Thunderbolts* Cast: Confirmed Members, MCU Characters & Villain Guide

Marvel’s Thunderbolts* brings together a team of antiheroes and former villains, and fans are already buzzing about who’s joining the roster. With a cast that blends returning MCU favorites and fresh faces, here’s every confirmed member and what we know so far about their roles.

Lead cast members: 8 primary actors announced Directed by: Jake Schreier Release: May 2025 (US May 2 / UK May 1) Studio: Marvel Studios Source material: Marvel Comics ‘Thunderbolts’ (1997)

Eight key numbers define the Thunderbolts* project so far.

Who are the members of the Thunderbolts?

Lead cast in Thunderbolts* (2025)

• Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova – the assassin formerly known as Black Widow’s sister figure (Disney Movies).
• Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier – the super-soldier with a Hydra-lined past (Disney Movies).
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine – the shady government handler who recruited John Walker and Yelena (Disney Movies).
• Lewis Pullman as Robert Reynolds / Sentry – a superhuman with god-like powers, whose comic-book history can tip into villainy (IMDb).
• David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian – the Russian super-soldier and a father figure to Yelena (JustWatch).
• Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent – the government‑backed Captain America replacement with a volatile streak (GamesRadar).
• Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster – a mimic who can copy any fighting style (GamesRadar).
• Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost – a quantum‑phasing infiltrator from Ant‑Man and the Wasp (GamesRadar).

Supporting cast and roles

• Geraldine Viswanathan plays Mel – a new character whose full arc hasn’t been revealed (Disney Movies).
• Chris Bauer and Wendell Pierce appear in undisclosed roles; Pierce plays Congressman Gary (IMDb).

Returning MCU characters

• Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) – last seen in Ant‑Man and the Wasp (2018).
• Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) – last seen in Black Widow (2021).
• U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) – last seen in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).
• Red Guardian (David Harbour) – last seen in Black Widow.
• Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) – last seen in Hawkeye (2021).

Is Marvel Thunderbolts a hit or flop?

The short answer: nobody knows yet, because the film hasn’t been released. The question keeps appearing in search because audiences are eager, not because there are results. Disney Movies lists the release window as May 2025, and GamesRadar confirms a UK date of May 1, 2025. Pre-release buzz is high – the cast roster alone draws attention – but box office numbers won’t be known until after the opening weekend. Early forecasts are not yet available from official industry trackers.

The catch: until the box office reports, any claim about success is guesswork.

Is Ryan Reynolds in Thunderbolts?

Ryan Reynolds is not listed in any current cast announcement. The official Disney Movies page for Thunderbolts* does not include his name, and neither does the IMDb full cast & crew listing. Reynolds plays Deadpool in a separate corner of the Marvel universe (now under the MCU banner after Deadpool & Wolverine), but no Marvel statement connects him to this project. Rumours circulate online, but as of early 2025, there is zero confirmed evidence.

The pattern: the question likely arises because fans associate Reynolds with Marvel team‑up movies. However, the Thunderbolts* roster is already full with eight lead actors plus supporting players. For more superhero cast guides, check the Cast of Venom 2018 and the Shazam Cast.

Is Scarlett Johansson in Thunderbolts?

Scarlett Johansson is not in the cast. Her MCU character, Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow, died in Avengers: Endgame (2019). No resurrection or flashback appearance has been announced. The Disney Movies cast list does not include her, and the IMDb credits show no Johansson involvement. Despite her past legal dispute with Disney over the Black Widow release strategy – settled amicably in 2021 – she has not “quit” Marvel; she executive‑produced Tower of Terror and remains on good terms. But for Thunderbolts*, her story in the MCU is complete.

The pattern: while Black Widow is gone, Yelena Belova carries the narrative torch, steering the team away from direct comparisons.

Cast of Thunderbolts: Bob, villain, Ghost, Valentina, and Mel

Who is Bob in Thunderbolts*?

Bob is the nickname for Robert Reynolds, played by Lewis Pullman. In the comics, Reynolds is the Sentry, a superhuman with the power of “a million exploding suns.” IMDb lists Pullman as “Robert Reynolds / Sentry.” Whether Sentry will be an ally, antagonist, or something in between is still under wraps.

Who is the villain in Thunderbolts*?

No official villain has been named. Given Sentry’s comic‑book history as an unstable force who can turn into the villainous Void, many expect him to serve as the primary threat. However, Marvel Studios has not confirmed this. The unnamed roles for Chris Bauer and Wendell Pierce could hint at other antagonists, but until a trailer or plot synopsis drops, it remains speculation.

Who is Ghost in Thunderbolts*?

Ghost is Ava Starr, portrayed by Hannah John‑Kamen. She returns from Ant‑Man and the Wasp (2018), where she was a sympathetic antagonist with phasing abilities. In Thunderbolts*, she joins the team as a core member.

Who is Valentina in Thunderbolts*?

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is played by Julia Louis‑Dreyfus. The character first appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and later recruited Yelena Belova in Black Widow’s post‑credit scene. She is the team’s likely handler or government liaison.

Who is Mel in Thunderbolts*?

Geraldine Viswanathan plays a character named Mel, according to Disney Movies. Her role has not been described in the provided sources, so Mel’s function – support staff, new recruit, or government agent – is still unknown.

What this means: the unanswered questions about Sentry, the villain, and Mel are driving the conversation, keeping Thunderbolts* in the spotlight until the first trailer.

Timeline of Thunderbolts* developments

• 1997 – Thunderbolts debut in Marvel Comics.
• 2021 – Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow lawsuit against Disney over day‑and‑date release; settled later that year.
• 2022 – Marvel announces Thunderbolts* at D23; Jake Schreier attached to direct.
• 2023 – Casting announcements confirm returning MCU actors.
• 2024 – Filming takes place (per industry reports).
• 2025 – Release window: US May 2, UK May 1.

The implication: the project has moved from comic‑book origin to live‑action in under three years – a relatively fast turnaround for a new MCU team.

“The official cast listing includes eight primary actors – Pugh, Stan, Louis‑Dreyfus, Pullman, Harbour, Russell, Kurylenko, and John‑Kamen – all backed by Disney’s confirmation.”

Disney Movies – Thunderbolts* page

“Thunderbolts* is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name. The film is directed by Jake Schreier and is part of Phase Five of the MCU.”

GamesRadar – Thunderbolts* release date and cast

“Lewis Pullman is listed in the credits as Robert Reynolds / Sentry, a character with immense power that often destabilizes the narrative in the comics.”

IMDb Full Cast & Crew – Thunderbolts*

“The ensemble brings together characters first introduced in Black Widow, Ant‑Man and the Wasp, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, creating a crossover of MCU antiheroes.”

JustWatch – Thunderbolts* cast explained

For the audience following every MCU release, the Thunderbolts* cast is a mix of familiar faces and intriguing unknowns. The confirmed eight‑member core gives the film a solid foundation, while the unresolved questions – who exactly the villain is, what Mel’s role will be – keep the speculation alive until the first trailer drops. For Marvel fans waiting for a clear picture, the next few months will bring either answers or more questions. The only certainty: Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova will likely be the focal point, but the movie’s success remains unknown until May.

Frequently asked questions