Picture this: a group of misfit antiheroes, each with questionable morals, thrown together for a mission so crazy it could only exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Now, imagine this story unfolding not with the glossy, over-the-top CGI spectacle you’re used to but with the grit and intensity of an indie film, something that wouldn’t feel out of place at a late-night A24 screening. Sounds wild, right? Well, that’s exactly what Marvel is cooking up with Thunderbolts*.
For years, the MCU has dominated the box office with superhero epics packed with explosions, witty one-liners, and villains who rarely win. And now, we have Thunderbolts*, which, if the early buzz is to be believed, is gearing up to be Marvel’s most unexpected and intriguing movie yet. Forget your traditional superhero formula, this one’s got an edge.
Florence Pugh teases Thunderbolts* to be an A24-style assassin movie
Florence Pugh, who returns as Yelena Belova in Thunderbolts*, recently dropped a tantalizing hint about the film’s tone. And folks, it’s not what anyone expected. “It ended up becoming this quite badass indie, A24-feeling assassin movie with Marvel superheroes,” Pugh revealed in an interview with Empire. Yes, you read that right. Thunderbolts* isn’t just another standard superhero flick, it’s an assassin indie movie with some serious arthouse vibes.
A Marvel movie that channels the indie spirit? Sign us up. Director Jake Schreier, who previously helmed the critically acclaimed Beef, which, fun fact, was an actual A24 production, seems to be infusing Thunderbolts* with that same emotional depth and darkly comedic tone. He noted,
There’s a certain amount of that Beef tone in it, that does feel different. There’s an emotional darkness that we brought to this that is resonant, but doesn’t come at the expense of comedy.
So, what does this mean for the film? Will we get moody lighting, long pauses for existential dialogue, and a synth-heavy soundtrack? Maybe. Or perhaps Thunderbolts* is simply taking a more grounded, character-driven approach, one that Marvel hasn’t fully explored before. Either way, we’re here for it.
A team of questionable heroes and even more questionable decisions
For those who aren’t up to speed, Thunderbolts* follows a ragtag team of antiheroes and reformed villains. Think of it as Marvel’s answer to Suicide Squad, but with less chaos and probably fewer exploding heads. The lineup includes Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, US Agent, and Taskmaster. Oh, and don’t forget Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who is definitely up to no good.
Given this team’s, let’s say, varied ethical codes, there’s no doubt we’re in for some serious internal drama, snarky banter, and maybe even some emotional gut punches. The blend of dark humor, intense action, and complex character dynamics is exactly what makes an indie film tick. Now, sprinkle in Marvel-sized fight sequences, and Thunderbolts* might just be the boldest superhero project in years.
Of course, there are still plenty of unknowns. Will the film lean fully into the indie assassin aesthetic, or will it still have that polished Marvel finish? Is there a big bad villain, or will the team itself be its own worst enemy? And most importantly, will there be a scene where the squad just sits around in a dimly lit diner discussing the morality of their actions over black coffee and stolen donuts? That feels like a requirement at this point.
No matter what, Thunderbolts* is shaping up to be one of the MCU’s most fascinating projects. Whether it turns out to be a masterpiece or just a weird experiment, one thing’s for sure: it won’t be your typical superhero flick. And honestly, that’s the kind of risk Marvel needs to take right now.
Thunderbolts* will be released in theatres on May 2, 2025.
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