Marvel fans, brace yourselves! A new super team is on the horizon, and it's not your typical band of righteous Avengers. Marvel's Thunderbolts*, announced during San Diego Comic-Con 2022, brings together a cast of anti-heroes (and former villains) for a daring new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Set for release on May 2, 2025, Thunderbolts will close out Phase 5 of the MCU — and it looks like it's going to be a wild ride.
The Anti-Hero Squad We Didn't Know We Needed
If you're familiar with Marvel's comics, you know the Thunderbolts aren't your average heroes. They're a team of reformed (or semi-reformed) villains, often tasked with government missions that require more… morally flexible agents. In many ways, the Thunderbolts* are Marvel's answer to DC's Suicide Squad, and it's clear that this film will capitalize on the intrigue of a group of rogue characters trying to find redemption — or at least some form of purpose.
Marvel began hinting at the formation of the Thunderbolts* back in 2021's Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier with the introduction of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Valentina's recruitment of potential team members set the stage for what's shaping up to be a compelling and complicated super team.
Star-Studded Cast: Who's Joining the Thunderbolts*?
At the D23 Expo in 2022, Marvel unveiled an ensemble cast for Thunderbolts*, filled with familiar faces from the MCU. Sebastian Stan reprises his role as Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier, bringing his complex journey of redemption into the mix. Florence Pugh returns as Yelena Belova, who was a standout in Black Widow, while David Harbour's Red Guardian promises to deliver his unique blend of comic relief and brawn.
The cast also includes Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, and Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost. Julia Louis-Dreyfus will also have a larger role as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and if her recent interviews are any indication, we might even see her throwing a few punches of her own. Notably, Harrison Ford joins the cast as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, stepping into the role after the passing of William Hurt, and Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick) is set to play the immensely powerful Sentry.
This powerhouse cast is sure to deliver a mix of tension, humor, and plenty of surprises. Notably absent, however, is any mention of characters like Zemo, who has historically been associated with the Thunderbolts in the comics. Whether he'll make an appearance remains to be seen.
What's the Asterisk in “Thunderbolts*” All About?
Fans were quick to notice the asterisk in the movie's title, and speculation has run rampant about what it could signify. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige remained cryptic when asked about it during the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, teasing that all will be revealed when the film hits theaters. While the MCU is no stranger to secrets and hidden meanings, the asterisk could hint at plot twists, hidden characters, or even a broader connection to the multiverse saga that Marvel has been building.
A Glimpse Behind the Scenes: Director, Writer, and Production Details
Thunderbolts* is helmed by director Jake Schreier, best known for Paper Towns (2015), while Beef creator Lee Sung Jin has taken over the screenplay following Eric Pearson's departure. This change in creative leadership could give the movie a unique flavor, potentially balancing action and comedy with more grounded, character-driven moments.
Filming for Thunderbolts* kicked off in early 2024 in Atlanta, with additional shoots taking place in Utah and New York. Florence Pugh, in her role as Yelena, shared a fun behind-the-scenes look at the set in March, although the director jokingly mentioned she probably wasn't supposed to be sharing much. The production wrapped in June 2024, keeping fans in eager anticipation.
What's Next for the Thunderbolts*?
Marvel isn't stopping at a single Thunderbolts movie. It was revealed during San Diego Comic-Con that the Thunderbolts* will also appear in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, both slated for future releases. These films are expected to bring even more star power into the MCU, with confirmed appearances from Fantastic Four members like Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, along with Robert Downey Jr. making his MCU return as Doctor Doom.
Why We're Excited
With its gritty, unpredictable characters and the potential for moral ambiguity, Thunderbolts* is shaping up to be a fresh and bold addition to the MCU. It offers a break from the shiny heroism of the Avengers and instead delves into the messy, gray areas of redemption and government manipulation. Whether you're here for the action, the intrigue, or the all-star cast, Thunderbolts promises to be a game-changer in a franchise that's always evolving.
May 2025 can't come soon enough.
