Thunderbolts* is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics team Thunderbolts. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is intended to be the 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film is directed by Jake Schreier and written by Eric Pearson, Lee Sung Jin, and Joanna Calo. It stars an ensemble cast featuring David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Olga Kurylenko, and Florence Pugh. In the film, a group of antiheroes goes on missions for the government.
Marvel Studios began teasing the formation of a Thunderbolts team within the MCU in 2021. The film was revealed to be in development in June 2022, when Schreier and Pearson were attached. The film’s main cast members were revealed that September, followed by additional casting through early 2023. Lee joined to rewrite the film’s script by March 2023, one of several creatives who returned to work with Schreier from the Netflix series Beef (2023). Production was delayed due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, causing some actors to leave the project and be replaced in early 2024, when Calo joined. Filming took place from February to June 2024 at Trilith Studios and Atlanta Metro Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional filming in Utah.
Thunderbolts* is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 2, 2025, as the last film of Phase Five of the MCU.
CAST
- David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian:
A member of the Thunderbolts who is the Russian super-soldier counterpart to Captain America and a father-figure to Yelena Belova.[2] Harbour said the film further explores the complex relationship between Shostakov and Belova that was introduced in Black Widow (2021). He noted that Belova cannot stand Shostakov, but she needs someone to help her feel complete and Shostakov is able to fill that role.[3] - Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost: A member of the Thunderbolts with molecular instability who can phase through objects.
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine:
A contessa and the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who works with Belova and John Walker.[2][4] Louis-Dreyfus described de Fontaine as someone who is “after power, control, and just generally she wants to kick ass in the Marvel Universe“.[5] - Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes:
An enhanced super-soldier with a cybernetic arm and the de facto leader of the Thunderbolts.[2][6] Presumed killed in action during World War II, he reemerged in the present day as a brainwashed assassin before his programming was removed.[2] Stan has described Barnes’ role within the film as akin to that of Jack Nicholson‘s character Randle McMurphy in the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), that of an individual coming into a chaotic and degenerate group whose members he finds a way to unite.[7] - Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent:
An enhanced super-soldier and member of the Thunderbolts. He is a former decorated Captain of the U.S. Army Rangers who was chosen by the U.S. government to become Steve Rogers‘ successor as Captain America before receiving an other than honorable discharge. - Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel: de Fontaine’s assistant[8][9]
- Lewis Pullman as Bob / Sentry[8][10]
- Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster:
A member of the Thunderbolts with photographic reflexes that allow her to mimic opponents’ fighting styles. She was formerly controlled by her father Dreykov to complete missions for the Red Room before being freed by Belova’s adoptive sister Natasha Romanoff in Black Widow. - Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova: A member of the Thunderbolts who was trained in the Red Room as a Black Widow.
Additionally, Laurence Fishburne and Rachel Weisz as Bill Foster and Melina Vostokoff from previous MCU media.
Release
Thunderbolts* is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 2, 2025, in IMAX. It was previously scheduled for July 26, 2024,December 20, 2024, July 25, 2025, and May 5, 2025.It will be the last film of Phase Five of the MCU.