart from traditional superhero fare, promising a dynamic and engaging addition to the MCU. With an emphasis on practical effects and stunt work, as highlighted by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Thunderbolts aims to return to the roots of Marvel’s storytelling, combining action-packed sequences with rich character development.

Last July during the Hall H Marvel Studiospanel our media had discover this trailer which were presented by the director and the main actors ::

Synopsis :
Gathering of super-villains and anti-heroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sent on secret missions to try and redeem themselves.

Thunderbolts
Directed by Jake Schreier
Written by Eric Pearson, Lee Sung Jin, Joanna Calo
Based on Thunderbolts by Kurt Busiek, Mark Bagley
Produced by Kevin Feige
Starring David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Olga Kurylenko, Florence Pugh
Cinematography : Andrew Droz Palermo
Edited by Harry Yoon, Angela M. Catanzaro
Production company : Marvel Studios
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date : April 30, 2025 (France), May 2, 2025 (United States)