The 36th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings together an unexpected collective of misfits in a wild, emotionally rich journey.
Thunderbolts* assembles a quirky ensemble of characters — Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and a fresh face named Bob (Lewis Pullman). While the film excels in action, it also ventures into profound emotional realms, examining themes of solitude and internal conflict.
Helmed by Jake Schreier, recognized for his work on Netflix’s Beef, Thunderbolts* skillfully balances high-stakes superhero escapades with relatable, human moments. In a discussion with Mashable UK Editor Shannon Connellan, Schreier, along with cast members John-Kamen and Pullman, shared insights about the film’s emotional essence and creative journey.
“I teamed up with collaborators who genuinely grasp the sensation of loneliness — and coincidentally, they are among the wittiest individuals I know,” Schreier remarked. He collaborated closely with Beef writers Lee Sung Jin (also referred to as Sonny Lee) and Joanna Calo, editor Harry Yoon, and production designer Grace Yun to manifest this vision.
“We always maintained that humor and emotional resonance can exist side by side,” Schreier elaborated. “You don’t have to forgo enjoyment to delve into themes like emptiness or despair. We achieved that in Beef, and we utilized the same philosophy here. It may appear unconventional for a summer blockbuster, yet those concepts hold just as much significance.”
A memorable scene in the film features a tense yet strangely amusing “team-building exercise,” where Yelena, Bob, John, and Ghost are required to ascend a vertical shaft back-to-back to survive. Schreier disclosed that this moment was part of his initial pitch to Marvel.
“We joked that it might be the least dynamic action scene in Marvel history,” he noted.
“It’s such an unexpected twist from what audiences anticipate from Marvel,” John-Kamen added. “But it’s the only escape for them — and it succeeds.”
Thunderbolts* is currently showing in theaters.