Marvel’s Thunderbolts Stars Spill Secrets Behind MCU’s Most Shocking, Mind-Bending Team-Up

by

In Jake Schreier’s movie “Thunderbolts”, there’s a moment where Sebastian Stan‘s character Bucky Barnes disrupts an image that Wyatt Russell’s John Walker has been trying to maintain. This leads to John Walker giving a particularly vulnerable glance to Florence Pugh’s character Yelena Belova, which might cause viewers to reconsider their feelings towards the fallen Captain America from “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” on Disney+. It’s one of the many surprising instances in what is arguably Marvel Studios’ most unforeseen superhero storyline so far.

Just yesterday, I got the chance to chat with Stan and Russell over at The Hollywood Reporter about some unexpected aspects of the movie that truly caught my attention. One such element was Congressman Barnes, a character who made his debut in Captain America: Brave New World. In a heartfelt scene, Bucky dropped by to see Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), a moment when his friend needed him the most. However, their emotional reunion had to be cut short because of an annoying campaign fundraiser.

In Thunderbolts, we find Bucky Barnes, formerly known as the Winter Soldier and now elected as a congressman, resembling an esteemed athlete who has been called back to the team to serve as a goodwill ambassador. While he doesn’t play an active role in the daily affairs, his presence brings comfort to the fans who fondly remember him. However, as hinted by Thunderbolts’ advertising strategy, which pays tribute to Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Bucky can only keep the non-brainwashed Winter Soldier dormant for a limited time.

He’s also harbored some doubts about Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character, Valentina, and it seems to him that [congress] is a means to monitor her – legally and ethically. However, he later decides, ‘I can handle this in my own way, the method I’ve always employed as The Winter Soldier,’ explains Stans to THR, advocating for the May 2 release of Thunderbolts.

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I eagerly awaited December 2023, when Russell gave THR a tantalizing hint about Thunderbolts not being your usual Marvel superhero flick. It turns out that the movie is actually centered around mental health issues. Louis-Dreyfus’ character, Valentine Allegra de Fontaine from the CIA, has gathered a group of MCU misfits and loners – including Yelena, Walker, Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and a newcomer named “Bob” (Lewis Pullman) – who were initially tasked to eliminate each other for Fontaine’s sinister purposes. However, they surprisingly opt to join forces in the face of this apparent setup, banding together to counter her plans.

On their journey, every antihero finds themselves compelled to delve into the darkest recesses of their psyche. Eager to prove that “Thunderbolts” isn’t merely another assembly of superheroes, Russell, a former distinguished hockey player, takes it upon himself to silence any doubters.

*Note: “Thunderbolts” is likely a fictional team or concept in the context provided.

As a passionate enthusiast, I found myself among a group who declared, “Let’s take this project and turn it into something extraordinary, something that will leave people speechless.” Given my sports background, I couldn’t help but feel a thrill at the prospect of proving wrong those who doubted, “This movie’s going to flop, I have no intention of watching it.

In their latest chat with THR, Stan and Russell delve into the extremely cooperative vibe that characterized the Thunderbolts film set.

***

Sebastian, our conversation at the beginning of the pandemic comes to mind, and you mentioned that by not passing the shield to Bucky, Steve Rogers in a sense gave his friend a fresh start on his own terms. Could it be that Congressman Barnes is exploring new opportunities because he now has the chance to do so?

SEBASTIAN STAN Think about a football team’s quarterback stepping down or leaving, but he continues to hang around even though he’s no longer playing. People are like, “Sure thing, buddy, do what you feel is best.” He seems to want to contribute in some form, and they acknowledge him with a friendly pat on the back, saying, “It’s great to have you here.” In this context, he’s persistently trying to find a way to be valuable, and perhaps someone suggested he explore politics as a means of remaining relevant.

WYATT RUSSELL I like that analogy. 

It’s quite unexpected, but he decides to return from retirement and continue with what he’s been accustomed to. He also harbors doubts about Valentina, so I believe this move to congress is his attempt to monitor her in a legitimate and ethical manner. Later on, he concludes that he can handle this situation using the methods he’s always employed, those of The Winter Soldier.

Hey Wyatt, during Monarch, you mentioned to me that Thunderbolts holds a depth that transcends typical superhero narratives, and I never imagined it would delve into profound themes like loneliness and depression. Does some part of you find it surprising that the team was able to convey this story in such an impactful way?

RUSSELL Certainly, in part. Transitioning from creating the type of Marvel movies you’ve seen over the last 15 years – with a good understanding of their performance – to something beyond what we typically associate with Marvel is indeed a shift or deviation, and carries an element of risk. This narrative style isn’t commonly found in superhero genres; it’s more about a group of skilled individuals banding together to combat a formidable adversary who poses an existential threat. The fate of the world hangs in the balance – either it will be destroyed or people will vanish, for example – and they must prevent this catastrophe. However, these characters exhibit a strong sense of self-importance, or ‘main character syndrome’, which makes their journey to becoming a cohesive team all the more compelling because they initially resist working together, creating intriguing dynamics among them.

However, it proved difficult as this isn’t a film based on an established Marvel character. There aren’t many characters in the movie who have significant backstories within the Marvel universe. It’s not about Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, or the Avengers. Instead, it features a group of misfit characters, much like the Thunderbolts. The challenge that Kevin Feige presented to Jake Schreier and this cast was exciting: “Let’s do it!

It’s important to note that not everyone followed the same path to success. Most of us didn’t achieve what we have by doing “this” specifically. For instance, I did unconventional TV shows for a long time, and David Harbour has been on Broadway since 2000. Sebastian Stan had a career before joining Marvel, and while he’s been with it for a considerable time, he’s also accomplished so much outside of the Marvel universe. These accomplishments haven’t limited them to just their roles in Marvel. Similarly, Florence Pugh’s story is the same.

We arrived at this point as a collective, saying something along the lines of, “Let’s take ownership of this project, let’s make it exceptional, and let’s leave those who doubt us speechless.” With my athletic background, I felt compelled to say, “I want to prove them wrong if they say, ‘This movie will flop, I have no interest in watching it.’ ” However, once they view the trailer, they often respond, “This seems quite promising.” That part of it appeals to me.

STAN I’ve been fortunate; on many Marvel films I’ve been part of, the mantra has always been “May the best idea prevail, no matter who comes up with it, be it director, actor, or even Kevin.” It’s always been an inclusive environment in this sense, and Thunderbolts was truly exceptional in this regard. They were incredibly open to our suggestions, and if we had a more effective way to deliver a line or present our characters, it was taken into account, sometimes even making it into the final film. Florence, for instance, came up with the initial jump and her unique costume design. Lewis [Pullman] and David also brought valuable ideas to their characters. The fact that we had significant input helped shape the dynamic we ultimately achieved in the movie.

***
Thunderbolts* opens May 2 in movie theaters nationwide.

Read More

2025-04-29 01:25