Thunderbolts Actor Comments on Replacing The Bear Star in Major MCU Role

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2021 has been an outstanding year for Marvel’s group performances, as both Thunderbolts* and Fantastic Four: First Steps have struck a chord with viewers. However, Thunderbolts* really stood out, combining popular Marvel characters with lesser-known ones for an exhilarating journey that was not only action-packed but also emotionally intense. During the production process, Geraldine Viswanathan replaced Ayo Edebiri as the star of The Bear, portraying Mel Gold (also known as Songbird). Recently, Viswanathan discussed with ComicBook the details behind her casting and the hurdles she encountered in this role.

Due to unexpected schedule adjustments following writers’ and actors’ strikes, the initial cast member Mel, played by Edebiri, had to depart from the project. In an interview, ComicBook’s Chris Killian inquired about replacing Edebiri with Viswanathan and whether any modifications were made to the character as a consequence.

Viswanathan expressed that the story and character were always clear, but he added his own touch, not a massive revamp. He mentioned this early on because he’s familiar with the character, as many from The Bear project also worked on it. As a result, he felt the need to make it feel personal to him.

Following the release of the movie’s finale, it’s clear that Viswanathan truly embodied her character, sparking audience anticipation for her character’s comic book transformation into the Songbird. Despite not having conversations with Edebiri regarding Thunderbolts yet, Viswanathan expressed her excitement by saying, “We haven’t yet, but she’s incredibly busy and in demand right now, I believe she’s in London at the moment. However, all she’s said is something along the lines of ‘Wow, you’ve got this.’

Songbird and the Future

Many actors from the Thunderbolts* team are coming back for Avengers: Doomsday. Since they’re now part of the New Avengers, it’s expected that they’ll have significant roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe moving forward. If all characters make it through Doomsday, we might see their characters develop even more, possibly even transforming Mel into the character we recognize from the comics.

*The term ‘Thunderbolts’ refers to a fictional superhero team in the Marvel Comics universe.

If the opportunity arises for Viswanathan to portray Songbird, she is highly enthusiastic about this possibility and eagerly envisions herself sporting Songbird’s iconic pink and white hair. In her own words: “I believe I could bring something special to the role. I think I would look fantastic with a wig.” Furthermore, she has been considering a change in her hair color for some time now, and this role seems tailor-made for her, as she is ready and eager to take on the challenge. In essence, Viswanathan is expressing her readiness and excitement about this potential project.

Let’s be patient about the fate of the Thunderbolts and Songbird, as only time will tell; however, we can look forward to their reappearance in a movie setting with the release of Avengers: Doomsday coming up soon.

Thunderbolts* is currently streaming on Disney+.

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2025-09-06 22:13