‘Thunderbolts’ Stars Discuss MCU Team-Up and ‘Brat Summer’ (Exclusive)

2025 is set to be the summer of Thunderbolts, but 2024 is framed as Brat summer.

During a conversation with ET’s Ash Crossan at San Diego Comic-Con, the cast of Marvel’s Thunderbolts shared insights about their upcoming film, set to release next May. They discussed how Charli XCX’s hit Brat album is shaping their summer and influencing their characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The Thunderbolts ensemble includes Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian), Wyatt Russell as John Walker (U.S. Agent), Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Lewis Pullman as Bob (speculated to be Sentry), Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr (Ghost), and Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov (Taskmaster). Also returning are Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Black Widow.

Comparing the new film to Friends but more chaotic and violent, Stan—one of the longest-standing MCU veterans—spoke about the unique dynamic of the team. Harbour described them as “misfits, losers with self-hatred” who stumble but ultimately achieve extraordinary feats others can’t.

In a Comic-Con exclusive trailer, Louis-Dreyfus’ character reflects on the nature of villains, hinting that her team of anti-heroes is ready to cause chaos. The movie draws from the eponymous comic series, focusing on a team assembled originally by Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, a role now played by Harrison Ford following William Hurt’s passing in March 2022.

While the trailer wasn’t made available online, ET confirmed from their Comic-Con experience that the film revolves around characters at life’s crossroads seeking purpose. They come together after an epic battle, driven by a shared goal orchestrated by Valentina, who has appeared with Russell and Pugh’s characters in prior MCU projects, hinting at her team assembly much like Nick Fury’s iconic role.

The cast shared their thoughts on working with Louis-Dreyfus as a boss. Pugh humorously described the experience as “horrible…ly fashionable,” adding that Louis-Dreyfus brought a unique energy to the project.

Viswanathan, playing Mel, Valentina’s assistant, joked about her on-screen boss, calling her “really chill and just totally regular and cool and beautiful,” though her laughter suggested otherwise. This levity was shared during their panel discussion, showing their off-screen camaraderie.

The cast expressed their enthusiasm about returning to the MCU, particularly those who had central villain roles in only one prior project. John-Kamen spoke about her character Ghost’s journey from Ant-Man and the Wasp to Thunderbolts, expressing excitement about the character’s development.

Speaking highly of their colleagues, the actors concurred that their mutual respect and enjoyment made the filming experience exceptional. Pugh emphasized the strong bonds formed, calling the project a unique and special experience.

During the panel, director Jake Schreier hinted at the significance of the asterisk in the film’s title, suggesting the traditional association with Thaddeus Ross might be reinterpreted. Fans, including Pugh, remain curious about its meaning.

Louis-Dreyfus also commented on experiencing a Brat summer due to Thunderbolts and the renewed popularity of her HBO series Veep. She humorously embraced the Brat label, joking with Pullman about the term.

Thunderbolts is set to hit theaters on May 2, 2025. Stay tuned for more updates from the MCU.

Source: ET