Thunderbolts* Director Explains Why MCU Movie Is not a Black Widow Sequel

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Section 5 finale, Thunderbolts*, sees the titular group of misfits, together with notable characters from Black Widow, search redemption for his or her previous misdeeds. Although some acquainted faces from Black Widow proceed their story arcs in Thunderbolts*, the latter movie’s director insists it is not a direct sequel to the previous.

Talking with SFX Journal (by way of GamesRadar+), Thunderbolts* helmer Jake Schreier defined why his upcoming superhero blockbuster is not a Black Widow continuation, regardless of the inclusion of Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, David Harbour’s Alexei Shostakov/Crimson Guardian and Olga Kurylenko’s Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster. Whereas Black Widow is “undoubtedly part of our story,” Schreier claimed the movie is not the “driving drive” behind Thunderbolts* and its narrative.

“I feel we’re pulling from all of their histories after which making an attempt to inform one thing new. I do not assume that it seems like a Black Widow sequel,” Schreier stated. “I feel it feels prefer it’s a sampling of individuals from completely different elements [of this universe]. It is undoubtedly part of our story but it surely’s not the driving drive that leads into this movie.”

Schreier confirmed that Thunderbolts* will additional discover the difficult relationship between Yelena and Crimson Guardian after Black Widow make clear it. In keeping with Schreier, his film will “protect the legacy” of Black Widow and its characters. “With out making a gift of an excessive amount of, plenty of what David [Harbour] and Florence [Pugh] are working with as materials on this film pertains to that previous relationship,” Schreier stated. “And there is resonance to that, so I feel it is necessary to everybody to protect that legacy of one thing that emotionally meant a lot to individuals, and guarantee that we consult with that in the appropriate manner, and we defend it and guarantee that it means one thing.”

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Thunderbolts* sees Yelena, Crimson Guardian and Taskmaster group up alongside John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) and Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) after being caught in a lethal lure by mischievous CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). The group, led by de facto chief Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), should efficiently navigate a harmful mission to earn redemption for his or her previous crimes, with the group stepping in for the Avengers to save lots of the world.

Schreier beforehand said that Yelena could be the point of interest of Thunderbolts*. The film chronicles her belief points and emotional state following the loss of life of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in Avengers: Endgame. Moreover, Schreier took inspiration from Pixar’s Toy Story 3 to additional spotlight the Thunderbolts’ belief dynamic and their emotional darkness.

Thunderbolts* Early Reactions Are Constructive

Early reactions to Thunderbolts* have been optimistic, with the film thought of as one of many MCU’s finest entries in current reminiscence. Thunderbolts* is predicted to prime the $70 million mark throughout its opening weekend, a strong return, although decrease than Captain America: Courageous New World.

Thunderbolts* opens in theaters throughout North America on Might 2.

Supply: SFX Journal by way of GamesRadar+

Thunderbolts*

Launch Date

Might 2, 2025

Runtime

126 Minutes

Director

Jake Schreier

Writers

Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo

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  Florence Pugh

  Yelena Belova

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  Sebastian Stan

  James Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier

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  Wyatt Russell

  John Walker / U.S. Agent

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  Olga Kurylenko

  Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster