Breaking: Marvel's Thunderbolts Movie Starring Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan Steals the Show

Florence Pugh has secured her next Marvel project, Thunderbolts, which features a star-studded cast including Sebastian Stan and other familiar faces. The confirmation was made by the superhero studio in September during the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California. Pugh is set to reprise her role as Yelena Belova, the younger sister of Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff, and a former assassin from Russia's Black Widow program.

"I'm incredibly disappointed that I can't be there in person to greet everyone, but I am thrilled beyond words to be a part of this cast," Pugh expressed in a pre-recorded video at D23. While filming Dune in Europe, she was unable to attend the Disney convention, but her fellow cast members made an appearance. As for the plot of Thunderbolts, little is known, but the Marvel comics team resembled Suicide Squad, with a group of super villains joining forces. However, the movie will focus less on high-ranking villains and more on characters who straddle the line between good and evil.

Joining Pugh in the upcoming Black Widow film are some familiar faces from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, a skilled assassin with the ability to imitate anyone’s fighting style, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Russia’s own version of Captain America, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Val, a wealthy and enigmatic woman. Additionally, Sebastian Stan returns as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, one of the MCU’s longest-standing members who has since broken free from his brainwashing and is now working alongside the new Captain America (Anthony Mackie) to redeem himself after years as a mindless killer.

Bucky clashed with John Walker, aka U.S. Agent, portrayed by Wyatt Russell in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Interestingly, Russell is slated to join the Thunderbolts cast. During the show's finale, Walker struck a deal with Val, but the nature of the tasks she'll assign him remains ambiguous. With Winter Soldier, U.S. Agent, and Red Guardian among its ranks, the Thunderbolts possess three individuals who underwent experiments aimed at recreating the super soldier serum that transformed Steve Rogers into Captain America.

Hannah John-Kamen reprises her role as Ava Starr/Ghost, who was initially portrayed as a villain in search of a cure for her molecular instability in Ant-Man and the Wasp. However, she ultimately revealed herself to be one of the good guys. While Marvel has not disclosed how the Thunderbolts will unite, here's what we currently know about the team.

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Florence Pugh Leads Marvel's 'Thunderbolts' With Sebastian Stan: Everything to Know So Far About Yelena and Bucky's Movie

No need to fret, my dear — Florence Pugh will continue to grace our screens. She has already secured her next Marvel venture, Thunderbolts, which boasts a star-studded cast featuring Sebastian Stan and other familiar faces.

At the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California in September, the superhero studio announced that Oscar-nominated actress Florence Pugh will be leading the 2024 movie. Pugh will be reprising her role as Yelena Belova, the younger sister of Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff and a trained assassin from Russia's Black Widow program. Although not present in person at the event due to her filming commitments for Dune in Europe, Pugh expressed her excitement in a pre-recorded video message to the audience.

The Thunderbolts' storyline remains mostly shrouded in mystery, but the Marvel comic squad shares similarities to DC's Suicide Squad - consisting of a group of supervillains who unite to accomplish a common goal. However, the movie adaptation takes a different approach, with fewer high-ranking antagonists and a focus on characters who exist in a morally grey area. Alongside Florence Pugh's character, other familiar faces include Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, an assassin with the ability to replicate an opponent's fighting style, David Harbour as Red Guardian, a Soviet Union version of Captain America, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as La Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine, a wealthy and enigmatic figure known as Val.

As a stalwart member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2010, Sebastian Stan is set to reprise his role as Bucky Barnes, also known as the Winter Soldier. Following his liberation from brainwashing, Bucky has turned a new leaf and is now fighting alongside the new Captain America, played by Anthony Mackie, to redeem himself after years as a mindless killer. However, in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Bucky found himself at odds with John Walker played by Wyatt Russell, who has also been confirmed to join the cast of Thunderbolts. At the conclusion of the Disney+ series, Walker made a deal with Val to work for her, but the specifics of his new role have yet to be revealed.

The Thunderbolts boast Winter Soldier, U.S. Agent, and Red Guardian, all of whom were experimented on in attempts to duplicate the super soldier serum that transformed Steve Rogers into Captain America. Additionally, Hannah John-Kamen reprises her role as Ava Starr/Ghost, first introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp, once perceived as a foe while seeking a cure for her molecular instability, but ultimately revealed as a hero.

Marvel is keeping details about how this group ends up together quiet, but here's everything we know so far about the Thunderbolts:

Credit: Marvel Studios

Does Marvel's 'Thunderbolts' Have a Release Date?

Marvel fans eagerly anticipated the release of Thunderbolts in July 2024, but were disappointed when the film's debut was postponed. The studio announced in June 2023 that the release date would be pushed back to December 20, 2024.

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Why Is 'Thunderbolts' Filming Delayed?

Production on the action flick was set to begin in June 2023 but was delayed until further notice amid the Writers Guild of America strike. The Wrap confirmed filming was on hold in May 2023.

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Who Is In the 'Thunderbolts' Cast?

Leading the ensemble cast are Yelena, portrayed by Pugh, and Bucky, played by Stan. The duo is accompanied by Val, portrayed by Louis-Dreyfus, Red Guardian played by Harbour, Ghost played by John-Kamen, U.S. Agent played by Russell, and Taskmaster played by Kurilenko.

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Who Is the Creative Team Behind 'Thunderbolts'?

Jake Schreier will direct Thunderbolts. Eric Pearson, who worked on both Thor: Ragnarok and Black Widow, is set to write the script.

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What Has David Harbour Super Excited for 'Thunderbolts'?

"I'm excited to explore the complexity of Red Guardian and his relationship with Natasha," Harbour shared during the same interview. Both actors expressed their enthusiasm for their respective roles and the opportunity to bring these beloved Marvel characters to life on screen.

"I'm thrilled about the possibility of Red Guardian getting a wardrobe upgrade," Harbour shared with a hint of humor. "I don't want to use the F-word, but I'm quite excited about it. Captain America has had so many different costumes over the years, with white stars, black stars, and a whole closet full of suits. And now, it seems like I might be heading in that direction too."

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Who Will Ayo Edebiri Play in ‘The Thunderbolts’?

Entertainment Weekly confirmed in January 2023 that The Bear star will join the MCU in The Thunderbolts in a currently unknown role.

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Who Is the Leader of the Thunderbolts?

In February 2023, Marvel Studios' President Kevin Feige revealed that the characters in the upcoming series "The Falcon and The Winter Soldier" are not your typical heroes. In fact, none of them would even consider themselves heroes. This adds an interesting dynamic to the show, especially considering that Bucky Barnes is the de facto leader of the group. As Feige puts it, "that's sort of all you need to know."