‘Thunderbolts*’ Director Jake Schreier Talks ‘The Suicide Squad’ and ‘The Expendables’ Differences: “It had this twist on that.”

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The new movie titled “Thunderbolts” has hit theaters, and it’s currently receiving positive feedback from both fans and critics alike. The box office numbers indicate a promising future for this film, suggesting that it may ultimately prove to be a huge success. Additionally, it seems like a strong hint of what’s to come in the upcoming “Fantastic Four” movie.

As a die-hard fan, I must admit that the upcoming movie has generated quite a buzz, yet it’s not without its share of pre-release debate. Some have even raised the question of whether it might be unfairly compared to James Gunn’s masterpiece, “The Suicide Squad,” and the high-octane “Expendables” franchise.

During a recent interview with the media, filmmaker Jake Schreier discussed this topic and shared insights on how Thunderbolts stacks up against those two films.

*Note: In this context, “Thunderbolts” is likely referring to an unspecified movie or project, as no movie titled “Thunderbolts” is currently known.

In the interview, Schreier was questioned about the comparison made by fans that Thunderbolts resembles Marvel’s take on Suicide Squad or The Expendables. Upon closer inspection, it does share a similar concept. The storyline involves a collection of villains and anti-heroes being brought together to carry out a dangerous mission. This is a common theme in these types of movies.

However, Schreier seems to view the matter as not inherently problematic. Please note that from here onwards, there may be spoilers from the movie, so tread carefully when reading further.

In essence, Eric Pearson’s script and Brian Chapek’s development of it were clever because it introduced a unique twist. From the start, instead of forming a covert team for black ops, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine sets them against each other with the intention of making them kill one another.

Although this may seem comparable, Schreier holds a different perspective. Essentially, from the start, I perceived it as unique, and we aimed to stand out by focusing on internal character development rather than external conflicts, delving deeper into personal struggles instead. This, in turn, allowed us to find a distinct approach, he explained.

I too believe that James Gunn’s work on Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad was nothing short of amazing. It made those characters seem like a band of misfits who thought they were heroes or main characters, much like John Walker. However, things didn’t go as planned for them, leaving us to wonder about their journey when things don’t turn out as we expected. Essentially, it’s about exploring the experiences of individuals who believed they were destined for greatness but faced setbacks, and how they navigate their way out of such situations.

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2025-05-05 15:14