Thunderbolts: Trailer, Release date, cast, plot, & Everything we know so far About the Marvel team-up Movie
Published on September 25, 2024
Get ready for a thrilling ride as Marvel Studios has just unveiled the first teaser trailer and poster for Thunderbolts, a film uniting the MCU's most unexpected band of misfits.
Set to redefine the superhero genre, this movie brings together a team of reformed villains who take on missions for the government, echoing the premise of DC's Suicide Squad. Fans have eagerly anticipated this project since its announcement at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2022, and now, with the trailer's recent release, excitement is at an all-time high.
The teaser offers tantalizing glimpses of the characters, showcasing how they come together as antiheroes while hinting at the complexities of their backstories and motivations. Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova and other beloved characters will be front and center as they navigate their chaotic world. With intriguing new details emerging, including speculation about the character played by Lewis Pullman, who many believe may be the powerful Sentry, the film promises unexpected twists and turns.
As Thunderbolts prepares for its cinematic debut, there's so much more to explore, from the cast dynamics to the implications for the MCU's future. Stay tuned as we dive into everything you need to know about this upcoming film, packed with surprises and revelations that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
We're committed to keeping this article updated as new information becomes available, so don't miss out on the exciting details ahead!
Release date & Where to Watch
Thunderbolts is set to hit theaters on Friday, May 2, 2025, serving as the final film in Phase 5 of the MCU before becoming available for streaming on Disney+.
Plot
Thunderbolts acts as a spiritual sequel to Black Widow, centering on Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, John Walker, and Taskmaster, who are recruited by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine for US government missions. Their plans unravel when they encounter a superpowered individual known as "Bob," leading them to suspect they’ve been set up.
Julie Louis-Dreyfus humorously noted Marvel's strict NDAs to protect plot details. The film's synopsis presents it as an irreverent team-up featuring these anti-heroes, allowing for a focus on their complex dynamics rather than traditional origin stories.
Footage from San Diego Comic-Con suggests early conflicts among the team, hinting at both their struggles and eventual teamwork. Connections to Black Widow indicate the film may honor Natasha Romanoff.
The film is described as featuring anti-heroes on government missions, similar to DC’s Suicide Squad, but without extreme measures. Director Jake Schreier promises a fresh take on the characters, while Wyatt Russell claims it’s “not a straightforward Marvel movie,” hinting at a unique experience.
Cast
- David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian: A Russian super-soldier and father figure to Yelena Belova, whose complex relationship is further explored in Thunderbolts.
- Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova: A former Black Widow trained in the Red Room and now a Thunderbolts member.
- Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost: A Thunderbolts member with the ability to phase through objects due to molecular instability.
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine: The CIA director working with Belova and Walker, seeking power and control in the Marvel Universe.
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes: The Thunderbolts' leader and enhanced super-soldier, compared to Randle McMurphy for his unifying role.
- Wyatt Russell as John Walker/US Agent: A former Army Ranger and enhanced super-soldier, once chosen as Captain America's successor.
- Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers and Miracle Workers) as Mel: De Fontaine’s assistant.
- Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick) as Bob/Sentry: A member of the Thunderbolts.
- Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster: Formerly controlled by her father, she can mimic fighting styles.
- Laurence Fishburne as Bill Foster
- Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff
- Harrison Ford as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross
Official Teaser Trailer
The three-minute teaser shows Yelena and a group of supervillains trapped in a mysterious building, warning, "Everyone here has done bad things... Someone wants us gone."
Introducing Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who aims to harness their skills for government missions, the trailer is set to the Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?" and hints at explosive action and a unique take on the superhero genre.
On Nov. 10, 2024, a Special Look trailer was released, introducing the main characters and what they have been up to. The trailer also introduced the fresh dangers this team will have to face and showcased why they will have to team up.
What are the Comic book Origins of the Thunderbolts?
The Thunderbolts often get compared to DC's Suicide Squad, as both teams feature members who are unconventional choices for a superhero group. However, their motivations differ significantly. While the Suicide Squad is coerced into service with explosive devices, the Thunderbolts aim to change public perception by showcasing reformed villains.
This concept originated with Baron Helmut Zemo, a foe of Captain America, who saw an opportunity after most of Earth’s heroes were defeated by Onslaught. He recruited villains like Goliath and Moonstone, who took on new identities, including Citizen V and Songbird. Zemo’s plan for manipulation backfired when the Thunderbolts genuinely chose to reform and ultimately overthrew him.
Over the years, notable characters like Deadpool, Abomination, and Norman Osborn have joined the team, along with heroes like Hawkeye and America Chavez. Zemo has also fluctuated between reforming and reverting to villainy throughout their history.
Will the Thunderbolts Appear in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars?
At San Diego Comic-Con, it was revealed that the Thunderbolts will indeed feature in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. These upcoming films are set to boast a star-studded cast, including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach from The Fantastic Four, alongside Robert Downey Jr. in the role of Doctor Doom.
Filming
Filming for Thunderbolts took place from February to June 2024 at Trilith Studios and Atlanta Metro Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional scenes shot in Utah and New York. Florence Pugh, portraying Yelena Belova, provided fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse in March, showcasing her costume while the director humorously commented on her presence on set.
David Harbour shared that he was filming Thunderbolts concurrently with Stranger Things season five, both productions taking place in Atlanta. He explained that his schedule involved alternating weeks between the two projects, making it easier to transition from one set to the other.
In August 2024, Dreyfus posted a video on her Instagram from the set of Thunderbolts, humorously claiming the desert location was Mars.
Behind the Scenes
Jake Schreier will direct Thunderbolts, with Kevin Feige producing and executive producers, including Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek, Jason Tamez, and Scarlett Johansson. Schreier, known for his work on Paper Towns and Netflix's Beef, is taking on his first feature film in nearly nine years.
Following Eric Pearson's exit from the project, Lee Sung Jin, creator of Beef, was brought on as the screenwriter. Sung Jin expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Schreier again, highlighting the intriguing themes and unique aspects of the film. He noted, “It’s the whole squad again... I couldn’t help but sign on.”
When discussing the film's narrative, Schreier emphasized its distinctive approach to character development and story. He stated that while it features familiar characters, it will present a new perspective, diverging from typical superhero narratives. He aims to create a personal and relatable story that resonates universally.
Thunderbolts will be produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, marking it as the 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film’s title includes asterisks, which Feige confirmed are intentional, though the reason behind them will be revealed upon the film's release.
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