The first teaser trailer for Marvel’s eagerly awaited Thunderbolts has been released, bringing back some of the franchise’s favorite anti-heroes. Starring Florence Pugh, the movie sees the return of Yelena Belova from Black Widow (2021), joining a team of misfits that includes John Walker portrayed by Wyatt Russell, Ghost played by Hannah John-Kamen, and Taskmaster portrayed by Olga Kurylenko. David Harbour and Sebastian Stan also star in the film, with executive production by Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek, Jason Tamez, and Scarlett Johansson.
The storyline follows a group of morally complex characters confronting unprecedented threats posed by a formidable villain. Directed by Jake Schreier and produced by Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige, Thunderbolts is slated for release in theaters on May 2, 2025.
Fans’ reactions have been overwhelmingly positive As expected with Marvel films, there is already a dedicated fanbase eagerly anticipating Thunderbolts. One enthusiastic fan commented, “Now this is how you make a Marvel production!!! 👏” Another remarked, “This film is basically ‘Underrated Actors: The Movie’ and genuinely looks so good,” highlighting the focus on less mainstream characters. Many fans appreciated the film’s Earth-based setting, offering a break from the multiverse-centric narratives. “Gotta say I’m actually surprised how good this looks. It’s refreshing to see a Marvel movie where they’re more low profile and not doing planet/multiverse ending scenarios for the first time in a long time,” noted one fan.
Buzz about Bucky’s appearance A significant portion of the excitement surrounds Bucky’s return. Bucky, a fan-favorite character, has been featured in various multiverse storylines, including The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series. One fan commented, “Bucky went from helping a short friend get into the 2nd World War to this, I love it.” Another added, “All I want is for the winter soldier music to hit when Bucky starts blowing things up.” Fans expressed their devotion, with one saying, “I’m seeing this movie solely for my boy Bucky! He’s one of the most underrated actors in this MCU and definitely the most underrated character PERIOD. Been following this guy since 2011.” Some fans speculated that the movie could introduce the ‘Dark Avengers’—a team of villains combating even worse threats, drawing parallels to DC’s Suicide Squad. “Calling it now: There will be an ending reveal of them being called ‘The Dark Avengers’,” predicted a fan.
Mixed reviews from some fans Despite the mostly positive reception, some fans voiced criticism. Marvel has faced a rough patch recently, with some movies perceived as focusing on less interesting characters and overblown issues. One critic lamented, “I long for the days when Marvel movies didn’t feel like they hired someone from Comedy Central and then gave him unlimited access to changing and ‘tweaking’ the script.”
Overall, the anticipation for Thunderbolts is high, with fans looking forward to a grounded Marvel film free from aliens or magic. However, it’s too early to predict the plot based solely on the teaser. Are you excited for this anti-hero adventure?
