Thunderboltsis going to be a breath of fresh air if Sebastian Stan’s comments about theMCU’s newest superhero team are to be believed, and now I’m even more excited about it.Thunderboltsis due to be released on May 2 and will debut a unique lineup of the titular team from Marvel Comics, made up of some ofthe MCU’s most compelling minor villainsand antiheroes. The fact thatThunderbolts*will be released just a few months beforeFantastic Four: First Stepswill debut one of Marvel Studios' most illustrious teams intensifies their relative obscurity.
Now, I think this is a good thing. The live-action rendition of the Thunderbolts comprises somesurprising MCU fan-favorite characters, not least of whom is Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes. While there areplenty ofThunderbolts*story detailsstill to ascertain, trailer footage conveys the less-than-ideal circumstances under which the team first forms, with Bucky shown to be on the offensive initially. I’m looking forward to the complications that are seemingly due to emerge between the team members, especially now that Sebastian Stan has helped to confirm that this will make for a particularly engaging dynamic.
Sebastian Stan Recently Explained How Thunderbolts* Differs From Other Marvel Teams
Sebastian Stan Asserts That Thunderbolts* Will Be Able To Stand On Its Own Merits
Sebastian Stan recently spoke toEntertainment Tonightat the 82nd Golden Globe Awards where he was asked about the status ofThunderbolts*. Stan stopped short of unveiling too much information aboutthe upcoming MCU moviebut asserted that it is capable of “standing on its own” despite promising to deliver some significant developments for the wider MCU (such as the debut of Sentry). He justifies this by pointing out howthere aren’t any comparable teams in the MCU before floating the concern that they are capable of killing each other. His full response is as follows:
“I think this movie’s very singular and it will stand on its own. I know these are bold words, but there’s no other Marvel group that you can kind of compare us to. It’s its own thing. I like The Breakfast Club, that’s the best way of describing…yeah, a pair of misfits that hopefully don’t kill each other…it’s great, and Florence Pugh and David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, some of the funniest people I’ve ever been around. So it’s…I’m excited for people.”
10 Reasons Marvel’s Thunderbolts* Team Is So Much More Than Marvel’s Suicide Squad
Despite having a similar premise, Marvel’s Thunderbolts* is so much more than a Suicide Squad clone, with multiple things that separate the two.
I think the fact that Sebastian Stan invokesThe Breakfast Clubas part of his response is especially exciting. The MCU has repeatedly proved its proficiency with movies that feature multiple strong characters, butcomparingThunderboltsto such an iconic ensemble movie demonstrates the extent of his confidence. Stating thatThunderboltscan stand on its own is indeed a bold claim, but I’m assured that Stan’s comments will be vindicated simply by virtue of the team’s composition and the footage that has thus far been revealed inThunderbolts*trailers.
We’ve Never Seen A Marvel Superhero Team Like The Thunderbolts* Before
Other Teams Are More Likely To Work Well Together
Sebastian Stan is right, there are no teams like the Thunderbolts currently in the MCU.The differences between them and established MCU teams like the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy are numerous and stark, especially concerning the notable gulf in power levels. Moreover, the dynamic is poised to be wildly different compared to the camaraderie seen inthe MCU’s foremost teamsthus far. While both the Avengers and the Guardians begin their journeys with a scuffle, the fact that theThunderbolts*trailers focus so much on their infighting suggests that this will be a cornerstone feature.
The fact that Taskmaster isn’t seen in much of the Thunderbolts* trailer has led many to theorize that she won’t survive an early encounter.
While the Avengers can be considered co-workers and the Guardians a family, for example,the Thunderbolts are cobbled-together misfits with no overt signs yet of a binding principlebeyond a mutual will to survive some cataclysmic circumstances, as indicated by Yelena Belova’s assessment that “someone wants [them] gone.” This is why I believe Sebastian Stan when he says thatThunderboltswill be capable of standing on its own. After all, I know I’m not alone in wanting something new from the cinematic franchise - which is why I thinkThunderboltsis poised to be one of this year’s biggest hits.
I’m Convinced Thunderbolts* Will Be A Huge Hit For Marvel In 2025
The Cast Is Stacked And Obscure Characters Have Been Working Well In The MCU
I realize there are concerns thatThunderboltsmay fall flat given it spotlights some of the MCU’s less recognizable characters. However, I’d argue this works in the movie’s favor. The tone ofThunderboltslooks like a departure from the norm,offering something entirely fresh in a franchise that some fear is going stale. Plus, sleeper hits from the MCU likeAgatha All Alongand even theGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise prove that fronting relatively obscure characters is irrelevant to a movie’s success so long as the quality is there.
While the characters they portray may not boast the same star power as Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, the strength of the cast as a whole promises a particularly high-quality and decidedly different Marvel movie.
In the case ofThunderbolts*, I think that’s a surefire bet.The fact that Sebastian Stan is now a Golden Globes winner heralds great things, and it comes as no surprise that he would champion his co-stars such as Florence Pugh and David Harbour. While the characters they portray may not boast the same star power as Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, the strength of the cast as a whole promises a particularly high-quality anddecidedly different Marvel movie. With that in mind, I can’t wait to see what Stan and his newfound teammates have cooked up in May.
Thunderbolts*
Cast
Thunderbolts follows seven disillusioned individuals who find themselves trapped in a perilous situation. Tasked with a daunting mission, they must face the most shadowy aspects of their histories in order to survive and achieve their goals.
