Walking Dead actor breaks silence following unexpected departure from MCU's Thunderbolts
Steven Yeun, renowned for his role in Walking Dead, candidly reveals his unexpected departure from the highly anticipated MCU blockbuster, Thunderbolts, leaving fans curious about the severed ties between the movie and Captain America 4
Former Thunderbolts actor Steven Yeun recently revealed the unexpected story behind his exit from the highly-anticipated MCU blockbuster. Yeun gained fame for his role as Glenn Rhee in HBO’s The Walking Dead, where he was a main cast member for six seasons before departing in the premiere episode of Season 7.
Yuen has achieved even more success with his roles in Netflix's Beef, Prime Video's Invincible, and A24's Minari. His performance in Minari even earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 93rd Academy Awards. However, his anticipated role as the Superman-like Sentry in 2025's Thunderbolts was eventually declined on January 3.
Walking Dead star speaks out after shock exit from MCU’s Thunderbolts
Yeun has subsequently explained his decision to withdraw from Thunderbolts in an interview with Variety. The popular actor cited scheduling conflicts linked to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike as a contributing factor.
Steven Yeun explained that his decision to drop out of Marvel's #Thunderbolts was influenced by the SAG-AFTRA strike from last year. "I feel that over time, circumstances changed and it just didn't feel right for me anymore." https://t.co/VH6DpiSSbF
Yeun expressed that the passage of time and changes in circumstances contributed to his decision. He expressed confidence in director Jake Schreier and emphasized that multiple email drafts were necessary to convey his genuine regret. Despite stepping back from the Thunderbolts project, Yeun stated his desire to collaborate with Marvel Studios on future endeavors, without disclosing specific details.
Thunderbolts cuts ties with Captain America 4
Yeun explained, "It's probably too early to make that statement. I may have upset some people by leaving, so I'll just say, 'Thank you for having me.' I have some ideas, but I've heard that if you put them out there, you'll never achieve them, so I'll keep them close to my chest."
Yeun's departure from the Thunderbolts has been accompanied by reports of Marvel Studios making some changes of its own. According to online rumors, the studio has removed narrative connections between Thunderbolts and another major MCU Phase Six release, Captain America: Brave New World.
This allegedly involves cutting out a cameo by Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Some sources now suggest that Marvel may repurpose this material as one of Brave New World's post-credits scenes. However, it should be noted that Louis-Dreyfus is still officially part of the Thunderbolts ensemble at this time.
For the latest Thunderbolts news and updates, check out Dexerto’s full coverage here.
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of Steven Yeun and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I was initially disappointed to learn about his unexpected departure from the upcoming Thunderbolts movie. Yeun's portrayal of Glenn Rhee in The Walking Dead showcased his exceptional acting skills, and I was eagerly anticipating his role as the Sentry in Thunderbolts. However, I understand that scheduling conflicts and other circumstances can arise, and I respect Yeun's decision to prioritize his commitments.
The news of Marvel Studios making changes to the narrative connections between Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World further adds to the intrigue surrounding these highly anticipated projects. While it's disappointing that we may not see a cameo by Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in Thunderbolts, I trust that Marvel Studios has a well-thought-out plan for the future of the MCU. I remain excited to see how the Thunderbolts movie unfolds and how it fits into the larger narrative of the MCU.
