Thunderbolts*: Marvel’s Bold, Emotional Twist on Superheroes – Stan & Russell on Defying Expectations

Russell says his background in sports fueled his desire for the movie to be so good that it proves doubters wrong: "I want to make you eat your words."

 Sebastian Stan and Wyatt Russell recently opened up about their upcoming Marvel film, *Thunderbolts*, discussing its unexpected narrative depth and their determination to defy skeptics. The movie, directed by Jake Schreier, is shaping up to be one of Marvel Studios’ most unconventional stories yet, focusing on themes of mental health, loneliness, and redemption rather than traditional superhero tropes.  

In *Thunderbolts*, Stan reprises his role as Bucky Barnes, now known as Congressman Barnes—a development teased in *Captain America: Brave New World*. Stan likens Bucky’s political career to a retired athlete returning as an ambassador for their former team. While he may not be on the front lines, his presence serves a purpose. However, Bucky’s suspicions about Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, eventually pull him back into action. "He’s trying to keep track of her in a legal and moral way," Stan explains, "but then he realizes, ‘I can just do this in my way, the way that I’ve always done it.’"  

Wyatt Russell returns as John Walker, the disgraced former Captain America, who delivers a particularly vulnerable moment in the film that may reshape audiences’ perceptions of him. Russell emphasized that *Thunderbolts* is far from a typical Marvel team-up movie. Instead, it delves into the psychological struggles of its characters—loners and outcasts manipulated by Valentina into a deadly game. Rather than turning on each other, they unite, forcing each to confront their personal demons.  

Russell, drawing from his background as a professional hockey player, admitted he relishes the challenge of proving doubters wrong. "I want to make you eat your words if you’re like, ‘This movie’s going to blow,’" he said. He praised Marvel for taking a risk with this unconventional story, noting that the film’s focus on flawed, complex characters sets it apart from the usual world-ending stakes of superhero films. "This is a bunch of people who have main character syndrome and have to come together as a team," Russell explained. "They don’t want to, and that makes for interesting dynamics."  

Both actors highlighted the collaborative nature of the production. Stan noted that Marvel has always been open to creative input, and *Thunderbolts* was no exception. Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, and David Harbour all contributed ideas that shaped their characters and the film’s direction. Stan pointed to Pugh’s influence on her character Yelena Belova’s introduction, while Pullman and Harbour brought depth to their roles as well.  

Ultimately, *Thunderbolts* aims to surprise audiences with its emotional depth and character-driven storytelling. As Russell put it, the film is about "making people put their foot in their mouths" by defying expectations. With its unique approach and powerhouse cast, *Thunderbolts* could mark a bold new direction for Marvel when it hits theaters on May 2.