Yahoo Lifestyle Steven Yeun Teases MCU’s THUNDERBOLTS Role
The Thunderbolts have been a long-awaited MCU team. The quasi-villainous anti-hero/misfit gang is a staple of the Marvel Comics world, and many heroes have been a part of it at some time or another. As the MCU slowly gathered the right members, fans speculated harder and harder that the Thunderbolts were coming. And finally, in 2022, Marvel Studios made the big announcement. The MCU’s Thunderbolts movie will not only arrive in Phase 5 of the franchise, but it also may conclude it.
Recently, it was reported that Steven Yeun had joined the MCU’s Thunderbolts movie. And although sometimes actors can go for a long time without offering any official confirmation, Yeun discussed his MCU inclusion with Empire not too long after reported. Yeun noted of his Thunderbolts role and coming into the franchise, “I don’t know if it was explicitly on my bucket list. It was more the story, getting to work with Jake Schreier again, who directed Beef, and what his intentions were. The intentions of the particular character that they wanted me to play were very clear, and that’s what drew me to the film.”
Of course, which particular character it is that Yeun will play remains a mystery. But we’re just glad to know he’ll definitely grace our screens soon.
Here’s everything we know so far about Thunderbolts.
Title
For now, the movie about the Thunderbolts is simply called Thunderbolts. That seems fitting and to the point.
Thunderbolts‘ Plot
We know very little about what the actual plot of Thunderbolts will be. However, we didn’t have to wait too long to get a core question answered. Who will be part of the MCU Thunderbolts? Marvel Studios could have left us hanging, but they shared the information very quickly.
The Thunderbolts will comprise of Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine, Ghost, Red Guardian, Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes (a.k.a Winter Soldier), US Agent, and Taskmaster. Some of these names, like Bucky Barnes and Yelena Belova, come as no surprise to long-time fans. But we feel interested to see how the dynamics of the team will come together. When last US Agent and Bucky Barnes met, it wasn’t exactly all sunshine and daisies. And whatever Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine has planned, it’s sure to be a bit of a bumpy ride.
Recently, David Harbour, who plays Red Guardian offered this insight, “MCU has always been sort of elevated in a certain way. Captain America, even Iron Man, although he has egos, are always in it for the right reasons or ultimately does the right thing. And I like these guys who are a bunch of losers or a bunch of guys who can’t quite get it right.”
Of special interest is the current lack of Baron Zemo in the Thunderbolts plans. Zemo famously brought the team together in the comics, but it looks like Val will take on that role in the MCU.
Additionally, Kevin Feige shared a little bit more about the upcoming movie. He praised the casting of the heroes and noted that Bucky Barnes would become the rallying point of the team.
They are barely heroes. None of them would consider themselves heroes. When your de facto leader is Bucky Barnes, that’s sort of all you need to know. That’s the trickle down. But again, it goes to the amazing work that [casting director] Sarah Finn has done across the whole MCU. You’ve got David Harbour and Florence Pugh and these people who are at the top of their game and popping in everything they’re doing. They’re already here and established in the MCU, and we get to build the movie around them.
Well, that sounds like an adventure.
Thunderbolts‘ Cast
Accordingly to the MCU Thunderbolts line-up, here is the projected main cast of the movie so far, pending any surprise recastings:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns as Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine. Hannah John-Kamen will play Ghost. David Harbour remains as Red Guardian. Florence Pugh will reprise her role Yelena Belova. Sebastian Stan will again take on the role of Bucky Barnes (a.k.a Winter Soldier). Wyatt Russell will appear as US Agent. And Olga Kurylenko will appear as Taskmaster.
Reportedly joining them is The Bear star Ayo Edebiri in an unknown role. And most recently, reports from Deadline indicated that we might see The Walking Dead, Nope, and Minari star Steven Yeun join the cast in a big way. Yeun has since confirmed.
Although there is no concrete information yet, the publication notes that Yeun’s role is “not only significant to this film but could also play a role going forward in future films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.” For our part, we’d love to have him join the team.
Behind the Scenes
Eric Pearson will write Thunderbolt‘s script and Jake Schreier will direct the movie. Kevin Feige is, of course, producing this Marvel Studios’ production.
Thunderbolt‘s Release Date
Right now, Thunderbolts is scheduled to release on July 26, 2024. Of course, that timeline could always change. Star Louis-Dreyfus has shared filming on Thunderbolts will begin in June.
Originally published on January 27, 2023.
