The Thunderbolts* movie seems to sit in a strange space. Everything about the Thunderbolts seems really underwhelming, but somehow seems cool at the same time. Personally, it’s the Marvel movie I’m least excited about from the 2025 slate. But paradoxically, I can also see it quietly coming along and turning out to be one of the best.
A Criticized Roster
The team roster has faced a lot of criticism, and I’m inclined to agree. Many of these characters feel repetitive. Red Guardian, Bucky Barnes, and US Agent are all essentially different versions of Captain America. Red Guardian is the Russian equivalent – a super soldier with peak strength and speed. Bucky is Hydra’s version of Cap. And US Agent is a twisted government mirror – all super soldiers, all with similar abilities.
To make matters worse, Bucky, Black Widow (Yelena), and Taskmaster are all assassins. Taskmaster was basically Romanov’s Winter Soldier in Black Widow. The team’s skillset feels repetitive – almost all of them rely on guns and hand-to-hand combat. On the surface, this roster seems redundant and in desperate need of variation.
Hope for Personality and Script
However, if the film manages to bring out the unique personalities of these characters, it could work. Take James Gunn’s work on Guardians of the Galaxy – he managed to make characters with similar abilities clash in meaningful ways. For example, both Peter Quill and Rocket are hot-headed tinkerers and sharpshooters, and that dynamic became a source of conflict. I think the Thunderbolts* movie could tap into that same potential.
We already have a foundation for tension between John Walker and Bucky Barnes. Even though they teamed up in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, they are far from being friends. The script could explore these tensions in a way that adds depth to the team dynamic.
Familiar Marvel Archetypes
Despite the redundancy in powers, one thing Marvel excels at is delivering solid action with spy and soldier archetypes. Based on the teaser trailer, the action looks good, giving off strong Captain America: The Winter Soldier vibes – arguably the high point of the MCU’s action sequences.
Bucky looks as intense as he’s been in years, pulling off reverse wheelies and using his iconic disc launcher rifle from Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Initially, I wasn’t a fan of him returning to the long hair, as I saw his shorter hair as a symbol of his growth, but I have to admit – it looks great. In a team full of more recent Marvel additions, it’s comforting to have him as the anchor for this story. I hope this movie gives him more screen time than any of his past appearances.
John Walker, one of the standouts of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, is also intriguing. He’s a compelling anti-hero or villain, depending on your perspective. After failing so publicly, his arc could go in several directions. Will he redeem himself, or will he fully embrace a darker path as a more psychotic Captain America?
The Black Widow 2 Factor
One of my concerns is the overwhelming presence of Black Widow characters. Yelena, Taskmaster, and Red Guardian all appear in this film, making it feel like the sequence of Black Widow. While I understand the connection to Falcon and the Winter Soldier, having three characters from Black Widow feels like overkill. I don’t love these characters, but there is room for interesting development, especially with Taskmaster, who finally has a design that doesn’t disappoint.
Yelena could grow to become my favorite Black Widow, especially considering Florence Pugh’s undeniable star power. If I had to trim the roster, though, Red Guardian would be my choice to cut – we already have enough super soldiers, and his comedic presence doesn’t add much value for me. But I’m open to being proven wrong.
Ghost: A Highlight Among the Roster
Ghost is one of the most interesting members of the team. She was the highlight of Ant-Man and the Wasp with her powers of intangibility, which bring a unique element to the team. Her backstory felt rushed in her debut, but I’m glad Marvel is bringing her back. She bucks the trend of assassins and super soldiers, and her powers have already been used to great effect. The scene of her catching a knife and throwing it at John Walker shows her potential to shine in this movie.
Missing Villains: Zemo and Abomination
One major downside of the Thunderbolts* is the absence of two key villains: Zemo and Abomination. Zemo founded the team in the comics and is a morally complex, Machiavellian character who would have fit perfectly here. If we can get three Black Widow characters, why not three from Falcon and the Winter Soldier?
As for Abomination, I’m largely ignoring his portrayal in She-Hulk because it didn’t work for me. Blonsky’s comedic turn felt out of place, especially after his cameo in Shang-Chi. I would’ve preferred seeing him join the Thunderbolts*, adding some much-needed strength to the team. Imagine seeing him go toe-to-toe with Sentry!
A Smaller, Focused Team
One positive aspect of the Thunderbolts* is that it’s a smaller team, with only 6-7 members. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a focused group like this, especially in comparison to larger ensembles like the final Avengers: Endgame lineup. A smaller team allows for more focused character arcs, which could be a real strength of the movie.
The film seems to be following a similar setup to Guardians of the Galaxy where the majority of the team assembles in a single, significant scene. Hopefully, this means we won’t spend too much time with the characters apart, and the pacing will bring them together quickly.
The Sentry: The Movie’s Wild Card
Finally, the biggest wild card in Thunderbolts* is the inclusion of Sentry. Although Steven Yuen had to drop out, Lewis Pullman is a fine replacement. Sentry is incredibly powerful, and his backstory is one of the most fascinating in Marvel comics. In short, he’s a Superman-level hero who was forced to make the world forget about him to protect it from an evil version of himself.
If the MCU can deliver on this character, it could elevate the movie to a whole new level. Imagine if Sentry was part of the Avengers, and we just didn’t know it. This could open up interesting opportunities for storytelling, especially leading into Secret Wars and Doomsday.
Conclusion
While Thunderbolts* isn’t at the top of my anticipation list, it has the potential to surprise everyone. With Captain America: Brave New World and Fantastic Four coming up, the hype is understandably focused elsewhere. But with strong action, a lean team, and a potentially game-changing character like Sentry, Thunderbolts* could end up being one of the best films in Phase 5. And who knows – maybe we’ll even see Zemo and Abomination return after all.