Marvel Studios has released an extended preview of its upcoming film Thunderbolts, showcasing a diverse team of anti-heroes who have appeared in various previous Marvel projects. Some of these characters have not been seen for a while, and one is entirely new to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Below is an overview of the characters involved and their backgrounds.
Yelena Belova
Yelena Belova is a former Black Widow and the adoptive sister of Natasha Romanoff. Introduced in the Black Widow movie, Yelena last appeared in the Hawkeye series. Following Natasha’s death in Avengers: Endgame, Yelena, misled by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, sought revenge on Clint Barton. After a confrontation, Yelena was convinced of the true circumstances surrounding Natasha’s sacrifice, which helped undo Thanos’ snap and brought her back to life.
Ava Starr, aka Ghost
Ava Starr was last seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp. She became a victim of her father’s failed Quantum Realm experiment, causing her to suffer "molecular disequilibrium." Ava was adopted by Bill Foster, a colleague of her late father, and was later used by SHIELD as a secret agent. Despite her condition being temporarily stabilized by Janet Van Dyne, she continued to search for a permanent cure. In Thunderbolts, she appears with a new suit enhancing her abilities.
John Walker, aka US Agent
John Walker was introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as the government’s replacement for Steve Rogers as Captain America. Walker, a former U.S. Army Ranger, was expelled from his role after publicly executing a Flag Smasher due to the effects of the Super Soldier Serum. He was subsequently recruited by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine to serve as U.S. Agent.
Antonia Dreykov, aka Taskmaster
Antonia Dreykov, the antagonist of Black Widow, is the daughter of General Dreykov, the overseer of the Red Room Academy. Severely injured in a bombing, Antonia was turned into Taskmaster, a highly skilled operative with photographic reflexes. She was eventually freed from her father’s control by Natasha Romanoff.
Alexei Shostakov, aka Red Guardian
Introduced in Black Widow, Alexei Shostakov is the first official Russian supersoldier and a father figure to Natasha and Yelena. After being rescued from prison, he assisted in dismantling the Red Room. By the time Thunderbolts begins, he is living in solitude, awaiting another opportunity to don his Red Guardian persona.
Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier
Bucky Barnes, well-known from his extensive history in the MCU, is Steve Rogers’ best friend who was brainwashed by Hydra. After freeing himself from Hydra’s control and recovering from Thanos’ snap, Bucky helped Sam Wilson in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. His role in Thunderbolts is still unclear, but it is speculated to involve past connections with Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who heads the CIA, is the mastermind behind the Thunderbolts team. Making her initial appearance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, she has been actively recruiting key personnel for covert operations. The potential complexities of her character, as depicted in the comics, include affiliations with SHIELD, Hydra, and Leviathan.
“Bob,” aka the Sentry?
The trailer for Thunderbolts introduces a new character named Bob, played by Lewis Pullman, who is rumored to be Sentry, a powerful character from the comics. The Sentry, known as Robert Reynolds, gained his abilities from the Golden Sentry Serum, endowing him with immense strength and durability. His complex backstory involves battling multiple threats, including his dark alter-ego, the Void.
The upcoming Thunderbolts movie aims to explore these rich character backgrounds and their interactions, adding new layers to the MCU’s storyline. This film is highly anticipated for its ensemble cast and the dynamic complexities they bring to the narrative.
