Is MCU’s ‘Thunderbolts’ the Return to Basics Fans Have Been Waiting For?

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“Thunderbolts*” may not revive the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Previously thriving in the cinematic landscape, the franchise has faced setbacks with films such as “Eternals,” “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” and “The Marvels.” This year’s release, “Captain America: New World Order,” demonstrated some renewed energy, but its domestic earnings of $200 million are significantly lower than those of its most successful installments.

Currently, estimates suggest that “Thunderbolts” could secure a box office take of around $70-$75 million during its initial release, as reported by Variety.

That’s not the biggest news to come out of the standalone feature.

Director Jake Schreier’s film is free of anything resembling woke.

Indeed, following the introduction of Identity Politics in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s more recent productions, “Thunderbolts” primarily focuses on an engaging narrative, humor, overcoming personal struggles, and discovering camaraderie as a source of happiness through teamwork.

*Note: The original term used was “Thunderbolts,” which is the title of a fictional superhero team in the Marvel Comics Universe.

That’s it.

The cast is not disrupted by character racial swaps or overtly political narratives. Dialogue flows smoothly without pausing for explicit moralizing. Unlike “Avengers: Endgame,” there are no lengthy sequences emphasizing female empowerment.

Nothing.

As a die-hard MCU fan, I must admit that there’s always room for debate when it comes to evaluating the magic of each new film release. However, one thing I can confidently say is that David Harbour’s comedic performance as the Red Guardian in this film has left me laughing just as hard (if not harder) than any previous MCU comedy moments. And let’s not forget Florence Pugh’s exceptional versatility – her stunning portrayal in “Midsommar” is a testament to her ability to effortlessly transcend genre boundaries, making her performances in the MCU even more captivating.

Disney has deliberately avoided incorporating ‘woke’ themes in their more recent projects. For instance, movies such as “Moana 2” and “Inside Out 2” have steered clear of such messaging, and this approach seems to have resonated with audiences who showed strong support for both films. Moreover, the recently released Disney+ series “Win or Lose” made a conscious decision to remove a trans-related storyline from its family-friendly narrative about a softball team aiming for the playoffs.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has repeatedly said he wants to get back to the basics. He might even mean it.

As a devoted fan, I’m excited about the upcoming reboot “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” but I must admit that the transition isn’t entirely smooth. The character of Silver Surfer, a mainstay in the comic book series for decades, is now gender-swapped – which is intriguing, given there was a female version in the source material. However, this new iteration doesn’t align with the familiar character fans have grown to love over the years.

Even the actress playing the part was confused by the decision.

That film’s stars are also sabotaging the marketing efforts with their woke pronouncements.

The film may be 100 percent woke-free, but audiences may suspect otherwise.

Despite continuing to incorporate a more progressive narrative into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it seems Disney is taking fan feedback on board. However, will this adjustment alone be sufficient for “Thunderbolts” to emerge as the summer’s initial box office hit?

Starting this coming Friday, we’ll begin uncovering some answers as the movie goes on wide release across the country. A more comprehensive understanding might become clearer during the subsequent weekend, once official discussions about the film start spreading among viewers.

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2025-04-30 19:05