Here’s what the Thunderbolts* movie means to its fans (Part One)

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) boasts an impressive collection of films, totaling 36, along with various streaming and animated series. In less than a week, a new addition to this universe, titled “Thunderbolts”, will grace the big screen. Directed by Jake Schreier and penned by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, this film brings together several well-known Marvel characters in an unexpected scenario: they must collaborate despite their individual differences.

This upcoming film brings together its unconventional heroes, featuring characters from Black Widow (2021), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), and the Captain America series, including The Falcon and the Winter Soldier live-action series. The lineup includes Yelena Belova (played by Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (portrayed by Sebastian Stan), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), John Walker/US Agent (Wyatt Russell), and Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko). In addition, Julia Louis-Dreyfus portrays Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and Lewis Pullman joins the cast as the antagonistic Sentry/Robert “Bob” Reynolds.

On the official Disney site, the initial playful summary for Thunderbolts characterized it as a film directed by “seasoned independent filmmakers who opted for the big leagues,” featuring the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “least-hyped team of underdogs.

Previously mentioned, that comment was somewhat sarcastic, I acknowledge, but it’s significant to highlight that this movie is genuinely generating a lot of buzz. As this article (and its sequel) will hopefully prove, *Thunderbolts* has already built quite a dedicated fanbase, which is impressive given that the film hasn’t even hit theaters yet.

It may strike you as unusual – after all, isn’t falling in love with a movie only possible if you’ve seen it? – but allow me to share a personal anecdote from a few years back that lends credence to this phenomenon. I too found myself captivated by a film I hadn’t yet watched, and now, looking back, I can attest wholeheartedly to the truth of such experiences.

To put it plainly, I embarked on that project due to an incredibly deep and far-reaching affection I held – and continue to hold – for the characters and the artists who were bringing this sequel into existence. At that time, I had been a Marvel fan for over a decade, but the intense excitement I felt was something unique, as it began long before the movie actually came out to theaters. It was a very special phase in fandom for me, one that I hold dear and never thought I’d experience again.

With the approaching release on May 2nd of the movie “Thunderbolts“, it seems the event has resurfaced. Over the past 18 months since I watched my most-eagerly awaited Marvel film for the first time in a theater, I’ve found that there’s a dedicated group of superfans who feel as passionately about Yelena, Bucky, Ava, John, Alexei, and Antonia as I do about Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau/Photon, and Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel.

Fans have been closely analyzing trailer snippets and speculating endlessly about the storylines and character developments in the upcoming movie, Thunderbolts, much like my friends and I did for The Marvels during the majority of 2023 (and quite a bit before that as well).

Essentially, some individuals share the same level of enthusiasm for Thunderbolts* as I had for The Marvels. If you’ve followed my reviews on that film over the past couple of years, this statement carries significant weight.

Equipped with this understanding, I’ve chosen to create an opportunity for certain fans to express their thoughts on the Marvel movie they are most eagerly awaiting. This is why the comeback of this compilation series has been so successful.

Similarly to how I sought insights from a group of online friends who share a passion for ‘The Marvels’ in 2023, I’ve once again turned to this same circle to gather their thoughts on ‘Thunderbolts’. This article will present the views of the first two participants, while Part Two will delve into the opinions of two more fans.

Featured fan: Lynn (@st4rrdust)

Initially, we have Lynn (@st4rrdust on Twitter/X), a 21-year-old enthusiast hailing from Canada. Among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) various aspects that she adores are the Ant-Man and Wasp trilogy, Captain Marvel, The Marvels, Eternals, Agatha All Along, not forgetting Thunderbolts*. However, she appreciates everything MCU has to offer.

Lynn’s passion for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ignited in 2018 with “Avengers: Infinity War.” Upon learning about the movie and uncovering spoilers, she became captivated by the characters’ defeat and the mysterious demise of half the universe. This intrigue prompted her to watch the film to delve deeper into the story. As Lynn explains, “Ever since then, the MCU and its fandom have brought immense joy into my life. I cherish the excitement of anticipating new movies and shows throughout the year, and I appreciate the wide array of characters, moods, and narratives that this cinematic universe offers — it truly caters to everyone’s tastes.

Six years ago, Lynn’s love for the Thunderbolts team specifically started around May 2019, soon after she watched Avengers: Endgame. This is when she first heard whispers about an unannounced movie that was rumored to be in production. Being a big fan of Ava Starr (Ghost) – her favorite character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – Lynn expresses that she was naturally thrilled by any project hinting at Ava’s potential return.

The announcement I eagerly anticipated, half-jokingly and half-seriously, every time Kevin Feige stepped on stage was “Thunderbolts“. Ava’s character has always intrigued me, and for a while, it seemed uncertain what would become of her following “Ant-Man and the Wasp“. Although it’s been years since Hollywood trade officials confirmed that “Thunderbolts” is greenlit, Lynn still finds it “a bit unreal” when she thinks about it.

Lynn attributes the unique charm of the “Thunderbolts” movie to its themes, not just for reintroducing her beloved character, but also because it focuses on characters who are often overlooked within the storyline and among fans. This is hinted at in the earlier summary.

Lynn observes that members of this band of unconventional protagonists have a past filled with conflicts, exhibit peculiar and uncomfortable traits, have taken intricate paths in dealing with their circumstances, and are all grappling with challenges at present. She suggests that the camaraderie they will forge among themselves will be nothing short of stunning.

Speaking about a personal connection to the film, Lynn explains that the movie underscores the idea that everyone holds inherent worth – regardless of past errors, the need for assistance, or if their value isn’t immediately recognized by others or themselves. “I am genuinely thrilled about Thunderbolts*, as it promises to explore the mental health aspects of these characters, and I believe this narrative could prove to be exceptionally powerful.

Regarding her expectations for the film, Lynn is eagerly anticipating a revisit or continuation of Ava’s debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “I adore seeing connections, so any nod or reference to Ava’s tale from Ant-Man and the Wasp would bring me immense pleasure.

As a devoted cinephile, during every interview for this series, I posed one last – and undeniably significant – query to each fan who graciously shared their thoughts with me. They were free to respond in a serious or playful manner, whichever felt more fitting to them.

You’ve correctly identified the topic – I was asking about the asterisk. Could you please clarify its purpose or any related information, if possible? Thanks in advance!

In simpler terms, you’re asking about the asterisk in the title and Lynn explains it’s a personal connection for her to the character Ava Starr. She uses this symbol often on her keyboard, and also mentions that the word “asterisk” comes from the Greek word for “little star.” So, she’s drawing a parallel between the asterisk in the title and Ava Starr. It seems Lynn is quite fond of Ava Starr!

Featured fan: @jecknek

In this piece, I interviewed our second ardent fan of the film “Thunderbolts”, who was kind enough to offer her insights about the movie for this article. She prefers to be recognized by her Twitter handle @jecknek. When she’s not busy, she enjoys writing and is currently honing her skills in photography, with a focus on capturing images of animals and nature.

Her initial encounter with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was through her father, who cherished Marvel and spent his youth immersed in comic books. As a 16-year-old user named @jecknek candidly admits, “I’ve been a fan for longer than you might expect, considering my current age.” She can’t pinpoint the exact age when she became deeply invested, but she believes it was around her eleventh birthday when her father gathered the family together and led them through a marathon viewing of all the Marvel films in sequential order. Now, the entire family is fully immersed in the franchise, having watched the 35th MCU movie, “Captain America: Brave New World,” in cinemas as recently as February.

She became slightly thrilled about the idea of Thunderbolts as soon as it was unveiled. The film truly piqued her interest, but it wasn’t until she discovered that Ava Starr (Ghost) and Antonia Dreykov (Taskmaster) were going to be in it – characters she’s spent years admiring from afar without any hope of their return to the big screen – that she became genuinely excited. She’s also eager about Yelena’s involvement, a character she’s been fascinated with since Black Widow: “The prospect of her potentially having her own limelight in a movie has kept me updated on Thunderbolts news for quite some time.

She’s particularly drawn to the film’s choice to center on character development and explore themes often overlooked in typical superhero-like movies, such as internal struggles, identity crises, and questions about purpose. These topics will undoubtedly impact all the Thunderbolts differently. Additionally, she admires the movie’s underlying message: the desire to help others when one is unable to help oneself.

In her opinion, “Thunderbolts” deviates from the typical formula of a hero movie where they band together to vanquish an immense evil. Instead, it seems to focus on individuals who share similar hardships and pain, finding comfort in each other and discovering a unique way to combat what is perceived as darkness, not through conflict but through understanding and support. This film holds a special place for @jecknek because, as she expresses, “It’s far more than just another hero versus villain tale — it’s a narrative about learning to move on and let go with the help of others who have experienced similar struggles.

Beyond the points previously mentioned, @jecknek openly expresses her joy at receiving an abundance of fresh Ava and Antonia content. She likens the situation to a prolonged dry spell experienced with both sources!

Regarding Antonia, @jecknek is eagerly anticipating more development in this character. Despite the fact that she’s barely featured in the trailers, @jecknek isn’t alarmed by this as it might be a deliberate marketing move. They believe there’s great potential in exploring her character and relationships with others, hoping that they won’t miss out on this opportunity.

She’s quite curious to observe how Antonia connects with Ava and Yelena, as she believes these three could form an intriguing group. Her interest stems from the possibility of delving into a potential relationship between Yelena and Antonia, given their striking shared traumas in “Black Widow” and brief encounters, which she finds compelling.

Regarding the mysterious asterisk in the movie’s title, @jecknek proposes an intriguing theory: “Initially, before larger trailers were released, I assumed the asterisk was used to highlight their team name (implying some sort of significance), but now I believe it indicates that their team name is not permanent.

She’s picked up on a few understated clues from the movie promotions – like the fact that no one except Alexei appears to be accepting the team name – and has spotted indications in the trailers that the audience might perceive the characters as more than just a group of questionable former adversaries. This, combined with other observations, is making her believe that the Thunderbolts members may end up with larger-than-expected identities, possibly ones they don’t choose themselves.

And what’s one such “bigger” name that could be on the horizon for this team?

If the recent cast reveal for the upcoming movie “Avengers: Doomsday” (set to release in May 2026) is anything to go by, it seems that this group of unlikely heroes may soon graduate from being known merely as “The Thunderbolts”.

Thunderbolts* hits theatres on May 2nd, 2025. Pre-sale tickets are available now.

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2025-04-28 20:15