Marvel’s Thunderbolts* (The New Avengers) is now playing in theaters, and co-writer Eric Pearson has revealed scrapped ideas and alternate versions of the film that were considered during development. Check them out below.
1. The Adamantium Version
In one early version of Thunderbolts*, the story included “a bunch of adamantium” — the indestructible metal tied to Wolverine. The plot was large-scale and ambitious but was ultimately deemed too sprawling. Kevin Feige suggested a more focused, character-driven approach, which led to a scaled-down version.
2. Set Entirely in the Vault
One version of the movie took place entirely in the Vault, a secret underground prison. Characters were assigned to kill each other as part of a hidden agenda by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Pearson compared the tone to Die Hard with a twist — the team accidentally forms while trying to escape. This concept evolved into the film’s final underground introduction, with later changes adding a road trip and a showdown in New York City.
3. John Walker Becomes Red Hulk
Early drafts featured Wyatt Russell‘s U.S. Agent (Walker) transforming into Red Hulk. Val tricks Walker with fake medication that secretly turns him into a weapon. The team would try to save him rather than kill him. This idea was ultimately scrapped in favor of introducing Lewis Pullman‘s Sentry (Bob), who better represented themes of inner conflict and instability.
4. Taskmaster Survives
Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) was originally part of a major subplot with Ava/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen). Both characters shared a background of being lab experiments, with Ava helping Taskmaster adapt to the outside world. A recurring gag involved Taskmaster forgetting her surroundings and attacking teammates, but it was cut for tonal clarity. In the final version, Ghost shockingly kills her early on.
5. Goliath Returns
Laurence Fishburne’s Bill Foster (Goliath) nearly returned. He was tied to the Red Hulk storyline and had a “Goliath moment.” However, the plot didn’t fit, and cutting him made Ghost more isolated and sympathetic.
6. More in the Void
The Void, created by Sentry’s darker half, originally had a longer, more surreal sequence. Director Jake Schreier reimagined it as realistic, “Being John Malkovich”-style rooms. Many characters had “shame rooms,” but only a few made the final cut.
7. Possible Scarlett Johansson Cameo
Yelena revisits her memories, which could have featured Natasha (Black Widow). Pearson can’t confirm if Johansson was in any draft but admits it “was probably discussed.”
8. Ending with a Thunderbolts or Avengers Reveal
In Pearson’s draft, Val introduces the team to the public as “The Thunderbolts.” Yelena (Florence Pugh) claims control with the line: “You work for us now.” Kevin Feige’s note? “She should have introduced them as the Avengers.” Pearson took that as high praise and a sign of Marvel’s long-term plans.
Thunderbolts* (The New Avengers) is directed by Schreier and stars Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, Pugh as Yelena Belova, Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent, Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost, Louis-Dreyfus as Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Pullman as Sentry, and Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel.
Synopsis: In Thunderbolts* (The New Avengers), Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes — Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap — set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine — these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart — or find redemption and unite as something much more — before it’s too late?
Thunderbolts* was released in the United States on May 2, 2025, and opened with $172.9 million at the worldwide box office. The film had a production budget of $180 million.
Source: The Wrap
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