Overview
- The marketing campaign for Thunderbolts* is advancing with vibrant behind-the-scenes footage and set images, creating a buzz ahead of its premiere.
- Fans have likened Thunderbolts* to “Marvel’s Suicide Squad”due to its ensemble of anti-heroes and reformed villains engaging in a significant showdown.
- The film prioritizes exciting real stunt work over traditional green screen techniques, aiming to resonate with MCU enthusiasts and drive box office sales.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe prepares for the much-anticipated release of Thunderbolts*, an extensive marketing initiative is underway. This includes sharing set photographs and exclusive behind-the-scenes clips, featuring standout moments such as actress Florence Pugh excitedly shouting “Tom Cruise!”
With just two weeks remaining until Thunderbolts* hits theaters worldwide, excitement is mounting. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film has been dubbed “Marvel’s Suicide Squad” by fans due to its thematic similarities, including a team of Marvel anti-heroes and reformed villains. The ensemble stars Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier), and David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian), who come together to face Lewis Pullman’s character, The Void/Sentry. This film will be the second of the three significant MCU releases in 2025.
A recently unveiled two-minute behind-the-scenes featurette on YouTube highlights the film’s commitment to practical stunts and impressive set designs. One notable scenes takes place on top of Merdeka 118, the world’s second-tallest building located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Pugh is seen preparing for a high-altitude filming sequence. Initially, Disney’s health and safety team expressed reservations, but Pugh’s confidence in the stunt helped alleviate their concerns.
Disney Health and Safety just said no…that’s a very reasonable thing to say. It’s not a zero-risk thing to attempt. And it’s only because she believed in it so much. She took it upon herself to elevate it, because she trusts our amazing team.
Link to Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3dvh7PdCHk
The Reality of Stunts in Hollywood
The Perils of the Art Form
The apprehension surrounding Pugh’s stunt at such heights is understandable, especially considering the history of dangerous accidents within the comic book film genre. Notably, on August 14, 2017, stuntwoman Sequana Joi Harris tragically lost her life following a motorcycle accident during the filming of Deadpool 2. This incident occurred just two months after the death of stuntman John Bernecker, who sustained fatal injuries from a fall exceeding 20 feet while working on The Walking Dead.
Despite the risk, many celebrate stunt work as a form of high art, inspired by the daring feats of legends like Jackie Chan and Tom Cruise. Some of Cruise’s most memorable stunts include daring free-falls from a 4,000-foot cliff in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, a High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) jump from 25,000 feet in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, and his iconic climb of the Burj Khalifa for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Additionally, even Gal Gadot performed challenging horseback stunts while pregnant during filming for Wonder Woman.
Choosing to incorporate authentic stunts in Thunderbolts* diverges from the MCU’s established preference for green screen technology, which has often drawn criticism from audiences. This decision may serve as a direct response to critics in the wake of Avengers: Endgame, signifying a serious commitment to delivering a quality product. Early test screenings for Thunderbolts* indicate promise, suggesting it could outperform Captain America: Brave New World at the box office, which may create additional pressure for the impending Avengers: Doomsday.
Thunderbolts* is set to launch in theaters on May 2.
Source: Marvel Studios/YouTube