Summary:
-
Marvel’s Thunderbolts (2025) unites a team of antiheroes for a covert mission led by Yelena Belova and Bucky Barnes.
-
The cast includes Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, and Lewis Pullman.
-
Directed by Jake Schreier, the film explores redemption, trauma, and moral ambiguity in the MCU.
Who Are the Main Cast Members in Thunderbolts (2025)?
Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
A former Black Widow assassin trained in the Red Room, Yelena Belova is the emotional core of the Thunderbolts. Having lost her sister Natasha Romanoff in Avengers: Endgame, Yelena now leads the covert team. Florence Pugh brings sharp humor and vulnerability, shaping Yelena as both a fierce operative and a grounding presence amid the chaos.
Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
Bucky Barnes, a super soldier with a cybernetic arm, serves as the de facto leader. Once a Hydra-controlled assassin, he now seeks redemption. Stan’s portrayal anchors the team with stoic leadership, reflecting a man still wrestling with guilt and public duty. Barnes, now a U.S. congressman, enters the mission with skepticism and authority.
David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian
Red Guardian, Russia’s answer to Captain America, returns as Yelena’s father figure. His outdated views often clash with the team, but Harbour injects comedic timing and rugged charm. The film deepens his relationship with Yelena, adding emotional weight to his role in this unstable lineup.
Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent
Formerly disgraced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, John Walker now serves as a volatile enforcer for the Thunderbolts. As U.S. Agent, he embodies militarized patriotism gone awry. Russell portrays a hardened soldier walking the edge between hero and liability, reflecting internal conflict and unfiltered aggression.
Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster
Once a mind-controlled killer under her father’s rule, Taskmaster now reclaims autonomy. With photographic reflexes and deep trauma, Kurylenko’s portrayal of Antonia balances cold efficiency with personal struggle, carving a path of redemption after the events of Black Widow.
Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost
Ava Starr, first seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp, returns with better control of her quantum phasing ability. Now no longer in constant pain, she joins the team seeking purpose. Her character blends stealth, intellect, and emotional scars, providing a quiet but lethal presence among louder personalities.
Lewis Pullman as Robert Reynolds / Sentry / Void
The newest addition to the MCU, Sentry—real name Robert Reynolds—is a godlike being battling an internal dark entity known as The Void. Pullman’s character serves as both the team’s strongest weapon and gravest danger, offering the film a wildcard of immense potential and peril.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
Now head of the CIA, Valentina is the mastermind behind the Thunderbolts. She is strategic, manipulative, and driven by power. Louis-Dreyfus’s performance adds dry wit and hidden menace, positioning her as a political operator with unclear motives. She also becomes the confirmed buyer of Avengers Tower, now rebranded as “Watchtower.”
READ MORE: Where to watch The Chosen Season 5 online now
Which Supporting Characters Appear in Thunderbolts?
Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel
Mel serves as Valentina’s assistant and technical operations manager. She plays a behind-the-scenes role, supporting the Thunderbolts’ field missions and communications.
Wendell Pierce as Congressman Gary
A high-ranking political figure, Congressman Gary oversees and monitors the Thunderbolts’ missions. His authority adds another layer of governmental pressure and potential conflict within the team.
Violet McGraw as Young Yelena
Appearing in flashback sequences, Young Yelena provides deeper emotional context to Yelena’s formative years in the Red Room, highlighting her trauma and motivations.
Eric Lange as Houston
A federal agent involved in the Thunderbolts’ tactical deployment. Houston likely represents the government’s direct oversight and enforces their operational boundaries.
Chris Bauer in an Undisclosed Role
Veteran actor Chris Bauer joins the cast in a yet-to-be-revealed role. Details remain under wraps, suggesting potential twists or future MCU tie-ins.
READ MORE: Thunderbolts (2025) Age Rating Guide: Is It Safe for Kids?
What Creative Talent Powers Thunderbolts Behind the Scenes?
Directed by Jake Schreier (Beef, Robot & Frank), Thunderbolts offers a tone shift for the MCU. Schreier emphasizes character-driven arcs and psychological depth over traditional superhero spectacle.
Screenwriters Eric Pearson (Black Widow) and Joanna Calo (The Bear) explore trauma, isolation, and control, avoiding nostalgia-driven cameos to focus on the internal conflicts among the team.
Cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo (The Green Knight) utilizes a muted, somber color palette to visually reflect the film’s emotional weight. Meanwhile, Son Lux, the experimental music trio behind Everything Everywhere All at Once, composes a haunting and evocative score.
Producer Kevin Feige continues to guide the overall MCU narrative, ensuring Thunderbolts fits into the franchise’s long-term evolution while pushing new boundaries with darker themes.
READ MORE: Is Dina pregnant in The Last of Us Season 2
What Is the Release Date and Runtime for Thunderbolts (2025)?
Thunderbolts is scheduled to release in U.S. theaters on May 2, 2025, distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film runs for 2 hours and 6 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating for strong violence, language, thematic elements, and some suggestive and drug references.
The budget is estimated at $180 million, reflecting the high production value and ensemble nature of the project. Streaming release details have not been confirmed but are expected to follow the traditional MCU release window post-theatrical run.
Source: IMDb
Stay updated with the Latest News and Stories, follow us on our social media platforms.
You can follow us on:
Stay Connected!! Join our Whatsapp Channel
