MCU's Darkest Heroes Unite: The Thunderbolts' Surprising Roster Revealed!

Summary

Members of the Thunderbolts* possess unique skills, with Sentry as both an asset and a threat due to his alternate personality.
Florence Pugh has been a consistent highlight of Phase 4 and 5 as Yelena Belova, resulting in her becoming a Thunderbolt and an Avenger.
U.S. Agent seeks redemption in Thunderbolts*, showcasing the evolution from villain to flawed superhero.

As a die-hard film fan, I can hardly contain my excitement as I eagerly await the arrival of the new superhero team gracing our screens in May 2025 – none other than the enigmatic Thunderbolts! While they may not yet hold the iconic status of the Avengers, these heroes undoubtedly embody Earth’s last line of defense. After years of intricate plot development spanning Phases 4 and 5, the Thunderbolts will bring together a roster of darker, complex characters, assembled under the watchful eye of the government to safeguard our planet.

Similar to the initial Avengers squad, the team in Thunderbolts comprises seven individuals, each boasting distinctive abilities and characteristics that make them memorable. Several of these members were unsuccessful super soldiers or ex-villains striving for atonement from their tumultuous pasts, even including some fan-favorite characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

7. Sentry

Earth’s Strongest Superhero Can Also Be Its Greatest Threat

First Appearance: Thunderbolts*
Played By: Lewis Pullman

In the upcoming storyline, it’s been confirmed that actor Lewis Pullman will portray Bob Reynolds, an enigmatic individual dressed in a hospital gown whom the Thunderbolts team meets during their operation. But for those who are familiar with the comics, they’ll recognize that Reynolds will eventually transform into Sentry, a Superman-esque character possessing the power of a thousand detonating stars within him.

In Thunderbolts, Sentry holds immense promise but also poses significant danger due to his alter ego – Void. Void is a malevolent villain with tremendous power, capable of indiscriminately killing countless innocents without hesitation. This makes Sentry both an invaluable asset and a formidable threat to the team.

6. Taskmaster

Photographic Reflexes Will Be Useful Against Villains

First Appearance: Black Widow
Played By: Olga Kurylenko

Due to her cold-hearted father’s influence, Antonia Dreykov morphed into a ruthless assassin with an uncanny ability to mimic and counter any fighting style, even those of superheroes. She came to be recognized as Taskmaster, and she presented Natasha Romanoff with her most formidable challenge in the Black Widow film, until she was liberated from her programming.

In a marked departure from Taskmaster’s character portrayal in the comics, which stirred up debate given his status as a well-known and emblematic Marvel antagonist, the MCU presented a fresh perspective on this character. Yet, it’s not unprecedented for the MCU to alter a character’s narrative from its original form. Presently, she is poised to join the Thunderbolts team and can be seen sporting an entirely distinct suit as opposed to her Red Room design.

5. Ghost

From Tragic Villain To Reluctant Hero

First Appearance: Ant-Man and The Wasp
Played By: Hannah John-Kamen

In the film “Ant-Man and The Wasp“, the character known as Ghost was portrayed as a tragic antagonist who was gradually losing her life due to her ability to become intangible. This led to a frenzied mental state until she was healed by Janet Pym. As the movie concluded, Ghost and her associate, Bill Foster, went into hiding, leaving many viewers surprised since they felt that Ghost’s villainy fell short of expectations at first.

What’s fascinating about the Marvel Cinematic Universe is its capacity for characters like villains to transform into heroes or reappear, as demonstrated by Ghost who will return in Thunderbolts*, and has already been confirmed to play a role in Avengers Doomsday. This implies that Ghost’s developmental arc is far from over.

4. U.S. Agent

John Walker Is Trying To Redeem Himself

First Appearance: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Played By: Wyatt Russell

John Walker, more commonly recognized as U.S. Agent, was initially slated to replace Captain America, adorning the Stars and Stripes and exhibiting promise. However, his arrogance and desire for validation led him down a destructive path, marked by numerous errors. One such error involved self-administering an unstable super soldier serum. In a chilling act, he committed cold-blooded murder and severely damaged the reputation associated with Captain America.

In “Thunderbolts,” U.S. Agent is determined to rectify his past errors, much like he attempted in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” following the world’s rejection of him, treating him as discarded trash. He serves as a compelling illustration of how someone can err despite not being a villain. Wyatt Russell skillfully conveys the complexities of a flawed superhero on screen.

3. Winter Soldier

The Thunderbolts* Are Going To Need A Leader

First Appearance: Captain America: The First Avenger
Played By: Sebastian Stan

Among our team members, Bucky Barnes, who currently serves as a U.S. Congressman, holds the longest tenure. Once known as the Winter Soldier, he served time both as a hero and a villain. Originally created by Hydra to be the antithesis of Captain America, his story takes an interesting turn when he managed to break free from his programming. Eventually, he aligned himself with the Avengers to take on threats like Thanos.

Amongst the Thunderbolts*, Winter Soldier is expected to take on a leadership role, given his extensive background in heroic endeavors and teamwork. In World War II, Bucky was an accomplished soldier who fought alongside Captain America as part of the Howling Commandos. At that time, he didn’t have the benefits of super-soldier serum or a cybernetic limb to aid him.

2. Red Guardian

A Foolish Super Soldier With A Heart Of Gold

First Appearance: Black Widow
Played By: David Harbour

In the movie “Black Widow”, David Harbour stood out, assuming the role of the Red Guardian and acting as both Natasha’s and Yelena’s father figure. His heartfelt wish is to emulate Captain America, yet he often stumbles and falls short due to his clumsy nature, despite being another powerful super soldier. However, he never loses hope in himself or those he cherishes.

Red Guardian exhibits a mix of humor and gravity, making him an integral aspect in the upcoming Thunderbolts; he’s even the brainchild behind the team’s name. Despite joining a superhero group, he also has the opportunity to reconnect with Yelena and strive to be a good father figure for her, much like their past relationship.

1. Black Widow

She Is Becoming A Star Of The Multiverse Saga

First Appearance: Black Widow
Played By: Florence Pugh

In both the “Black Widow” film and the “Hawkeye” series, Yelena Belova has emerged as a cherished character in Phases 4 and 5, portrayed by Florence Pugh. She is a former Black Widow who broke free from her programming to become a hero, fully utilizing her newfound freedom and continuing the legacy once held by Natasha Romanoff.

The new Black Widow character captured audiences’ hearts almost immediately, leading Marvel Studios to feature her prominently in Thunderbolts. Actress Florence Pugh brings a unique blend of fearlessness and power, as well as an endearing awkwardness, to Yelena, making her a delightful addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s roster of gifted performers.

2025-04-16 07:38

MCU’s Darkest Heroes Unite: The Thunderbolts’ Surprising Roster Revealed!