Summary
- Thunderbolts* will have a runtime of approximately 120 minutes, following the trend of shorter MCU movies.
- Despite its shorter runtime, early reviews of Thunderbolts* have been positive, with high test screening scores.
- Balancing screen time among the ensemble cast, particularly focusing on character development for each antihero, will be crucial for Thunderbolts* success.
Thunderbolts* will hit theaters in less than two months. A new report shared the anticipated MCU tentpole’s approximate runtime.
Thunderbolts* is one of the upcoming movies from Marvel Studios. It is directed by Jake Schreier and stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kramen and Lewis Pullman. The movie brings together a team of antiheroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and they will embark on a mission that forces them to confront their dark pasts. There are high expectations for the film, but it’s no different from the other MCU movies in terms of runtime.
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MCU fans will have to spend about two hours in cinemas if they watch Thunderbolts because its runtime is approximately 120 minutes, according to Feature First. Its screen time follows the MCU trend like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (124 minutes), The Marvels (105 minutes), Deadpool & Wolverine (128 minutes) and Captain America: Brave New World (2 hours). However, there are concerns with the current MCU trend’s runtime — they are shorter. The standard superhero movie runtime is usually between 120 minutes and 150 minutes. MCU’s epic superhero flicks were at this length. For instance, Avengers: Infinity War (2018) was 149 minutes while Avengers: Endgame (2019) was 181 minutes long.
The short runtime should not be a big concern, considering the earlier reviews about the movie. “Thunderbolts* is a beast of a film,” one said about the movie. Additionally, its test screening scores were reportedly “extremely high.” Pugh spoke about the MCU movie in a recent interview with Empire and she gave a promising description. “It ended up becoming this quite badass indie, A24-feeling assassin movie with Marvel superheroes,” Pugh said. In another interview, the Black Widow star also shared the major stunt she did for the film. According to her, she jumped off the second tallest building in the world for the MCU movie. Aside from the anticipated action scenes, Schreier, who directed six of the 10 episodes of Beef, also said that the movie shared the same tone as the hit Netflix comedy-drama. He teased that there’s an “emotional darkness” in the film. This is given considering the background of the main characters in the movie.
It’s understandable why superhero movies usually have 120 to 150-minute runtime and this is to give enough time for character development. Thunderbolts* short screentime has raised eyebrows because it has an ensemble cast and there are concerns that Pugh’s Yelena Belova might overshadow the others. Of course, there should be enough screen time for everyone, especially since the film features a group of antiheroes working together. Many also noticed that Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko had limited visibility in promotional materials, leading some to question the significance of her role in the movie. The latest test screenings revealed that Pugh is the central character and she has the most screen time.
The runtime will not be an issue if Thunderbolts* successfully delivers a balanced narrative while giving everyone enough screen time. The film should take advantage of its powerhouse cast. For instance, Stan’s Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier deserves equal screen time because he has been a major figure in the MCU with deep emotional conflicts, not to mention he is the only member with a direct connection to The Avengers. He has been sidelined in team-up movies like Infinity War and Endgame, but his leadership should be properly developed. Pullman’s Reynolds, aka Sentry, is the most powerful member of the team, with many comparing him to Superman. His dark and unstable alter ego could lead to major conflicts. However, due to his ability, he can easily dominate the story and make the rest of the Thunderbolts secondary to him. The key is balance. Hopefully, everyone will be given enough screen time, and there will be no wasted opportunity.
Thunderbolts* is currently set for theatrical release on May 5, 2025.
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Source: Feature First