Thunderbolts Marvel Movie Review
The upcoming Marvel movie “Thunderbolts” is set to hit theaters on July 26, 2025. This anti-hero team-up film brings together some of the most interesting and complex characters from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this review, we’ll take a first look at what to expect from the plot, cast, and tone of Thunderbolts.
Marvel’s ‘Thunderbolts’ Cast,
Led by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the Thunderbolts are essentially a Suicide Squad-type team of villains and anti-heroes who are sent on dangerous black ops missions. The first trailer shows the team coming together, with characters like Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko).
Thunderbolts Marvel Release Date
Thunderbolts has an official release date of July 26, 2025. This places it within Marvel’s Phase 5 timeline, after films like The Marvels and Blade. Leading up to the film’s release, fans can rewatch previous appearances of characters like Yelena in Black Widow and John Walker in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+.
The plot seems to revolve around the Thunderbolts being recruited for a top-secret mission that even Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) doesn’t know about. There appear to be elements of espionage, political thriller, and traditional superhero action all rolled into one.
Based on the edgy, sarcastic tone of the trailer, Thunderbolts seems to be following in the footsteps of James Gunn’s wildly popular Suicide Squad and Peacemaker. This comedic angle mixes well with the inherent drama and complexity of an anti-hero team.
Florence Pugh’s Yelena is clearly being set up as the protagonist, as she voices over the trailer expressing reluctance teaming up with “a bunch of criminals.” This mismatched group will inevitably come into conflict with one another even as they complete their shadowy mission.
The Thunderbolts roster is rounded out by several powerhouses, including Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier, Hannah John-Kamen’s phase-shifting Ghost, and Olga Kurylenko’s mind-controlled martial arts master Taskmaster. Under the direction of Contraband’s Baltasar Kormákur, the movie promises plenty of hand-to-hand combat showcases.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is the one who brings this motley crew together. As an ex-SHIELD agent turned international spy, she manipulates the Thunderbolts into fighting for her mysterious causes.
Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) is back providing oversight, after last appearing in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. And Wyatt Russell returns as the disgraced super-soldier John Walker, who should have an ax to grind with Bucky.
The success of Thunderbolts likely hinges on the complex character dynamics and gritty action. With fan favorites like Yelena and Bucky leading the team, Thunderbolts could end up surpassing expectations just as Guardians of the Galaxy and Suicide Squad once did. This is one MCU anti-hero team-up not to be missed when Thunderbolts strikes theaters in July 2025.