‘Thunderbolts’ star teases ‘new elements’ for the MCU, but also calls the team ‘a bunch of losers’

Every time a new Marvel Cinematic Universe project rolls around, we’re told without fail that it’s bringing something new, fresh, and exciting to the franchise. At the end of the day, though, the long-running superhero saga has a formula that it resolutely adheres to each and every time a new movie or Disney Plus show arrives, but could Thunderbolts really break the mold?

It’s definitely a unique proposition within the context of the MCU, given that virtually every major character announced so far was initially introduced as either someone painted in heavy shades of grey, or an outright villain. One member of the titular team fans can’t wait to see again is David Harbour’s Red Guardian, who became an instant favorite after debuting in Black Widow.

In an interview with Collider, the Stranger Things star admitted that while the team are “a bunch of losers” when they first get together, their unlikely union introduces some brand new things to the mythology that audiences will have never seen before.

“It’s not what you’d expect. It incorporates a couple new elements, new things that we have yet to see in the universe. It’s really cool. We introduce a thing that’s super cool. It’s vital. I’m psyched that Julia Louis Dreyfus’ character is going to be, in a bigger way, explored. One of the things you’ll probably know is that the me and Florence dynamic will be in there and explored in a way that’s really cool.

But all these guys, Sebastian’s character, Wyatt’s character, I just love this mercenary element in the MCU. MCU has always been sort of elevated in a certain way. Captain America, even Iron Man, although he has egos, are always in it for the right reasons or ultimately does the right thing. And I like these guys who are a bunch of losers or a bunch of guys who can’t quite get it right. And so far what they’ve pitched me just feels really cool.”

Consider us intrigued, then, especially when Thunderbolts is one of the last entries in Phase Five before Avengers: The Kang Dynasty lands. It could end up having a huge bearing on the impending reassembly of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, while simultaneously slapping a fresh coat of paint on the familiar trappings of the MCU. If that happens, then we’re onto a winner.