Jake Schreier, director of Thunderbolts, has come out to deny rumors about the film’s plot and confirm that Yelena Belova will be the main protagonist
Beyond initial expectations
From the announcement of Lightningfan theories have flooded the internet, many based on the original team from the comics. But Schreier made it clear that all is not as it seems. According to his statements to the magazine Empireearly guesses about the focus of the story are not entirely accurate.
“I’ve seen a lot of synopses out there that state, as if they’re fact, that this is a team put together by Valentina to do bad things,” Schreier says. “I understand why that assumption is made, but that’s not the story.”
The director assures him Lightning offers much more than just a team of antiheroes on dubious missions. The film will seek to explore the complex dynamics between characters who, at first glance, have no reason to trust others. Schreier mentions influences from films such as Ronin Yes The hyenashighlighting the potential for conflict and relational development in a group full of differences.
The heart of the film
Although it was already obvious from the progress, Schreier confirms it Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, will be the central axis of the plot. “He finds himself in a particular situation at the beginning of the film,” he explains. “How he finds his way out of that place and who he does it with is at the heart of the story.”
The newly revealed image shows Yelena sharing a funny scene with Red Guardian, played by David Harbour, suggesting a balance between action and humor. Harbour’s character, known for her clumsiness and good heart, promises to be a perfect foil to the calculating assassin that is Yelena.
A team of misfits with potential
The team we will see Lightning it’s a patchwork of characters who have had their dark moments in the MCU. Together with Yelena there will be:
- Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), the Winter Soldier, seeking redemption from his past.
- Red Guardian (David Harbour), the Soviet superhero with more enthusiasm than tact.
- John Walker (Wyatt Russell), the controversial replacement for Captain America.
- Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), whose past still hides secrets.
- Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), a character with unique powers and an uncertain fate.
- Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the mysterious recruiter who connects the threads.
The cast will also feature new faces which, according to rumours, could expand the narrative of this peculiar group of anti-heroes.
What does the asterisk in the title mean?
One intriguing detail that caught fans’ attention is the asterisk in the film’s official title: Lightning. While Marvel Studios hasn’t offered any explanation, rumors suggest that this symbol could be related to a major revelation in the plot. For those who aren’t afraid of spoilers, there are theories circulating online that may shed some light.
The film promises an irreverent approach, presenting characters full of flaws, but with the potential to surprise both fans and detractors. Lightning will stray from the typical superhero formula*, exploring themes such as trust, regret and the possibility of redemption in a group that seems destined for failure.
With a production team led by the direction of Kevin Feige and Jake Schreier, Marvel Studios seeks to deliver a unique experience that combines action, drama and humor. Additionally, the inclusion of executives like Scarlett Johansson as an executive producer adds an extra layer of quality and anticipation to this project.
Release date
Lightning will be released in theaters in the United States on May 2, 2025. While waiting for further developments, the recent interview and the new frame have increased interest in this promising installment of the MCU.