It isn't long now until Marvel's Thunderbolts* makes its way to movie theaters. The next installment from Marvel Studios' juggernaut Marvel Cinematic Universe will unite some of the franchise's most recognizable supporting characters in a project that will finally place some long overdue spotlight on them. And from what we can tell, it's shaping up to be a whole lot of fun.
The star-studded cast features MCU regulars Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan, alongside some of the more intriguing recent additions to the franchise, including the characters played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Olga Kurylenko - all of whom have at least one relatively recent MCU appearance to their name. They are also joined by Lewis Pullman, who is set to play Bob, a.k.a. Sentry / The Void.
There is a lot of intrigue surrounding the upcoming release, and something that makes it even more intriguing is its unusual source of inspiration.
Thunderbolts* is inspired by Toy Story 3
Thunderbolts* will draw inspiration from a multitude of films according to director Jake Schreier, which honestly makes sense when you consider the amount of personalities in a film that looks to settle somewhere between superhero, action, and comedy in terms of genre. In a new interview with Empire Magazine, the director reveals that the film will be influenced by the likes of Reservoir Dogs, Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol and Ronin. But it also has a more unlikely influence: Toy Story 3.
It's an unexpected inspiration, but Schreier explains it well, revealing that the reference comes more from the team's unlikely dynamic, and how they will be thrown together in a bid to get out of the metaphorical fire, mentioning the furnace scene in Toy Story 3, in which the toys are "facing obsolescence".
"That [furnace] sequence works so well because you’ve come to care about these characters so much... Can they get out of the trash can together?"
When you think about it, it's actually a genius reference point, as the characters in Thunderbolts* are in a pretty similar situation. Fans have likened them to Marvel's version of DC's Suicide Squad: Supporting characters in the spotlight of more famous heroes and always on the verge of being considered expendable. Much like the toys in Toy Story 3 must work together to survive - and thereby remain relevant - these antiheroes must prove that they are capable of doing the good that the MCU's Avengers can do, all while proving that they deserve to be seen, too.
The film seemingly sees Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine concoct a plot to eradicate the antiheroes she had been working with, but it ultimately backfires and leads to them joining forces against her. The cast-out team of exiles will seek to prove their worth, saving the world from a dark power that threatens it when Bob's evil alter-ego, The Void, makes his presence felt on New York City.
You see how the Toy Story 3 metaphor actually works? The Thunderbolts may not be the Avengers, but they will fight, scratch, and claw every bit as hard as Marvel's Mightiest Heroes to showcase their own potential, stepping into the spotlight as a new brand of heroes that will do one thing better than anyone else: Survive.
Thunderbolts* arrives in movie theaters on May 2, 2025.