The buzz surrounding Marvel Studios’ upcoming film Thunderbolts* has intensified, sparking speculation about the fate of one particular character. As we edge closer to the movie’s premiere, scheduled for just a month from now, more details are surfacing about the Phase 5 installment, including the intriguing lineup of antiheroes and reformed villains that comprise the Thunderbolts team. However, there are growing concerns that not all of them will make it through the film unscathed.
Marvel’s president, Kevin Feige, officially announced the cast of Thunderbolts* back in 2022. Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Sebastian Stan, and Olga Kurylenko are set to reprise their iconic MCU roles. While initial reactions to the casting were mixed, recent teasers and trailers have heightened excitement levels. That said, I believe that not every character will receive the attention they deserve—and it seems increasingly likely that Taskmaster may not survive the movie.
Speculations Around Taskmaster’s Fate in Thunderbolts*
The Mysterious Status of Antonia Dreykov in Thunderbolts*
Taskmaster was introduced to MCU audiences in 2021’s Black Widow. However, this version of the character is distinct from the traditional depiction of Tony Masters; instead, we see Antonia Dreykov, the presumed-dead daughter of General Dreykov. She was transformed into Taskmaster through mind control after an assassination attempt by Natasha Romanoff, ultimately leading to her liberation at the hands of Natasha and Yelena Belova.
With Antonia’s return in Thunderbolts*, there was potential to explore her character more deeply and possibly win over fans. Still, trailers have only shown her in her mask, with Kurylenko’s face withheld from promotional content. This lack of visibility has fueled theories that Taskmaster might not survive the movie, which I believe has been subtly reinforced by Marvel itself.
Recent Teasers Hinting at Taskmaster’s Demise
Changes in the Latest Teaser: A Significant Omission
The latest teaser, dubbed “Absolute Cinema,” highlights every member of the Thunderbolts team except for Taskmaster. Notably, she does not appear in the teaser at all, and more tellingly, Marvel has edited Taskmaster out of a pivotal scene that previously featured her. Originally, Taskmaster was depicted approaching Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in the Avengers Tower. Now, with her absence from this moment, it seems she may have never been part of that scene, hinting at her possible demise occurring much earlier in the film—potentially during a critical encounter at the secret OXE facility or in a confrontation with Lewis Pullman’s Sentry.
Implications from Avengers: Doomsday’s Cast Reveal
Kurylenko’s Absence from the Cast Raises Eyebrows
In late March, Marvel Studios unveiled the first roster of 27 actors confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, with nearly all members of the Thunderbolts featured prominently. This announcement has quieted speculation on the fates of fan-favorite characters like Bucky Barnes. However, the conspicuous absence of Olga Kurylenko from this casting reveal strengthens the assumption that Taskmaster will not survive the impending events of Thunderbolts*.
| MCU Thunderbolt Member | Actor | Debut Project | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bucky Barnes’ Winter Soldier | Sebastian Stan | Captain America: The First Avenger | 2011 |
| Ava Starr’s Ghost | Hannah John-Kamen | Ant-Man and the Wasp | 2018 |
| John Walker’s US Agent | Wyatt Russell | The Falcon and the Winter Soldier | 2021 |
| Yelena Belova’s Black Widow | Florence Pugh | Black Widow | 2021 |
| Alexei Shostakov’s Red Guardian | David Harbour | Black Widow | 2021 |
| Antonia Dreykov’s Taskmaster | Olga Kurylenko | Black Widow | 2021 |
| Robert Reynolds’ Sentry | Lewis Pullman | Thunderbolts* | 2025 |
It’s plausible that Marvel Studios is aware of the mounting theories regarding Taskmaster’s fate and may be deliberately creating misleading information. The absence of Taskmaster from the promotional content could be a clever plot twist that underscores Antonia Dreykov’s actual narrative arc in the film. Furthermore, there’s a possibility that Kurylenko may be confirmed for a role in Avengers: Doomsday at a later date, aligning with other key characters. While all will soon be unveiled, Thunderbolts* is set for release on May 2, 2025, and it appears Taskmaster’s prospects may be anything but bright.