Marvel’s Thunderbolts: A budget Avengers?

Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) just dropped the trailer for its latest hero team offering. The trailer reveals a team of mostly villains and anti-heroes turned good, sparking dismay from their former handlers, who are now out to exact revenge.

It’s a similar concept to DC’s Suicide Squad, though with Marvel’s distinct touch. However, certain things about this trailer make me believe it may fare better than Marvel’s other recent attempts at making a team as relevant as The Avengers (yes, Eternals, you!)

Something that stands out instantly as you play through the trailer of Thunderbolts is the recasting of everyone’s beloved super assassin. Florence Pugh has taken over the role of Black Widow from Scarlett Johansson, bringing a fresh take to the character. As Yelena Belova, the actress brings authenticity to the role with her thick Russian accent—something not as evident in Johannsson's portrayal of Natasha Romanov, the first Black Widow.

David Harbour, known for Stranger Things, plays the washed-up Russian version of Captain America - Red Guardian - and carries on from where he left off in the Black Widow movie. Joining the Thunderbolts are antiheroes like Sentry (Lewis Pullman), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen). Of course, fan-favorite Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), is also back.

The trailer leans heavily on Marvel’s signature, tongue-in-cheek humor, which could either keep you engaged or leave you rolling your eyes. However, it does make one wonder if Marvel’s obsession with creating new superhero teams will end anytime soon. Since the Avengers saga, Marvel has struggled to replicate the effortless flow of films like Guardians of the Galaxy or The Avengers.

Countless examples of failed team-ups such as The Eternals, The Marvels, and The Defenders, amongst others, exist in Marvel’s back catalog. It seems Marvel's decision to slash budgets and churn out more films has backfired, leaving many projects underwhelming.

Slated for a May 2025 release, will Thunderbolts prove to be the catalyst of change needed for Marvel to stay relevant or will it be another budget attempt at making an Avengers movie? Only time will tell if Yelena and her misfit crew can break Marvel’s losing streak.