Thunderbolts Movie Cast and Release Date
If you’re a fan of the Marvel Universe, you probably associate it with relatively wholesome (if charmingly flawed) superheroes like Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, and the X-Men. However, not all heroes are superheroes, and not all good guys are inherently good.
That’s the premise of the eagerly-anticipated Thunderbolts* (and no, nobody is quite sure what the asterisk is for in the title, either…). Marvel Studios has a reputation for going in unusual directions when it comes to superhero movies. And on May 2nd 2025, a whole new concept hits the screens as Thunderbolts* makes its debut.
What’s the storyline of Thunderbolts Movie?
While details are under wraps until the premieres hit the screens on May 2nd, the strapline tells us about an unlikely coalition of characters forced to come together to defeat a common enemy. It’s a tale of redemption and how opposites can work in harmony when the cause is a righteous one.
Each of the characters in the film has their own dark secrets, things they’ve done that wouldn’t sit well with the wholesome image of the Avengers, for example. But sometimes, you need damaged, flawed characters to do the jobs that nobody else will do. And that is the basis of Thunderbolts*.
Who’s the baddie?
###p
The real baddie, though, is not an arrogant, embittered noblewoman. It’s something much darker, more sinister, and much, much harder to defeat. It's the shadows that follow our team and the world itself. And this time, there are no Avengers to save the day. This time, it's down to a mismatched group of antiheroes to stop Armageddon.
Who’s in it?
Some of the characters will be familiar from previous Phase 5 films, while others bring a fresh aspect to the Marvel Universe. The Thunderbolts* team is made up of:
Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova (Black Widow)
Sebastian Stan revives his role as Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier)
David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian)
Wyatt Russell returns as John Walker (U.S. Agent)
Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov (Taskmaster)
Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr (Ghost)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the chillingly evil Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
Lewis Pullman as Robert Reynolds (Sentry)
Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel
Chris Bauer and Wendell Pierce in as yet undisclosed roles
The end of Phase 5
Phase 5 of the Marvel Universe has been a nonstop rollercoaster of some of the best action movies in years. It saw everything from Ant-Man and the Wasp reviving their partnership to Deadpool and Wolverine's bickering bromance continuing. But with Captain America: Brave New World introducing even more peril into our universe and the Avengers now consigned to history, a new consortium of heroes (or, in this case, antiheroes) was well and truly needed to bring down the curtain on Phase 5 and set up Phase 6.
New stories, new arcs, and a different perspective from the previous themes will take the Marvel Universe in a very different direction. Thunderbolts* is the opening salvo for this change in direction. It indicates a Universe where redemption is the overwhelming theme and where more realistic characters with flaws we can all relate to take centre stage.
The fantasy aspect of the Marvel Universe is still strongly represented by some truly chilling, otherworldly villains. But the scale of ‘bad guys’ is more nuanced, with intermediate and very human layers below the apocalyptic, universe-ending gods and aliens we’ve previously encountered. This time, the darkness is very real, a darkness that takes the Marvel Universe down a very scary path.
###h2
They could be. It all depends on the decisions they make, the paths they follow, and whether or not they can overcome their demons. Every one of them has done bad things - some of which have been documented in previous Phase 5 films. But when it comes to dealing with an inherently evil foe, sometimes you need to fight dirty.
The Thunderbolts are not afraid to deal out their own version of rough justice if it's for the greater good. So, are they villains? No. But they're not perfect, either. And this represents the new Marvel antihero concept perfectly.
How you can see Thunderbolts* this May
Remember the date – May 2nd. That’s when Thunderbolts* draws the Marvel Universe Phase 5 to a high-octane, dramatic close in cinemas. Thunderbolts* has been filmed for IMAX cinemas, so that’s the best way to see it in all its glory and detail. However, for a truly immersive experience, check out 4DX showings of the film at VOX Cinemas, where you can also see the film in its original IMAX format.
No matter how you watch Thunderbolts*, go into this experience with an open mind. Yes, it is part of the Marvel Universe, but it’s a dark corner that hasn’t been explored fully before, and it may contain some uncomfortable truths about good and evil that prove that things are never as clear-cut as you think.
Now, with the torch shining firmly on the antihero concept, the Marvel Universe takes a totally different direction, setting up Phase 6 and a cluster of bold, daring, and visually incredible follow-ups. Expect to see at least some of the Thunderbolt team in action in the coming years as they take the place of the much-loved and missed Avengers.
Sometimes, you need a different kind of hero for a different time. Thunderbolts* introduces those heroes, and demonstrates along the way that, no matter what flaws we may have, all of us can be a hero. And perhaps, on May 2nd, we'll finally find out what that asterisk is all about, too!
Thunderbolts* premieres at VOX Cinemas across the UAE on May 2nd 2025. Prebook your tickets now.
Click the link and grab new movie tickets & check our movie ticket offers to enjoy VOX Cinemas. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on the latest movie news and check back here for more VOX Voice articles..