Thunderbolts Isn’t MCU’s Suicide Squad, Says Director (& He’s Right)

While it’s not hard to observe that the Suicide Squad and the upcoming Thunderbolts* share some common elements, such as teams consisting of reformed villains and an aim to keep audiences entertained until the return of the Avengers and Justice League. However, if there’s someone who emphasizes the distinctiveness between these two teams, it would be Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier. In a recent interview with Fortress of Solitude, he expressed his eagerness to explore what sets the Thunderbolts apart from other on-screen ensembles. Although they may seem alike, the objectives of the Thunderbolts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will not align with those of the Suicide Squad.

According to Schreier, Eric Pearson’s script and Brian Chapek’s development of it introduced an unexpected twist: instead of forming a rogue team for black ops, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine initially tasks them with fighting each other. This sets the Thunderbolts apart from the start, allowing for a focus on internal character struggles rather than external conflicts, and offering an opportunity to differentiate their storyline.

Following the occurrences of “Black Widow”, Yelena Belova (played by Florence Pugh) can expect a series of challenging missions ahead. These assignments will bring characters like Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), and the Red Guardian (David Harbour) into the picture. The “Thunderbolts” team, one of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s upcoming films, is set to be among the last to be released before “Avengers: Doomsday”. Many characters from this film directed by Jake Schreier will reappear in next year’s grand crossover event.

Although Thunderbolts* aims to differ from Suicide Squad in style, the team behind it is hopeful for comparable box office revenue, as the initial Suicide Squad movie grossed over $700 million worldwide. Such earnings would undeniably be beneficial for Marvel Studios before The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters. However, Marvel has already gained an upper hand in one area: Characters from Thunderbolts* will reappear in Avengers: Doomsday next year regardless of this film’s box office performance. In contrast, Warner Bros. waited several years to produce a sequel to Suicide Squad (2016).

We’re nearly there – just a few days left until we discover if viewers will take a liking to the upcoming film, Thunderbolts. The previous movie in the series, Captain America: Brave New World, managed to garner $414 million at the worldwide box office. Before other movies enter the fray, Thunderbolts will have some free time, with Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning both expected to draw significant attention upon their theater releases. For now, Thunderbolts aims to kickstart a fresh franchise for Disney and Marvel Studios, as the Marvel Cinematic Universe gets ready for its biggest crossover event yet.

Thunderbolts* will be released in theaters this week.

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2025-04-29 22:10