The Thunderbolts are officially coming to the MCU after months, if not years, of speculation. Marvel Studios has tapped Jake Schreier to direct from a script penned by Black Widow writer Eric Pearson.
Rumours of a Thunderbolts film from Marvel Studios have been present for years, but the speculation grew rapidly when The Falcon and the Winter Soldierintroduced Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Because de Fontaine made her debut by recruiting Wyatt Russell's disgraced John Walker, and the post-credits scene for Black Widow established she had a working relationship with Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, most fans assumed the mysterious newcomer was forming some sort of team consisting of the MCU's shadier characters.
Deadline reports that Schreier landed the Thunderbolts directing job after his presentation "blew away execs." The Thunderbolts project has reportedly been a top focus for Marvel Studios, and the project is aiming to begin production next summer. Aside from the fact that the film will follow the Thunderbolts comics by focusing on a team of Marvel villains who embark on missions assigned by the government, full story details are slim. However, Deadline sources say stars who are already a part of the MCU have been in touch with Marvel Studios, as the company wants to make sure they keep an opening in their filming schedule for summer 2023.
While the roster for the Thunderbolts movie remains unknown, the outlet speculates that Baron Zemo, Yelena Belova, Ghost, Taskmaster, The Abomination, US Agent, and the Winter Soldier could potentially star or at least make some sort of appearance. General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, the founder of the team in the comics, is reportedly another character who could potentially appear, though Deadline reminds fans that this remains unconfirmed and no deal with any actor has been closed. That said, it appears Marvel Studios is at least open to the idea of recasting General Ross, who was previously played in the MCU by the late William Hurt.
Needless to say, fans who have been clamouring for an Avengers-style team up with the MCU's most memorable villains are likely excited to hear about this project. While there's been little to no word on when Avengers 5 will be coming, the prospect of seeing fan-favourites such as Baron Zemo or Yelena Belova meet face-to-face is exciting in its own right.
Until then, Marvel Studios still has several films and Disney Plus shows coming down the pipeline before Thunderbolts even begins production. So, fans will now probably keep their eye out for any new bounders in the MCU who could potentially be a part of the Thunderbolts roster, though it remains to be seen if Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is actually involved in the recruitment process.
Thunderbolts is in development at Marvel Studios.
Source: Deadline