Expectations For Thunderbolts* Are Low (That's A Good Thing)

For years, it was rumored that Marvel Studios was working on a Thunderbolts movie. At the time, many expected it to include Baron Zemo, as played by Daniel Brühl, with a cast of characters that closely resembled that of the comics. However, when it was revealed in 2022 that Marvel Studios had hired director Jake Schreier for its Thunderbolts* movie, many were surprised that the film was coming together so quickly, and that it was set to feature a much different line-up than expected.

This, of course, led to many being apprehensive regarding the movie. A feeling that doesn't look to have subsided despite a well-cut trailer having been released recently. With that in mind, we look at how Thunderbolts* could surprise when it releases next summer with a great story, despite many expecting a mid-tier movie.

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By  Catherine Armecin Martin

Breaking Down Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts*

Marvel Studios Thunderbolts* is set to feature a rag-tag team of former villains who have been underused within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The team is led by Florence Pugh's Yelena from Black Widow and Sebastian Stan's Bucky/Winter Soldier. It features the likes of Olga Kurylenko's Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster, Hannah John-Kamen's Ava Starr/Ghost, David Harbour's Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, and Wyatt Russell'sJohn Walker/U.S. Agent. It is also set to introduce Lewis Pullman as Robert Reynolds, aka Sentry. While Marvel Studios has been relatively secretive regarding the movie, the trailer has confirmed that Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina Allegra de Fontaine will play a huge role in the film, having assembled a group of castoffs from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her plan is to have the team go on missions for the government, but it's clear she's not entirely being honest with them, as they are introduced to the mysterious "Bob," who appears to have some secrets of his own - having walked away from a blast of bullets with no injuries in sight.

The movie is the latest in the long-running Marvel Studios franchise, and continues stories initially told in Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Ant-Man and the Wasp. It's also the first time Marvel Studios has made a villain-focused project, following long-running complaints by critics and fans alike that the franchise has a villain problem. While the line-up doesn't necessarily follow the line-up fans have come to know in the comics, the altered line-up allows Marvel Studios the chance to bring back some of the franchise's best villains who deserve a chance to continue their stories on the big screen.

Reasons Why Expectations are Low for Thunderbolts*

Given the movie's impressive cast, why isn't Thunderbolts* receiving more buzz? Most of the issues with the buzz for Thunderbolts* from fans stems from the movie's cast of characters. Most fans were hopeful that Zemo would play a part in the film. However, that seems entirely unlikely as Brühl has yet to be confirmed to appear. Still, many fans were frustrated by the film's line-up when it was announced, as the film seemed to lack any true powerful heroes, with most of them being street-level characters, like Yelena, Bucky, and even Red Guardian. Whereas, in the comics, the Thunderbolts has included the likes of Songbird, Lady Deathstrike, and Radioactive Man over the years. It also feels like a strange addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's line-up, with no indication of how it'll impact the overarching story moving forward. Unlike Fantastic Four: First Steps and Captain America: Brave New World, it's unclear if Thunderbolts* will have an impact on future films. Sentry, of course, seems likely to be important moving forward, but even now, Marvel Studios is seemingly hiding the character's involvement in Thunderbolts*, which is a strange move when it comes to marketing of the film.

While Thunderbolts* seems like an underdog right now, that is something that could easily work in the movie's favor. Fans are currently unsure as to whether not Thunderbolts* is something to get excited about. Despite the movie being set for a prime summer release, it doesn't quite have the hype most summer blockbusters do going into them. However, Thunderbolts* looks like it could very well be a good character piece, one that rightfully gives these former villains a proper story, especially since the studio continues to be called out for its lack of fully developing its antagonists. Characters like Ghost and Taskmaster were never given proper character development, and their stories felt incomplete following the end of their respective films. Thunderbolts* has the opportunity to truly lift these characters and give them the treatment they should have received from the beginning. With a team of characters sure to bicker with one another, Thunderbolts* could very well be the chaotic team-up film the Marvel Cinematic Universe needs right now. It might not be comic accurate, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe has proven it doesn't need to be comic accurate in order to deliver quality films. So, fans could very well be in for a surprise when the movie hits the big screen next year.

Thunderbolts* is set to hit theaters on May 2, 2025.