Summary
AThunderbolts*test screening reaction reveals potential spoilers and the response to the film could be a positive sign for Marvel Studios.
Thunderboltscenters on a team comprised of fan-favorite MCU anti-heroes, including Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky, Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost, Wyatt Russell’s John Walker/US Agent, David Harbour’s Red Guardian, and Olga Kurylenko’s Taskmaster. MCU newcomer Lewis Pullman joins the roster as Bob/Sentry and Julia Louis-Dreyfus reprises her role as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Unfortunately, some fans’expectations forThunderbolts are low, partly because the ensemble cast doesn’t include the roster of more powerful characters from the comics. However, an alleged test screening claims fans may have reason to look forward toThunderbolts*.
The Geeky Cast’sChad Ryan(who is labeled as a “somewhat reliable source” by the Reddit community) claimsthe latestThunderboltstest screenings have been “very positive.“According to Ryan, theThunderboltsaction scenes are “amazing” and the best belong to Ghost. While theCaptain America 4trailer gaveWinter Soldiervibes, Ryan notes that the tone ofThunderbolts*is comparable to the secondCaptain Americamovie.
Ryan’s post also featuredpotentialThunderboltsspoilers. Per Ryan, Yelena is the mainThunderboltscharacter, and the film opens with her on a mission. There will also be scenes in the Red Room, the alternate name given to the Black Widow program. Perhaps the most notable alleged spoiler is thatSentry will become the Void in the third act ofThunderbolts*. As comic book fans know, the Void is the darker alternate person of Sentry.
The MCU is at a bit of a low point, a fact Marvel Studios acknowledged with a joke at its own expense inDeadpool and Wolverine. Except forSpider-Man: No Way Home,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, andDeadpool and Wolverine, most of Marvel Studios' post-Avengers: Endgamefilms have underperformed at the box office or flopped with critics (sometimes both). While some films likeBlack WidowandShang-Chiwere released amid the COVID-19 pandemic when audiences were reluctant to visit theaters, andThe Marvelspremiered during the 2023 actors' strike, few will deny the MCU isn’t in its heyday. So, if Ryan’s post is accurate, Marvel Studios is likely pleased to hear the positive reactions towardThunderbolts*and undoubtedly hopes it meansDeadpool and Wolverine’s box office success wasn’t a fluke.
Fans are seemingly less enthralled withThunderbolts*. This may be because the roster doesn’t include the same characters from the comics, and it may also be because the film feels like an odd addition to the Multiverse Saga with no apparent connection to the MCU’s overarching story. However, this may be beneficial forThunderbolts*. The Multiverse Saga has been hit or miss, so a break from the MCU’s latest storyline may be warranted. Plus, if expectations are low, fans may be pleasantly surprised byThunderbolts*.
Thunderbolts*is scheduled to be released in theaters on Jun 12, 2025.
Thunderbolts*
Marvel’s Thunderbolts is a superhero movie based on the comic team of the same name. It is part of the MCU’s fifth phase of films. The film features Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell, the Red Guardian, and more as an unlikely group of heroes and villains brought together to fight for good.
