Summary
- Thunderbolts* could be a bold reinvention of the MCU with a fresh, auteur-style approach.
- The film’s success could determine the future of the MCU as fans hope for complex storytelling.
- If Thunderbolts* fails, it may signify a collapse in audience interest and the end of the franchise.
With a cast led by Florence Pugh and a tone closer to an A24 arthouse film than traditional MCU fare, Marvel’s upcoming Thunderbolts* could either be a bold reinvention of the franchise—or the final nail in the coffin for a struggling cinematic universe.
After a string of underwhelming box office performances and growing fan fatigue, Thunderbolts* stands at a crucial crossroads for the MCU. Featuring a morally ambiguous team of antiheroes, and a moody aesthetic inspired by prestige cinema, the film’s promotional material is marketing it as Marvel’s boldest tonal shift yet. If it succeeds, it could be the franchise’s next Avengers-level success. If it stumbles, there is a good chance it will cement the sentiment that audiences are ready to move on from the MCU altogether.
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Thunderbolts* Could Be the Fresh Start the MCU Desperately Needs
Recent press has made it clear that Marvel Studios and parent company Disney are changing up their tactic and betting on Thunderbolts* to draw big numbers. Meanwhile, fans are hopeful the film’s daring tone is truly a diversion from the tired Marvel quip, and not just a buzzy marketing ploy.
One promising factor in the upcoming blockbuster is the cast, which includes acting powerhouses like Pugh (We Live in Time, Midsommar), Sebastian Stan (A Different Man, The Apprentice), Wyatt Russell (Everybody Wants Some!!, Ingrid Goes West), and David Harbor (Stranger Things, Brokeback Mountain)—all known for their work in indie movies—some in critically acclaimed hits from indie darling production company, A24. It appears as though Thunderbolts* is attempting to recreate the magic of the MCU’s original Iron Man and later Avengers franchises, which plucked actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo out of the prestige cinema world.
The recent teaser trailer reinforces this new vibe the studio is aiming for—being released with the title “ABSOLUTE CINEMA” on YouTube and name-dropping associated creatives behind A24 projects like Beef, The Green Knight and the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All At Once. The trailer is cut to evoke the visual language of acclaimed indie thrillers and hints at a more character-driven, emotionally grounded narrative and showcasing the film’s bold, auteur-style filmmaking.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Florence Pugh confirmed this direction yet again, saying, “I think that Marvel is really taking a risk with this one. And I think it’s exciting to see that.” Coming from an actor who cut her teeth in the indie world, Pugh’s praise for the project’s tone has sparked optimism among fans who’ve long wanted the MCU to take storytelling risks again. However, some fans have also criticized Marvel Studios and Disney for riding A24’s coattails and hanging their film on the creative risks taken by another (much smaller) studio.
“It feels more raw and more emotional. It does feel a bit more indie, which I think is exciting.” —Pugh
The Next Avengers or Something Darker?
It’s clear that Marvel isn’t treating Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts* as a side project. The slated release date, May 2nd, has the film placed squarely in the early-summer tentople spot. Recent developments have suggested that the studio is quietly positioning the new team to be successors to The Avengers, and possibly the launchpad for a new hit franchise.
The previous Thunderbolts* teaser, which aired during the Superbowl, strongly hinted at the possibility of the chaotic team eventually becoming the Dark Avengers, just as the Thunderbolts comic was renamed Dark Avengers after issue #175. The asterisk was also confirmed by the studio to mean: *The Avengers Are Not Available. If the Dark Avengers rumor turns out to be true, it could mean studio exec Kevin Feige is planning for the Thunderbolts* to take up the mantle in a faltering MCU, sending the franchise into even daker thematic territory in line with the recent R-rated Deadpool films.
Fans are convinced Marvel is laying the groundwork for a new era of antiheroes and bold filmmaking, with many excited for something more complex. The use of stylistic cinematography, a nihilistic tone, and the framing of these characters to represent a morally compromised authority seems inspired by recent superhero hits, including Matt reeves’ The Batman. If this approach lands, Marvel could very well have the bones of its next big franchise.
However, the team’s future in the multiverse likely depends on the film’s box office performance. As current discourse suggests, the studio is likely banking heavily on Thunderbolts* to act as a soft reboot—a way to reset audience expectations and reestablish excitement. If this attempt fails, the consequences could spell disaster.
If Thunderbolts* Fails, Fans Will Revolt
While the outcome of this shift could be major, the risks are also enormous. If Thunderbolts* flops—either critically or commercially—it won’t just be another Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania situation. It could mean a broader collapse in audience interest in the messy, interconnected MCU narrative. While Deadpool and the Spider-Man Sony collabs are seemingly keeping Marvel Studios afloat, there have been more misses than hits coming out of the studio in recent years and fans are beginning to lose hope for a creative rennaissance.
Given that the 2023 Jonathan Majors scandal sent the multiverse into a tailspin, another Avengers-adjacent disaster could send creators back to the drawing board yet again, and unfortunately, Marvel doesn’t have the same goodwill cushion it had five years ago. Burnt out viewers are more discerning, and less forgiving of weak storytelling. A poorly executed Thunderbolts* could be the breaking point for many longtime MCU fans, pushing them to disengage entirely.
Box office returns for recent entries like The Marvels and Quantumania have been abysmal, and Disney CEO Bob Iger has publicly acknowledged the need for “quality over quantity” in future Marvel releases. If Thunderbolts* follows that same downward trajectory, it will confirm the current narrative: that Marvel has lost its ability to craft great original films, and the MCU’s best days are behind it. Either way, the movie will mark a turning point.
One Last Shot at Reinvention
The Thunderbolts* holds more weight than just a single release; it’s quite possibly the dawning of a new era. Marvel Studios built its empire on the back of the original Avengers — and Thunderbolts* now has the opportunity to carry the torch. The studio’s gamble on a new creative direction signals that it understands the current formula isn’t working anymore, and that desperate times call for desperate measures. With the top-tier ensemble cast and artsy A24 aesthetic, there’s a real chance it could redefine what an MCU film can be. That is, if the story sticks the landing.
If it fails, Thunderbolts* won’t just be another let-down. It may very well be the moment fans stop waiting for Marvel’s next big thing, and start moving on entirely.
Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
- Director
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Jake Schreier
- Writers
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Lee Sung-jin, Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo
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Florence Pugh
Yelena Belova
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Sebastian Stan
James Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
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David Harbour
Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian
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Wyatt Russell
John Walker / U.S. Agent
