Marvel Studios has officially released the first trailer for Thunderbolts*, offering an exciting glimpse into the next chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As expected, the trailer is packed with intense action sequences, but what stands out is the way it teases the story behind the gathering of some of Marvel’s most intriguing misfits. This is not your traditional superhero team—Thunderbolts* promises to explore darker, more complex characters and their journey to unite as a group.
Leading the charge is Julia Louis-Dreyfus, reprising her role as CIA Director Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Fans of the MCU first met the manipulative de Fontaine in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, where she convinced John Walker (played by Wyatt Russell) to abandon the Captain America mantle and take up the role of U.S. Agent. She then appeared in the post-credits scene of Black Widow, setting up Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) with a mission to eliminate Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).
In Thunderbolts*, de Fontaine brings together a roster of characters who have all walked the fine line between hero and villain. These include Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier), David Harbour as Red Guardian, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, and Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster. The trailer also introduces Lewis Pullman as The Sentry, a new addition to the MCU who is sure to shake things up with his god-like powers.
Unlike the Avengers, this group isn’t comprised of the traditional do-gooders. The Thunderbolts team is a collection of anti-heroes, each with their own troubled past and personal demons. The trailer suggests a mission that forces these characters to work together, but trust won’t come easily.
Director Jake Schreier, best known for Paper Towns and Kidding, is at the helm of Thunderbolts*, bringing a unique vision to the MCU. Schreier is known for his ability to balance character-driven stories with emotional depth, which could serve this darker and more morally ambiguous team well. The screenplay, co-written by Eric Pearson (Thor: Ragnarok, Black Widow) and Marvel Comics legend Kurt Busiek, promises to delve into these characters’ motivations while maintaining the MCU’s signature humor and spectacle.
The action in the trailer is as dynamic as ever, with plenty of high-octane combat and massive set pieces. Fans of the MCU will be eager to see how these characters interact, given their complicated histories. Will they learn to trust each other and work as a team, or will their individual motivations cause chaos within the group?
Thunderbolts* is shaping up to be a fascinating addition to the MCU, with a release date set for May 2, 2025. With this eclectic cast and a focus on morally complex characters, the film is sure to offer something fresh to longtime fans of the franchise.