In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), few characters have sparked as much intrigue and speculation as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
This enigmatic figure first appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), and her subsequent cameo in the end credits of Black Widow (2021) left audiences guessing about her motives and plans.
It quickly became apparent that she was on a mission to recruit a team of morally ambiguous characters, raising questions about her intentions and the role she would play in the MCU.
As we approach the release of Thunderbolts (2025), it is evident that Valentina is assembling an impressive group of characters—though not your typical Avengers.
Thunderbolts promises to be a significant part of Marvel’s Phase 5, culminating in a unique alliance of former villains and anti-heroes from previous films and Disney+ series.
The Thunderbolts have a rich and complex history in the comics, featuring a constantly evolving roster and varied motivations. This live-action adaptation holds the potential for a multitude of exciting storylines.
The Release Date of ‘Thunderbolts’
Thunderbolts is slated for release on May 5, 2025. Initially, it was set for a July 26, 2024 premiere, but several delays have shifted its timeline.
The film is now positioned as the second of four Marvel movies scheduled for release in 2025, alongside Captain America: Brave New World in February and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July. The much-anticipated Blade movie is also scheduled for a November release. However, given the lack of a director for Blade, further delays seem likely.
The release of Thunderbolts faced setbacks due to the writers’ and actors’ strike, impacting its filming schedule. Principal photography was expected to start in June 2023.
During CinemaCon 2024, Kevin Feige teased that there will be an interesting twist associated with the film’s title, hinting that audiences will need to watch it to fully understand its significance.
Is ‘Thunderbolts’ Going to Theaters?
Yes, Thunderbolts will be released in theaters, including IMAX venues, following the tradition of Marvel Studios films. The movie aims to kick off a blockbuster summer movie season in 2025, sharing the spotlight with other major releases such as Mission: Impossible 8, Superman, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Trailer and First Looks
On September 23, 2024, Marvel Studios released the teaser trailer for Thunderbolts, accompanied by Pixies’ classic song “Where Is My Mind?” This three-and-a-half-minute teaser offers glimpses into the team’s dynamic and hints at their upcoming mission.
The tagline warns viewers to “be careful who you assemble,” signaling that this ragtag group of anti-heroes is up to something complex.
The initial promotional material debuted at the 2022 D23 Expo, where Marvel leader Kevin Feige showcased a striking piece of concept art by Andy Park. The artwork featured the entire team, illuminated by a burst of lights and camera flashes.
The confirmed team lineup includes Valentina, Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko). During this reveal, Feige also introduced the director, Jake Schrier, and the cast members, including a special message from Florence Pugh, who couldn’t be there in person.
At San Diego Comic Con 2024, the cast and crew presented the first footage of the film. The trailer opens with Yelena reuniting with her “father,” Red Guardian, hinting at comedic moments as he shows his role as a father figure. The footage also updates viewers on the lives of other team members, including John Walker, who is now a father himself.
Yelena and John Walker eventually come face to face as they go on a mission to retrieve an item of interest. Along the way, they meet Ghost and Taskmaster, both sporting new, comic-accurate costumes. Their initial conflict is interrupted by a mysterious character named Bob (Lewis Pullman), who plays a pivotal role in the formation of this new superhero team.
The Star-Studded Cast of ‘Thunderbolts’
The film boasts a remarkable cast, featuring talents from various previous MCU projects. The lineup includes Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Olga Kurylenko from Black Widow, along with Sebastian Stan and Wyatt Russell from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus reprises her role as Valentina, and Hannah John-Kamen returns as Ghost from Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018).
Notably, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is expected to serve as the team’s de-facto leader, though details about the group’s dynamics are still under wraps.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine remains shrouded in mystery, with her motives still unclear. We know that she was once married to Agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), a revelation made in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus has hinted that Thunderbolts will address many questions surrounding her character, promising a film with a focus on practical action rather than relying heavily on CGI. She remarked, “It’s very well organized. Very methodical. And I don’t mean that in a negative way. They’re very much focused on, frankly, the human story, believe it or not.”
The film was initially rumored to feature the legendary Harrison Ford, who was set to take over the role of Thunderbolt Ross from the late William Hurt. However, Kevin Feige announced at San Diego Comic Con 2024 that Thunderbolt Ross would not be making an appearance in the film, despite the team’s name.
In early 2023, Ayo Edebiri was announced to join the cast in an undisclosed role, but she later dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Geraldine Viswanathan stepped in to replace her, while Steven Yeun also joined the cast but later exited.
His role has since been recast with Lewis Pullman, who portrays the character Bob in the footage screened at SDCC. Rumors suggest that Pullman could be playing Robert Reynolds, the character who becomes Sentry—a hero with formidable powers and a dark side. Viswanathan will play Mel, Valentina’s assistant.
The Plot of ‘Thunderbolts’
Thunderbolts serves as a spiritual sequel to Black Widow, centering on the characters Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, John Walker, and Taskmaster.
They are recruited by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine to undertake missions for the U.S. government. However, the plot thickens when they cross paths during a mission and encounter a super-powered individual named “Bob,” leading them to suspect that they may have been set up.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus has humorously addressed the secrecy surrounding Marvel’s plots, emphasizing the rigorous NDAs that cast members must sign.
“If I say one more thing, somebody from Marvel is going to come out here and shoot me in the head,” she joked, highlighting the lengths the studio goes to keep details under wraps.
The official synopsis from Marvel Studios reads:
“Marvel Studios presents ‘Thunderbolts,’ an irreverent team-up featuring depressed assassin Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) alongside the MCU’s least anticipated band of misfits.
The film also brings back Marvel Cinematic Universe characters Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), along with some exciting new faces.”
The Creative Team Behind ‘Thunderbolts’
Jake Schrier takes the helm as the director of Thunderbolts. Schrier made a notable impression in 2012 with Robot & Frank and followed it up with the successful adaptation of Paper Towns (2015).
Although he has primarily directed music videos and specials, Thunderbolts marks his return to feature filmmaking after nearly a decade.
The screenplay is co-written by Lee Sung Jin and Eric Pearson, with Kevin Feige producing the project. Sung Jin expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Schrier again after their successful partnership on the Netflix series Beef.
“It’s the whole squad again. Jake asked me if I would come on board. I probably should have taken a break, but there’s a lot of themes and exciting things about the movie that I couldn’t help but sign on,” Sung Jin remarked.
When asked about the film’s tone, Schrier noted, “It was just a really different approach and a new kind of story to tell amid that. I know they’ve made so many things, but it’s not a sequel. Yes, these characters have appeared before, but it is a new story with a very different perspective than maybe people aren’t expecting.”
Filming Locations and Schedule
David Harbour provided an update in November about filming schedules, revealing that he would be juggling Thunderbolts and Stranger Things Season 5.
Both projects were filming in Atlanta, Georgia, which facilitated his participation in both. Harbour explained the logistics of managing both roles, indicating a structured schedule that allowed for both productions to coexist.
In March 2024, Florence Pugh confirmed on Instagram that filming for Thunderbolts had begun, sharing a glimpse of her in costume on set. Later, filming was reported to wrap up by June 2024.
The Future of ‘Thunderbolts’
As we approach the release of Thunderbolts in 2025, anticipation continues to grow for this unique team of anti-heroes. The dynamics of their relationships, combined with Valentina’s mysterious leadership, promise a thrilling addition to the MCU.
The blend of humor and action, along with the impressive cast and creative team, sets the stage for a memorable cinematic experience. The journey of these characters will undoubtedly be one to watch as they show the blurred lines between heroism and villainy.
With an intriguing plot, complex characters, and the rich scheme of the Marvel Universe, Thunderbolts has all the elements to leave audiences eagerly awaiting what comes next in the MCU.
