Release date, trailer… Everything you need to know about Thunderbolts*, Marvel’s anti-Avengers

Of Suicide Squad has Jokervillain stories have always sold DC Comics, with varying degrees of success. Now, Marvel is counter-attacking with a team of anti-heroes ready for a fight: the Thunderbolts*, most of which have already been seen in previous productions. Trailer, release date, characters… Here’s everything you need to know about this Marvel film, which is set to conclude Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The trailer for Thunderbolts*

What is the release date of Thunderbolts* In France ?

The film is scheduled for release on April 30, 2025, in theaters in France. A date that has been pushed back many times, following the writers’ and actors’ strike that hit Hollywood in 2023.

Who are the characters of Thunderbolts* ?

If you have continued to follow the Marvel Cinematic Universe in recent years, already, congratulations. And you have surely already met the characters who will make up the fine team of Thunderbolts. We find there:

• Yelena Belova, a former Black Widow and the adopted sister of Avenger Natasha Romanoff, played by Scarlett Johansson in the films. She has already been seen in the film Black Widow from 2021, then in the series Hawkeyein which she stalked Clint Barton. Yelena seems to be central to the plot of Thunderbolts*and the one that brings the team together.

• Ava Starr, or Ghost, was last seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) and has worked for a long time with SHIELD, who gave her her costume. She has powerful powers, including the ability to turn invisible and pass through objects.

• John Walker is a sort of alter ego of Captain America, designated to succeed him after the events ofAvengers: Endgame (2019). He first appears in the series Falcon and the Winter Soldierin 2021, and works for the US government.

• Antonia Dreykov, or Taskmaster, was the main antagonist of Black Widow. She was then under the control of her father, General Dreykov, who created the elite Black Widow program. At the end of the film, she was able to escape from this hold and regain her freedom.

• Alexei Shostakov, or the Red Guardian, is a bit of a Russian Captain America, also seen in Black Widow. He is an important father figure to Natasha and Yelena: the latter even calls him “dad” in the trailer for Thunderbolts*.

• Bucky Barnes, or the Winter Soldier, comes from another Marvel universe: that of Captain America, since he is his former best friend. Present from the first film dedicated to the superhero, he will go from the status of ally to that of antagonist, before joining the good guys’ side again (or not). His story was at the heart of the series Falcon and the Winter Soldierin 2021.

• Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is another well-known Marvel character, who made her first appearance in Falcon and the Winter Soldieras the head of the CIA. As seen in the trailer, she seems to be the one who brought the Thunderbolts*but it is still unclear for what mission.

• Bob is the only character in Thunderbolts* to appear on screen for the first time. But fans have already unmasked his role: it could be Robert Reynolds, or The Sentry, namely one of the most powerful and dangerous superheroes ever created by Marvel.

What is the distribution of this Suicide Squad Marvel version?

Most of the original cast and actresses will reprise their roles for Thunderbolts*The cast will therefore be composed of:

• Florence Pugh: Yelena Belova
• Sebastian Stan: Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier
• Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost
• Wyatt Russell as John Walker / US Agent
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Valentina de Fontaine
• David Harbour: Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian
• Olga Kurylenko: Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster
• Lewis Pullman: Robert Reynolds / Sentry
• Harrison Ford as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross

Note that Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead) was originally supposed to play the role of Bob, before being eventually replaced by Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick), due to scheduling issues. Harrison Ford (Star Wars), he will take over from William Hurt to continue playing Thaddeus Ross in the MCU, after his death in 2022.

Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) should have been there, before finally giving way to Geraldine Viswanathan (Miracle Workers), as assistant to Valentina de Fontaine.

Thunderbolts* is directed by Jake Schreier (Robot and FranckThe screenplay is written by Joanna Calo (The Bear), Lee Sung Jin (Relentless) as well as Eric Pearson (Black Widow). An excellent team behind the camera, then.

What will be the plot of Thunderbolts* ?

The first trailer, released on September 23, 2024, remains rather vague regarding the exact story of Thunderbolts. We still understand that these anti-heroes fall together into a trap, and will have to join forces to survive, facing an unknown threat. They could be directed by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Fights, explosions and twists of fate will obviously be part of it.

Why is there an asterisk in the title of the film?

Since the announcement of Thunderbolts*fans are trying to figure out why a mysterious asterisk has been added to the end of the film’s title. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has confirmed that this detail is not trivial and that it will have an importance in the feature film. We should therefore learn more when watching Thunderbolts*.

Some keen observers think that this asterisk is there to indicate the temporary nature of this team name: they could therefore finally decide to call themselves the Dark Avengers. A rather logical idea, since The Sentry, Marvel’s ultra-dangerous superhero, will be present in Thunderbolts*. In the comics, he first appeared in 2009 in… Dark Avengers.

Which Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and series should you watch before Thunderbolts* ?

With its many characters from Black Widow or of Captain America, Thunderbolts could almost become a sequel to these two universes. The feature film is indeed part of the continuity of several films and series, which we advise you to watch before joining this team of villains: