Members of the Thunderbolts* in a gray room with large windows behind them. From left to right: Ava Starr (Ghost), Antonia Dreykov (Taskmaster), John Walker (U.S. Agent), Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier), Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian), and Yelena Belova.

Meet the Characters of Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*

By Cassandra Pinkney

There are good guys. There are bad guys. And then, there are the Thunderbolts. Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* follows the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s least anticipated band of misfits as they team up against an enemy unlike any the world has ever seen (and that’s saying something). The film features a star-studded cast of some of the MCU’s fan favorites, as well as introducing—and reintroducing—characters that audiences will definitely love. Here’s a rundown of who’s who in Thunderbolts*.

Yelena Belova in a black Super Hero suit, with yellow text that reads “This is a Thunderbolt*”

Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh)

Yelena Belova is no fan of posers (which might be a problem for the Thunderbolts). After her mind control was broken by a former Black Widow, she and her sister, Natasha Romanoff, destroyed General Dreykov’s Red Room Academy. Belova made it her life’s mission to free all the other Black Widows, a mission which got interrupted after she disappeared for five years during the Blip. She learned from Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (remember that name) that Romanoff died because of Clint Barton, and Belova’s new mission was to hunt him down. However, she had a last-minute change of heart and decided not to complete her mission. Belova now finds herself drifting aimlessly through the world until a new enemy gives her a purpose.

Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier) looking up while wearing a black shirt, with yellow text that reads “This is a Thunderbolt*”Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)

James “Bucky” Barnes has been a hero, a villain, and everything in between throughout his (deceptively long) life. Beginning his journey as Steve Rogers’ right-hand man, he was presumed dead after falling to his death while on a mission with the Howling Commandos. It was only when he resurfaced decades later as the Winter Soldier that Rogers realized that history’s most infamous assassin was his best friend all along. Breaking free from HYDRA’s brainwashing was Barnes’ first step on a long road to redemption, evident by the plethora of therapy sessions and political campaign stops that litter his path. Despite his efforts, his past always seemed to catch up with him, cementing his antihero status and securing him a spot on the Thunderbolts.

John Walker (U.S. Agent) in his Super Hero outfit, with yellow text that reads “This is a Thunderbolt*”

John Walker (Wyatt Russell)

John Walker was the quintessential All-American man. The high school football team captain turned three-time Medal of Honor recipient seemed like the perfect successor capable of taking on the Captain America mantle from Steve Rogers. But Walker’s stint in red, white and blue was short-lived. After the death of his partner Lemar Hoskins sent him into a blind rage, he was stripped of his title. Feeling disposed of by the government he devoted his life to, Walker decided he would do anything to feel like a hero again.  (What else was he supposed to do with the Super Soldier Serum he took?) With a little help from Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (keep remembering that name), he rebranded himself as U.S. Agent, a “hero” for a post-Blip world and is a much needed tolerated member of the Thunderbolts.

Antonia Dreykov (Taskmaster) in her Super Hero outfit, with yellow text that reads “This is a Thunderbolt*”

Antonia Dreykov, Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko)

Antonia Dreykov had a normal childhood, unlike the Black Widows her father trained as leader of the Red Room Academy. That all changed when she and her father survived an attempt on his life. General Dreykov implanted a chip into his daughter’s neck to control her emotions and trained her in the Red Room to become a ruthless Black Widow. Her talent for mimicking the fighting style of her enemy made her the head of the Black Widows and earned her the moniker Taskmaster. She broke free of her father’s control after Natasha Romanoff used Red Dust on her, allowing her to join a group of other freed Black Widows. There’s no telling what Dreykov’s path to redemption holds.

Bob from Thunderbolts* (2025) standing in a gray room with lights behind him and papers and boxes strewn over the floor. He is wearing a light bluish-gray inmate uniform and holding his hands up in a halting gesture.

Robert Reynolds, ****** (Lewis Pullman)

Robert Reynolds is a man known by many names, including ******, Bob, and perhaps most importantly, *** ****. After a life of ******** and ********, he became incredibly ****** ***** ****** * *****. Bob’s involvement with the Thunderbolts is characterized by his ********* *****, which ultimately leads to **** ** ********. How will he ******* ********* **** *******? That’s between him and the Thunderbolts.

Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian) in his red Super Hero outfit, with yellow text that reads “This is a Thunderbolt*”

Alexei Shostakov, Red Guardian (David Harbour)

There are many rocky relationships between members of the Thunderbolts, but only one father-daughter duo in the form of Alexei Shostakov and Yelena Belova. Red Guardian was the Soviet Union’s first and only super soldier, a fact Shostakov will never let anyone forget. He often regaled his unwilling audiences with tales from his glory days (and he never let the truth get in the way of a good story). After helping his daughters free the Black Widows, Shostakov’s days are now spent “protecting you from boring evening” at Red Guardian Limo Service.

Ava Starr (Ghost) in a dark Super Hero suit, with yellow text that reads “This is a Thunderbolt*”

Ava Starr, Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen)

Following a quantum accident in her childhood, Ava Starr spent her life phasing between physical and intangible states. S.H.I.E.L.D. took an interest in her powers and trained her to become a ruthless stealth operative. Her abilities, though useful to some, cause Starr a great deal of pain. She tried to extract energy from the Quantum Realm to control her condition but was instead given a special suit to stabilize her pain to save Janet van Dyne, who was stuck in the Quantum Realm and needed that energy to survive. Still stuck phasing between the physical and the intangible, Starr must now use her powers to help the Thunderbolts.

Valentina Allegra De Fontaine wearing a dark suit and holding a glass of champagne while talking to Yelena Belova.

Valentina Allegra De Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus)

CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine likes having powerful people on her side and will use whatever means necessary to get them there (told you she would be important). As noted earlier, she convinced John Walker to become U.S. Agent after the hearing which stripped him of his Captain America title and assigned Yelena Belova to track down Clint Barton when she visited her sister’s grave. She also wanted to get her hands on Wakanda’s vibranium supply and used her ex-husband Everett Ross to help her do so. De Fontaine does not believe that there are “good” and “bad” people, but that there are “bad” and “worse” people (how cheerful).

Well, that’s our roundup of the Thunderbolts, the MCU’s least expected Super antihero group. See them in action in Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*, only in theaters May 2.