Thunderbolts: Unveiling the Release Date, cast, plot & more
Get ready for the highly anticipated Thunderbolts movie! Discover the release date, an alluring cast, a gripping plot, and more about this exciting addition to the MCU's villain universe Unleash your excitement and stay tuned for the thrilling Thunderbolts trailer! (347 characters)
Upcoming MCU superhero film Thunderbolts, based on the comics of the same name, is eagerly anticipated. Details such as release date, cast, and more are beginning to emerge. However, Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has had a rocky start, with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania underperforming, followed by a successful Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, but then the disappointment of the Disney+ show Secret Invasion.
The next film on the horizon is The Marvels, the highly anticipated follow-up to Captain Marvel, which will be a true test of whether or not MCU fatigue is setting in. Deadpool 3 will be the first release next year, along with Thunderbolts, a film that is expected to have a major impact on the franchise's future. As for what we know about Thunderbolts at this point...
Thunderbolts release date: When is it coming out?
Thunderbolts is due for release in cinemas on July 25, 2025.
The movie's release date was changed from December 20, 2024, to an earlier date due to rescheduling by Disney and Marvel following the Hollywood strikes. The initial July 2024 release date was postponed to December, and it was supposed to be the last movie in Phase Five before Fantastic Four, but Blade will now be released in early 2025 following the movie, and Captain America: Brave New World is set to be released in the summer before Thunderbolts.
Wyatt Russell says #Thunderbolts starts filming in 'March or April' (via @THR) pic.twitter.com/pu89InFqjT
— Culture Crave (@CultureCrave) December 19, 2023
Thunderbolts explained: Who are they?
Put simply, the Thunderbolts can be considered as Marvel’s version of the Suicide Squad, with a specific version of the team being named after Thaddeus E. “Thunderbolt” Ross, previously portrayed by the late William Hurt.
The Thunderbolts made their first appearance in a 1997 edition of The Incredible Hulk. According to the team's Marvel biography, "Following the apparent demise of the Marvel Universe's most powerful heroes in the Onslaught incident, Baron Zemo formulated a cunning scheme to exploit the ensuing turmoil by masquerading his Masters of Evil as superheroes."
Marvel ComicsThe Thunderbolts have undergone significant changes since their debut in 1997.
The ruse may not have lasted, but the concept of the team did, and the Thunderbolts have continued to exist in various forms ever since. The original members included Baron Zemo, Beetle, Fixer, Goliath, Moonstone, and Screaming Mimi. Over the years, the team has evolved and had other leaders such as Hawkeye, Norman Osborn, Luke Cage, Winter Soldier, Wilson Fisk, and Thunderbolt Ross in Zemo's absence.
Thunderbolts cast: Who’s in it, and are there any returning characters?
The Thunderbolts have been associated with a number of villains such as Taskmaster, Venom, Ghost, Crossbones, Juggernaut, Doctor Octopus, and Abomination. Additionally, The Punisher, US Agent, Elektra, Nighthawk, Deadpool, Ghost Rider, and Eric O’Grady’s Ant-Man have also been involved with the team.
The following stars have been confirmed for the Thunderbolts cast:
Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster
Wyatt Russell as US Agent
Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier
Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost
David Harbour as Red Guardian
Anthony Mackie is set to take on the role of Captain America. Harbour recently discussed the upcoming movie on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, focusing on how it will explore the relationship between Red Guardian and Yelena.
I have already begun work on the project and it's absolutely amazing. Sometimes it's difficult to speak about these projects because I don't want to sound foolish, but the truth is the Duffers write some of the best scripts for television, and the Marvel writers are creating incredible, epic stories. We're exploring a new side of the Red Guardian and the relationship with Yelena, which is both funny and emotionally satisfying. I feel truly fortunate to be a part of these two incredible projects that are not yet in production," he said.
It is expected that Harrison Ford will star as General Thaddeus E. “Thunderbolt” Ross in Captain America: Brave New World, taking on the role previously played by William Hurt. However, a leak has revealed a twist - this time around, Thunderbolt Ross will be the President of the United States and also be Red Hulk.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, known for her comedic roles in Seinfeld and Veep, surprised many with her upcoming role as Valentina in the MCU film Thunderbolts. In an interview with Collider, she expressed excitement about her sons' influence in her decision to take the job, as they had been urging her to appear in a Marvel movie for years. She is eager to see her boys' reaction to her new role.
On February 23, 2023, Deadline announced that Steven Yeun, previously known for his role in The Walking Dead, would be joining the cast of the Thunderbolts. Yeun's role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is said to be a significant part of this film and could potentially continue in future MCU films. Jake Schreier, known for directing Paper Towns, has been chosen to direct the film, which was written by Eric Pearson, the scribe behind Black Widow.
Thunderbolts plot: What is it about?
While we have heard numerous stories about the Thunderbolts over the decades, and have gathered several bits of information about the film, there are currently no confirmed plot details about Thunderbolts as of now.
However, the seeds have been sown, in hindsight. At the conclusion of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which showcased Wyatt Russell’s John Walker disastrously taking on the Captain America mantle, only to be recruited by Valentina and rebranded as US Agent.
Disney +Valentina and US Agent are expected to star in Thunderbolts.
After the credits in Black Widow, Yelena was given a mission by Valentina to eliminate Clint Barton, whom she held responsible for Natasha's death in Avengers: Infinity War. This suggests that the MCU may be moving towards assembling a group reminiscent of the Dark Avengers, organized by the most corrupt factions of the government. As Amanda Waller stated in Suicide Squad, "I wanna build a team of some very bad people who I think can do some good."
David Harbour has revealed that the upcoming film will focus heavily on character development and the evolution of the team in a more disorganized manner. In an interview with Collider, he expressed excitement about the introduction of a new, essential element to the story. Harbour also expressed enthusiasm for the expanded exploration of Julia Louis-Dreyfus's character. Additionally, he hinted at a deeper look into the dynamic between his character and Florence's, while praising the presence of a mercenary element in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He contrasted the traditional heroic motivations of characters like Captain America and Iron Man with the more morally ambiguous nature of the new characters.
“And I like these guys who are a bunch of losers or a bunch of guys who can’t quite get it right. And so far what [Marvel has] pitched me just feels really cool.”
Thunderbolts trailer: Is there a trailer, and where can I watch it?
Currently, there is no official Thunderbolts trailer. Since the movie is not set to be released for another two years, it is unlikely that a trailer will be released anytime soon. We will update this space once a trailer is available.
That’s the extent of our knowledge about Thunderbolts at this time. In the meantime, feel free to explore our other superhero hubs below:
Upcoming Marvel and DC films include The Batman Part II, Joker 2, Harley Quinn Season 4, The Flash Season 9, Deadpool 3, Fantastic Four, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel Zombies, The Marvels, Agatha: Coven of Chaos, Venom 3, Daredevil: Born Again, Captain America 4, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I am eagerly anticipating the release of the Thunderbolts movie. The concept of a team of villains and anti-heroes coming together for a common goal is intriguing and has the potential to be a game-changer for the MCU. The cast is incredibly talented, with Florence Pugh, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Sebastian Stan among the confirmed stars. I am particularly excited to see how the dynamic between Red Guardian and Yelena will be explored, as hinted by David Harbour.
However, I must admit that I am a bit concerned about the recent rocky start of Phase Five of the MCU. While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was a success, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania underperformed, and Secret Invasion received mixed reviews. This raises the question of whether MCU fatigue is setting in. The upcoming The Marvels and Deadpool 3 will be crucial in determining the trajectory of Phase Five, and I hope they can deliver the excitement and quality that fans have come to expect from the MCU.
