Opposite the industry magazine reports author Lee Sung Jin for which he is now responsible the writing of “Marvel’s Thunderboltsis, “I’m rewriting it.” This appears to be an extensive overhaul of the script and not just any adjustments. He does not mention Black Widow writer Eric Pearson’s previous screenplay. He works for director Jake Schreier, who brought him on board. Jin actually wanted to take a break, but he was so excited about the film’s themes that he had to take over.
Schreier and Jin have just started working together. Jin developed the upcoming Netflix series BEEF, which Schreier directed. However, with the next joint project, the signs are now reversed. At BEEF, Jin was the boss and Schreier worked for him. “Thunderbolts” is now Schreier’s project. However, the process is very similar as both exchange information on a daily basis.
“Marvel’s Thunderbolts”: Many familiar faces and Steven Yeun
Thunderbolts brings the old BEEF gang back together, Jin notes – and not just behind the camera. Because it has been known for some time that “BEEF” protagonist Steven Yeun has to play an important role in the upcoming MCU movie. It is not known what part Yeun, who is also known for “The Walking Dead” and the movie “Nope”, embodies. However, it’s meant to be a major part in the MCU outside of the movie.
Many suspect that he plays one of the most powerful Marvel characters ever, Robert Reynolds aka Sentry. This came about through experimentation with the Super Soldier Serum, but it didn’t just lead to superhuman strength and speed. Among other things, he can shoot light from his hands, heal himself (and even rise from the dead in the comics), and manipulate the mind.
In addition to Yeun, we see many well-known (anti) heroes who now have to form a team under the leadership of Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine. Also on board are Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova aka Black Widow, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier, Wyatt Russell as John Walker aka U.S. Agent, David Harbor as Alexei Shostakov aka The Red Guardian, Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov aka Taskmaster and Harrison Ford, who will follow in the footsteps of the late William Hurt as Thunderbolt Ross.
There’s been some confusion lately about Hannah John-Kamen’s involvement as Ava Starr aka Ghost. After many MCU insiders suspected she was written off-script during rewrites, the actress just stated in an interview, “I’m definitely in! 1000 percent! That’s all I can reveal.”
MCU on the test bench: sometimes less is more!
There seems to be a lot on the test bench with the MCU right now. Behind the scenes there have been major staff changes that have caused quite a stir lately. It has already been communicated to the outside world that numerous cinema films and many series have exaggerated it a bit. So the series’ publishing cycle has now been straightened out a bit.
Recently, a Marvel movie featuring “Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania” also disappointed at the box office, which should set some alarm bells ringing at the studio. However, it is not clear whether the Thunderbolts revisions are also related to recent changes and course corrections.
It’s entirely possible that director Schreier and the Marvel team led by boss Kevin Feige just weren’t happy with the original script. In any case, Lee Sung Jin should have very little time for his makeover. Thunderbolts is scheduled to hit theaters on July 24, 2024, so filming will have to start very soon if Marvel doesn’t want to postpone the date (which has already been rumored to some extent).
It was actually assumed that work would begin immediately after the current filming of “Captain America 4: New World Order”. Besides, Harrison Ford as the new Thunderbolt Ross just had his first day on set there. We’ve included a link to the images circulating as a tweet above this paragraph, as many MCU fans are currently taking them in with great curiosity. But don’t expect too much. It’s just Harrison Ford in a blue shirt and tie.
By the way, the series “BEEF” by Lee Sung Jin, mentioned repeatedly in this article, will be coming to Netflix on April 6, 2023. Here’s the trailer: