MCU Thunderbolts Lineup Revealed at D23: Yelena, Winter Soldier, Ghost, US Soldier, and More

At the D23 Expo 2022 presentation “Studio Showcase, Day 2: Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Fox,” Marvel Cinematic Universe President Kevin Feige unveiled an image that revealed the lineup for the Marvel Studios incarnation of the much-anticipated Thunderbolts team: Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Yelena Belova A.K.A. Black Widow (Florence Pugh), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and Bucky Barnes, A.K.A. the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).

All the characters on the roster have been previously introduced in the MCU, with the Winter Soldier having made the earliest appearance in the MCU’s Phase One in Captain America: The First Avenger. Next, Ghost was introduced in Phase Three’s Ant-Man and the Wasp, whereas both Val and U.S. Agent were introduced in Captain America and the Winter Soldier. The remaining three members of the roster, Yelena, Red Guardian, and Taskmaster, who all come from the MCU’s first female helmed solo feature film Black Widow. Sadly for all the Dancing Daddy Zemo fans who expected Baron Zemo to be the Thunderbolt team leader like he is in Marvel Comics, he won’t be appearing on the MCU incarnation of the team.

The Thunderbolts were first introduced in 1997’s The Incredible Hulk #449 by Peter David, Mike Deodato Jr., Tom Wegrzyn, and Glynis Oliver. However, on the final page of the first issue of the team’s solo series, Thunderbolts (1997) #1 by Kurt Busiek, Mark Bagley, Vince Russell, and Joe Rosas, it was revealed that the apparent superheroes who made up the Thunderbolts were actually a team of super villains called the Masters of Evil. This team was led by Helmut Zemo and included Fixer, Beetle, Screaming Mimi, Goliath, and Moonstone in disguise.

Related: MCU: Who Exactly Are the Thunderbolts?

Will the Thunderbolts Be Good or Evil?

Over the intervening years, many familiar Marvel Comics heroes have joined the Thunderbolts roster, and the team has at times skewed more heroic than villainous. Other characters on the roster in the panels of Marvel Comics include the Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, Nighthawk, and Luke Cage. At other times, the Thunderbolts have played a more villainous role. More infamous members who have been included on the roster include Doctor Octopus, the Wrecker, Bullseye, and Taskmaster.

Whether the Thunderbolts team introduced in the MCU will prove to be more villainous or heroic remains to be seen. While the team’s lineup was announced during D23, the movie is scheduled to be the final entry in the MCU’s fifth phase, with a scheduled release date of July 26th, 2024. Currently, Jake Schreier is attached to direct a screenplay written by Eric Pearson.