“We had many discussions about how to draw the line and address these less-discussed topics in large-scale films,” said actor Lewis Pullman, one of the stars of “Thunderbolts,” during a press conference for the film’s release where news agency Lusa was present.
“I grew up with quite a bit of anxiety and depression,” the actor confessed, noting the parallel between his real-life experience and what his character Bob faces. “A major goal of the film was to get rid of the awkward feeling we have when we talk about this,” he added. “It’s in the silence that true suffering occurs.”
The action of “Thunderbolts” is set in 2027, following the events of “Captain America: New World,” which are briefly referenced in the plot. It revolves around a team of disillusioned anti-heroes who accidentally come together to survive a trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).
The team comprises Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and John Walker (Wyatt Russell).
Florence Pugh shared that she performed a substantial number of her character’s stunts, including a scene resulting in a phenomenal fall from one of the tallest buildings in the world.
“She is lost, she has no reasons to be here,” the actress stated. “She lost her sister, lost her family, has no relationship with her father. She’s in a mental state where she doesn’t mind putting herself at risk.”
This emptiness is one aspect of her mental health that becomes significant in the story, leading Florence Pugh to opt for a tracksuit over a hero costume, making her more exposed and at risk. “It adds texture to her desperation for someone to end her.”
The film explores Yelena’s trauma and reintroduces her father, Red Guardian, who sees this adventure as a final opportunity to return to his glory days. Actor David Harbour said this obsession “comes from a disturbance of failure” in these very dark places.
John Walker, aspiring to be a national hero like Captain America, suffers from a version of the same obsession as Red Guardian. “It’s a reflection of current society, where no one does anything for altruistic reasons,” actor Wyatt Russell commented. “We’re all waiting for a camera to spotlight us and make us famous on TikTok or Instagram.”
Russell described John Walker as the kind of American hero who uses sports and physical fitness to mask feelings. “He has to wear armor and set his vulnerabilities aside. Never admitting he feels bad,” he continued. “He doesn’t want to talk to anyone about it because when he does, that sliver of vulnerability could destroy him.”
All these themes are brought to light in a film directed by Jake Schreier, which doesn’t lack action, visual effects, and striking cinematography. The soundtrack, composed by the band Son Lux, is integrated as if it were another character in the film.
Marvel holds high expectations for the performance of “Thunderbolts,” estimated to have cost between $150 million and $200 million to produce. Projections suggest global opening revenues around $175 million, based on pre-sales and initial critical reception, which has been positive.
