Thunderbolts*: Each Member Of The Thunderbolts Team, Explored

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As a die-hard Marvel fan, I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming Thunderbolts movie! The concept art and exclusive footage from SDCC 2024 have only fueled my anticipation. With Jake Schreier at the helm, it’s shaping up to be an action-packed spectacle that will leave fans on the edge of their seats.

2025 marks the release of Marvel’s Thunderbolts, where we see an assortment of characters with troubled pasts joining forces. These individuals appear to be employed by the U.S. government. Their backgrounds are marred by adversity and darkness, some of whom have been absent from the MCU for a considerable period.

Jake Schreier’s upcoming movie, Thunderbolts, is scheduled to hit theaters on April 30th, 2025. The main cast members have been unveiled through concept art and exclusive footage shown at SDCC 2024. This footage offers a first look at new characters such as Bob from Lewis Pullman’s Sentry, while existing members who are known to the Marvel Cinematic Universe have already made appearances.

1. Yelena Belova

Florence Pugh portrays Yelena Belova, the long-lost sister by adoption of Natasha Romanoff (also known as Black Widow). Trained by the Russian organization called the Red Room, she reconnects with Natasha in the film Black Widow. Together with their adoptive parents, they aim to take down General Dreykov’s Red Room. Yelena appears again in Hawkeye in 2021.

In the storyline, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine assigns a fresh contract to Yelena. However, due to her sister’s demise at Clint Barton (Hawkeye)’s hands in Avengers: Endgame, Yelena initially views him as an enemy. This conflict resolves itself in the series Hawkeye, marking Yelena’s latest role within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

2. Bucky Barnes

Bucky Barnes, a World War II comrade of Steve Rogers who belonged to the Howling Commandos, was seized by Hydra agents from Russia and manipulated into becoming The Winter Soldier. Equipped with a high-tech prosthetic arm, Steve assisted Bucky in recovering his consciousness, with Wakanda offering aid as depicted in Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. To this day, Bucky’s tale remains impactful for many viewers.

In the series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier from 2021, Bucky, who is also called White Wolf among the Wakandans, aided Sam Wilson (Falcon) in embracing the role of Captain America. Now that he has dealt with his past and taken care of those he had wronged, it’s intriguing to wonder about Bucky’s part in the upcoming team assembled for the 2025 movie, Thunderbolts.

3. Red Guardian

Alexei Shostakov, who portrayed the Soviet Union’s version of Captain America (Red Guardian), appeared as the adoptive father of Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova in the MCU. Played by David Harbour, Shostakov first appeared in 2020’s Black Widow, driven by a desire to avenge himself on General Dreykov. Footage shown at SDCC indicates that Alexei is particularly thrilled about joining the Thunderbolts team, viewing it as an opportunity to regain the recognition he missed out on earlier.

4. U.S.Agent

In a turn of events, John Walker, who took over the Captain America mantle from Sam Wilson, found himself at odds with Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Together they fought against the Flag Smashers. However, burdened by feelings of inadequacy, Walker covertly administered the super soldier serum to himself. This act culminated in a controversial public killing of a surrendering Flag Smasher in the 2021 movie “Falcon and Winter Soldier.” This incident serves as a stark reminder of Walker’s struggles and his place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Initially driven by a desire for retribution following his demotion by the US government, John Walker eventually joins forces with Captain America and the Winter Soldier to thwart an assault by the Flag Smashers on the GRC. Post-release, he chooses to serve under Valentina, assuming the role of the MCU’s U.S. Agent, working clandestinely for the country in preparation for future missions, possibly extending into 2025’s Thunderbolts.

5. Taskmaster

In the 2020 film Black Widow, Taskmaster – a character previously working for General Dreykov’s Red Room – was unveiled as none other than Dreykov’s daughter, Antonia. A chip had altered Antonia into a deadly assassin. As events unfolded, Antonia, like the other Widows, managed to break free from Dreykov’s control with the help of Red Dust. This left viewers intrigued to learn more about Antonia’s past and her actions before joining the Thunderbolts.

6. Ghost

Hannah John-Kamen’s character, known as Ghost, was once a covert agent for SHIELD prior to its collapse. She had been rendered intangible due to a quantum mishap, which she later treated using a quantum tunnel. Eventually, the condition was controlled by Janet van Dynce, who was retrieved from the Quantum Realm. As of now, Ghost’s whereabouts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) are unclear, six years after her appearance in Ant-Man and the Wasp. However, it is anticipated that she will be sporting a new suit in future appearances.

7. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine

In 2021’s Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character Valentina was introduced, who has since been assembling agents for an upcoming group of covert operatives. Her role in this year’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever unveiled her position as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Director of the CIA, hinting that the Thunderbolts will be a secret black ops team operating under U.S. Government authority. The significance of Val’s role suggests that the Thunderbolts will wield significant influence within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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2024-08-18 11:08