Marvel’s forthcoming film, Thunderbolts*, is set to bring a host of sidelined characters back into the limelight.
Florence Pugh will be reprising her role to lead this unconventional group of antiheroes, alongside Marvel stalwarts like Sebastian Stan and some fresh faces.
While the majority of the plot remains a secret, the synopsis reveals that a band of villains are enlisted for a government mission.
This could signal a daring new trajectory for the MCU, with the film teasing ‘be careful who you assemble’.
But who exactly are the characters in Thunderbolts*? And when did we last encounter them in the MCU? Here’s all the information you need.
Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova in 2021’s Black Widow (Image: Marvel)
Yelena Belova / Black Widow.
Portrayed by: Florence Pugh.
Last appearance in the MCU: Hawkeye (Disney+ series).
As the adoptive sibling of Natasha Romanoff and a fellow agent from the Red Room, Yelena made her debut in Black Widow where she reunited with Scarlett Johansson’s character. Together, they toppled General Dreykov and Yelena assumed the duty of liberating other Black Widows from their mind control.
She was among the characters who disappeared during the Blip, and upon her return, she featured in the Hawkeye Disney+ series on a quest to eliminate Clint Barton, whom she held responsible for her sister’s demise. Fans will discover her next move in Thunderbolts*, but the initial trailer hints at a life as a mercenary.
Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian.
Played by: David Harbour.
Last seen in the MCU: Black Widow.
The Soviet Union’s answer to Captain America, Red Guardian, was introduced in the MCU through Black Widow.
He once acted as the father of Yelena and Natasha while spying for the Soviet Union, but found himself imprisoned after criticising the government.
However, he is sprung from jail to assist in locating the leader of the Red Room. He aids them, but Thunderbolts* will depict Alexei’s struggle to lead a normal life outside his Red Guardian costume.
John Walker was supposed to be the new Captain America (Image: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)
Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier.
Portrayed by: Sebastian Stan.
Most recent appearance in the MCU: Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
A WWII veteran and close friend of Steve Rogers, Bucky first appeared in the MCU in Captain America The First Avenger.
Comic enthusiasts knew that when Bucky was seen falling to his supposed death, his narrative was far from finished.
Captured, injected with a super soldier serum and brainwashed by HYDRA, Bucky would transform into The Winter Soldier in the Captain America sequel.
Rogers eventually reunites with his friend after several battles, and Bucky is taken to Wakanda to have his brainwashing removed following the events of Black Panther.
He joined the Avengers for Infinity War, but his most recent appearance was in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier series on Disney+, where he collaborates with Sam Wilson to combat The Flag Smashers.
John Walker / U. S. Agent.
Portrayed by: Wyatt Russell.
Most recent appearance in MCU: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.
John Walker, a former captain in the US Army, was selected to succeed Steve Rogers as the new Captain America. However, after using the super solider serum on the battlefield, he murders a surrendering foreign national in retaliation for his friend’s death.
Consequently, he is relieved of his duties and demoted. In Thunderbolts*, John is recruited as the U.S. Agent.
Antonia Derykov / Taskmaster
Portrayed by Olga Kurylenko
Last seen in MCU: Black Widow.
The MCU’s interpretation of Taskmaster deviates slightly from the comic book version. Introduced in Black Widow, this Taskmaster is revealed to be General Derykov’s daughter, the head of the Red Room.
Antonia possesses extraordinary photographic reflexes that enable her to replicate other individuals’ combat techniques, including those of the Avengers. However, she was manipulated by a chip that controlled her mind and body.
She gains freedom when Natasha assassinates the General and dismantles the Red Room. Since then, it appears she has become a close ally of the new Black Widow, Yelena.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Image: Marvel Studios/Disney )
Ava Starr / Ghost
Played by Hannah John-Kamen
Last seen in MCU: Ant Man and The Wasp.
Ava acquired her powers following a quantum accident that resulted in her parents’ deaths, earning her the moniker Ghost. With a specially designed suit, she can phase through matter.
Due to a lack of quantum energy, she was dying and sought out Hank Pym, the original Ant Man, to use a device he had invented to cure herself, which put her at odds with Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang.
Janet van Dyne managed to stabilise Ghost’s condition after escaping from the quantum realm, subsequently going into hiding.
Robert Reynolds / Sentry
Portrayed by Lewis Pullman
Last seen in MCU: Making his debut in Thunderbolts*
In the film’s trailer, he introduces himself as ‘Bob’. It’s speculated that he will be revealed as Sentry, but it remains unclear which version of the character’s origin story will be used in the film.
Like many characters in Thunderbolts*, his powers typically originate from the super soldier serum, and in some narratives, he forgets about his super-powered alter ego.
Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
Played by Julia Louis Dreyfus
Last seen in the MCU: Black Panther Wakanda Forever
Fontaine is an enigmatic character whose motives, beyond recruiting super powered individuals, are yet to be fully disclosed. She holds the position of CIA Director and is the former spouse of Martin Freeman’s character, Everett Ross.
First appearing in a post-credits scene for Black Widow, Fontaine informs Yelena that Clint was responsible for her sister’s death. She also recruits John Walker following his discharge, leading to speculation that she may be assembling the Thunderbolts team.