David Harbour Explains the Asterisk in the ‘Thunderbolts*’ Title: “I’m excited for the viewers to see that”

As a seasoned gamer and Marvel enthusiast who’s seen his fair share of comic-to-screen adaptations, I can confidently say that ‘Thunderbolts*’ is shaping up to be an intriguing addition to the MCU. The mystery surrounding the asterisk in the title only adds to the anticipation, making us eager to unravel the secrets that lie ahead.


‘Thunderbolts’ is among the many upcoming releases within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but what makes it unique are several factors. Initially, it will debut the MCU’s take on the Suicide Squad-like team. Additionally, this film promises to bring Sentry, a highly potent character from Marvel comics, onto the silver screen.

When I first heard about it, they were just calling it ‘Thunderbolts.’ But then, while we were already in production, Florence Pugh accidentally leaked a sneak peek of the revised logo and title – yep, you guessed it, with an asterisk – in one of her fan videos. Later on, at CinemaCon, ol’ Kevin Feige made it official: ‘Thunderbolts*’ is the name of this movie. As for what that asterisk means, we’ll have to wait till the film hits theaters to find out!

Multiple interpretations have arisen concerning the purpose of the asterisk in ‘Thunderbolts*.’ One widely-held view proposes that the asterisk indicates the film marks the start of a new series, and as more installments are released, the symbol would be swapped for a number.

It was suggested by some enthusiasts that the movies were being filmed consecutively earlier on. Nevertheless, this appears doubtful considering the new adjustments made by Bob Iger to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s trajectory, as he now seems to prioritize only surefire successes following a challenging year at the box office.

Back a couple of months ago, I caught wind that Atlanta_filming had tagged an upcoming movie as ‘Thunderbolts – Part 1’ on Instagram. But just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, stirring even more rumors and excitement among us gaming community.

David Harbour, reprising his role as Red Guardian, shared some insights about his career and future endeavors during a chat with ComicBook. When the discussion turned to the asterisk, this is what Harbour expressed:

They added the asterisk afterwards, which was someone’s innovative thought… Let me phrase it differently: The asterisk was a later addition, born out of someone’s creativity… Now, how do I put this without causing any trouble?… The asterisk is quite fascinating. I get why people might decide to include it (smiles) I can hardly wait for the audience to catch a glimpse of that too. But, as before, I must remain tight-lipped about more details.

As a passionate admirer, I’d like to share how the filmmaker I adore tackled the escalating wave of fan theories about the movie. Here’s his unique strategy to steer clear of them:

Indeed, I find myself drifting away from that realm these days. It seems like every article I stumble upon is about AI, and while it’s fascinating, I yearn for a broader perspective.

It struck me as odd; this doesn’t appear to be written in English. Yet, it could potentially lead to misunderstandings since I prefer not to entertain various opinions about my personal matters. However, I was pleased by its resemblance to a comic book. There seems to be some confusion between those who speculate on the comics versus those who have actually read them.

As a gamer, I often find myself questioning the opinions of experts, especially when I revisit something with fresh eyes. It’s fascinating how perspectives can shift, and this is no exception with Red Guardian in the Thunderbolts comics. Since he doesn’t seem to be part of the storyline, it’s intriguing that Marvel is adding new elements, keeping us on our toes. However, I must emphasize that we’ve put a lot of effort into maintaining comic accuracy as well.

When producing a movie, people’s opinions are often based on the poster alone rather than the actual two-hour film. So it’s important to let them watch the whole movie before making up their minds – whether they love it or hate it. However, all the speculation about the movie feels much like my daydreams about certain events, such as death; until you see the actual movie, these fantasies are just that – fantasies.

I’m extremely pleased with this film we’ve made. It seems to be doing well within our company, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it. I believe it will catch people off guard in a good way. From the trailer and the shots you’ve seen, I think it showcases an intriguing new direction for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). I’m thrilled to be involved in this exciting journey.

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2024-09-18 09:44