Thunderbolts Links to Moon Knight and Daredevil Set Fans Buzzing

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Summary

  • Thunderbolts* will expand the MCU on the big screen this May, starring misfit anti-heroes.
  • Cinematographer Palermo’s impressive resume contributes to Thunderbolts*’ visual appeal.
  • Connections to Moon Knight & Daredevil: Born Again crew suggests that Thunderbolts* may offer consistent and meaningful storytelling.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to grow even more on the silver screen this coming May, as the team of unconventional anti-heroes and lesser villains from the Suicide Squad-like group, known as Thunderbolts*, embark on their inaugural mission. Ever since fans have been eagerly anticipating who will star in the film, where the storyline takes place, and even if any characters meet their end (not to mention if such an event occurs), the arrival of Thunderbolts* is imminent and sooner than it might seem.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been experiencing a bit of a narrative slump for more than half its glory days. However, there’s palpable hope among fans that the upcoming film, Thunderbolts, will steer us back on course or offer a fresh, exciting direction.

In recent promotional materials, Marvel Studios and Disney have been emphasizing the impressive pedigree of the Thunderbolts team, particularly their work with indie studios like A24. The gritty, independent-style trailer for Thunderbolts boasts accolades such as “Featuring stars from Midsommar, A Different Man, and You Hurt My Feelings” and “Written & Directed by the team behind Netflix’s hit series Beef.” This series revolves around rage being alleviated through a psychedelic journey.

Fortunately for those of us concerned about Marvel’s next major release, Andrew Droz Palermo, one of Thunderbolts’ crew members, has a substantial history with A24 projects. Not only did he contribute to two episodes of Moon Knight, but he specifically collaborated with directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead on those episodes. Interestingly, these same directors are also responsible for three upcoming episodes (two yet to be released) of Daredevil: Born Again. This collaboration may provide some reassurance for those eagerly awaiting Marvel’s next big installment.

Thunderbolts* Looks Good, Thanks to Its Cinematographer

Andrew Droz Palermo’s Projects (Both MCU and Outside It).

Apart from his work on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Andrew Droz Palermo, the cinematographer for Thunderbolts, boasts an impressive portfolio. He was the director of photography for A24’s fantasy film The Green Knight, the chilling horror movie You’re Next, and documentaries like Rich Hill. His skills behind the camera are clearly demonstrated through his use of surroundings to emphasize characters in their ominous or perilous settings.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Palermo independently handled two full episodes – episode 2, titled “Summon the Suit,” and episode 4, named “The Tomb.” These were the episodes directed by Benson and Moorhead. Furthermore, Palermo was also in charge of numerous other scenes, including the opening shot of the limited series, as he shared with Screen Rant. The series, titled Moon Knight, received generally favorable reviews upon release, with its visually striking elements (despite some criticized CGI) effectively portraying Egypt’s intricate details, such as the endless desert sands or the decayed tombs of ancient Pharaohs. Fans can look forward to the series premiere on May 2nd, 2025, knowing that at least its visual aspects are in capable hands.

The Palermo-Moorhead-Benson Connection May Mean Even Better News For Fans

Despite Marvel Studios being cautious about casting for their crew and acting roles, some recent picks haven’t led to blockbuster films or TV series. However, Palermo seems quite selective with the projects he chooses to be a part of – Moon Knight is far from embodying the MCU’s downfall, and Daredevil: Born Again, featuring one of the three Benson-Moorhead-directed episodes released so far, has been lauded in numerous ways. This implies that Palermo would not have agreed to work on Thunderbolts unless he was confident in its outcome.

This approach also guarantees some degree of uniformity across the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) productions, which has been a gaping hole in the contentious array presented during Phases 4 and 5. In an effort to minimize production delays, Marvel is focusing on strengthening connections both on-screen and off-screen. These behind-the-scenes links were instrumental in preserving the MCU’s authenticity at its peak. For instance, Jon Favreau, who directed the first two Iron Man films, has continued to play significant roles for Tony Stark and later Peter Parker in various projects, including the amusingly self-referential Deadpool & Wolverine. Peyton Reed has been involved with all three Ant-Man films, while Taika Waititi directed the highly successful Thor: Ragnarok, and is now working on Thor: Love and Thunder. Despite occasional missteps, this approach has generally paid off, fueling optimism that the connections between Thunderbolts*, Moon Knight, and Daredevil: Born Again will deliver yet another round of captivating, consistent, and potentially meaningful storytelling for MCU enthusiasts.

*Note: As of my last update, “Thunderbolts” is not officially confirmed as a title for any upcoming MCU project.

It remains to be seen if Marvel Studios’ strategic shift towards fewer projects and a slower pace will prove beneficial in the long run. While Captain America: Brave New World was not as impressive to kick off this new phase of Marvel, shows such as Moon Knight, Born Again, Agatha All Along, and Loki (with a few episodes directed by Benson and Moorhead) have left fans captivated, demonstrating that Marvel still has significant potential for growth even after some recent missteps. As each MCU production is now crucial to its success or failure, Thunderbolts* certainly holds promise, but the fact that its creative team also works on other MCU projects might indicate a higher level of quality and authenticity than initially assumed.

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2025-03-25 20:57