Thunderbolts* is the hotly anticipated debut of Marvel’s anti-hero of teams, as well as the pathway to reopening some old AND brand new doors in the MCU. Prior to the film’s release today, we at OTN were very lucky to attend the global press conference for Thunderbolts* and here are the five most interesting facts and lessons we took away from the cast and crew involved.
1. Florence Pugh’s input on Yelena reached the costume department
Yelena Belova is one of the most popular characters in the MCU, and we have Florence Pugh to thank for that. However, Pugh loves this character so much, that she took it a step further with the character and her arc. In the opening sequence, it was Pugh’s idea to take Belova out of the tatctical spy suit and have her wear a track suit instead. Pugh said “We open up a discussion that she has to be in a tracksuit that doesn’t protect her. Let’s take away that added layer of protection, instead of her supersuit, which would have gadgets. Even though she’s doing all these cool things and stunts, realistically she’s going into a mission completely bare. And that also adds texture how desperate she is for someone to end it for her. And of course, you have to act on top of the tallest building and pretend as if it’s not scary and as if you want to jump off it”. So many layers to an already extremely deep and complex character.
2. Geraldine Viswanathan and Mel have an important timeline moment in common
Geraldine Viswanathan, who plays Val’s assistant Mel in Thunderbolts*, talks about how her and Mel share something important in common: They were both in high school when The Avengers took over New York City. She excitedly told the moderator, “I have the line that ‘I was in high school when the Avengers came’, and I really was in high school when I saw that movie at the theatre with my friends at the mall!”. That point is very integral to Mel as a character and Viswanathan’s adolescence as well. Speaking futher on being a part of Thunderbolts*, especially after being a fan after all these years she says “It was really full circle and surreal to be in one of these movies. I feel so fortunate to enter this univerise and in this particular movie, which feels like a breath of fresh air. It has that classic Marvel feeling with this kind of emotional nuance and depth. When I first got to see this Movie, I saw it as audience member and cried a bunch, it really landed on me”.
3. David Harbour on playing Red Guardian with the childlike wonder
David Harbour’s Red Guardian is a fan favourite for a reason, he’s the fun dad. He’s also a superhero who just wants to help people, be loved, and most importantly, be on a Wheaties box. Speaking further on this, Harbour says “You could argue that his obsession with rekindling his glory comes from deragement of failure and all these dark places. And yet, also he just loves being a superhero. There is a portion of me as I act that has a very detailed dark backstory to it, and also just me as a kid, putting on supersuit in a Marvel movie with incredible actors, whom I adore. ‘Guys, we get to hang out today!’. I mean, there’s a puppy quality to him. I do love that Film lets me play that.”
4. Lewis Pullman’s favourite MCU film is..?
Okay, before we get to that, let’s talk about Lewis Pullman. He’s the standout of this film as “Bob” and will easily become a fan favourite in due time. Funnily enough, Bob would very likely get along with the characters in Pullman’s answer. When asked what his favourite MCU film was, Pullman said “Guardians of the Galaxy made me feel like I had made a bunch of new friends. It had such a powerful effect and that’s why Marvel has been doing so well since day one, grounding these beautiful human truths. It’s a hard line to toe. I should really watch it again now that I’m talking about it, as it gives me joy”. Pullman’s choice is excellent, as Guardians is one of the most beloved superhero films of all time and arguably set the tone for MCU films moving forward, especially when it came to how comedy would be handled.
5. The cast of Thunderbolts* has already shot footage for Avengers: Doomsday
The conference ended on a very quick but exciting note. Firstly, Kevin Feige said Avengers: Doomsday would begin filming on Monday (at the time of this being published it’s four days into principal photography), but secondly, Pugh mentioned with surprise that this was news to her, as she’s already shot footage on the set of Doomsday. Feige went on to tell the actress that it was a pre-shoot day, to which her eyes widened with curiosity. No spoilers from us on this front, but its extremely exciting nonetheless.
Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Wendell Pierce, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The latest and greatest from Marvel is out in theatres NOW!!!
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