The Marvel Hall H panel at Comic-Con this year was not without its theatrics, as David Harbour showed up dressed as his Russian character Alexi Shostakov. In a humorous moment, Harbour called out the rest of the panel for not dressing up, claiming he had sent an email reminding them to do so. The banter continued as Harbour jokingly mentioned promises made by his fellow cast members that were not kept, adding a lighthearted tone to the panel.
During the panel, Marvel Studios treated fans to the first footage from Thunderbolts, the upcoming superhero film set to close out Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The trailer showcased Florence Pugh’s character Yelena returning home to Alexi, only to find herself entangled in a dangerous mission with the Thunderbolts team. The dark-hued action and trippy scenes depicted in the footage hinted at a different direction for superhero movies.
Thunderbolts boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Harrison Ford as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier, David Harbour as Red Guardian, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, among others. The film was first announced at Comic-Con 2022 and is scheduled for release on May 5, 2025.
Marvel’s Future Plans
In addition to Thunderbolts, Marvel’s upcoming film slate includes Captain America: Brave New World, The Fantastic Four, Blade, Avengers 5, and Avengers: Secret Wars, set to be released in the coming years. With a new mandate of two films per year, Marvel is shifting its focus to quality over quantity, allowing for more meticulous planning and production of each project.
As San Diego Comic-Con continues to be a hub for exciting announcements and exclusive footage, Marvel Studios made a strong impression with its presentation of Thunderbolts. The film’s unique concept and talented cast have generated buzz among fans, setting the stage for another successful addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Phase Five coming to a close and Phase Six already on the horizon, the future looks bright for Marvel and its dedicated fanbase.
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