Movies

Thunderbolts’ Surprising Non-MCU Ending Explained: Writer Reveals Twist and Hug Finale

BBG News

Warning: SPOILERS for Thunderbolts*.

In many ways, the 36th film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, titled “Thunderbolts*“, seems to mark a new beginning for Marvel Studios. This film, with its character-driven drama and an ensemble of unconventional antiheroes, exudes a distinctly independent vibe that intensifies the emotional depth usually found in fewer instances within the MCU. Despite this indie feel, director Jake Schreier successfully integrates the movie into the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s continuity through a pivotal post-credits scene and an unexpected revelation at the last moment, where the Thunderbolts are unveiled as the New Avengers in disguise.

Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo were the ones who laid the groundwork for Schreier’s Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) entry, Thunderbolts, which happens to be Calo’s first Marvel film. However, Calo is no newcomer to the world of television production, having worked on hit shows like Hacks, BoJack Horseman, The Bear, and Beef. Meanwhile, Pearson, a seasoned studio writer, has previously penned Thor: Ragnarok, Black Widow, and ABC’s Agent Carter, and is also associated with the troubled Blade movie in the MCU.

Joe Deckelmeier from ScreenRant had an open conversation with Eric Pearson regarding the numerous developments that led to the creation of Thunderbolts on screen. Pearson shared insights about early drafts of the movie, shedding light on the significant transformations it underwent from its inception to the finished product. Additionally, he clarified how the Thunderbolts evolved into the New Avengers, and much more was discussed during their talk.

Thunderbolts* Had A Very Different Original Structure

“It Was Set Up A Little Bit More Like A Team Building Weekend”

Initial versions of “Thunderbolts” were rumored to share similarities with “Die Hard”, but in an unexpected way. When questioned about this, writer Eric Pearson explained, “We spent a considerable amount of time in Vault Level 5, encountering more hurdles along the way. It was structured somewhat like a corporate team-building weekend, filled with trust exercises and ropes courses. It took longer for them to break free, and they didn’t fully escape until near the end of Act 2.”

Pearson suggested that the feeling should be “more compact, more limited, more rooted.” This is why the writer introduced the term “Die Hard,” a risky move, but as he put it, “we’ll keep it confined, and then our third act will take place somewhere else.

As the project progressed, Pearson noted, “It started feeling like we should aim to complete it around the halfway mark.” Additionally, he mentioned that when Jake joined in, he suggested emphasizing this moment a bit more and adding a few scenes reminiscent of a road trip. At one point, the road trip sequence was excessively long, and some outlandish ideas were thrown into the mix.

According to Pearson, Jake Schreier’s concept of an extended road trip might not have been filmed, but he did mention a scenario where the characters sought shelter at a house. The scene took place the morning after a high school student had hosted a wild party. The protagonist was suffering from a hangover and was somewhat friendly towards them as he was awaiting punishment for damaging his own house. It was during this time that Bucky intercepted them.

Why The MCU Thunderbolts* Lineup Is Different From The Comics

Baron Zemo’s Absence Explained

In the same way that the initial Avengers team in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) didn’t feature Ant-Man, who is a founding member in the comics, the MCU’s Thunderbolts initially left out Baron Helmut Zemo. The original lineup had more villainous characters compared to what moviegoers eventually witnessed on screen. According to Pearson, the idea was to reimagine the concept for the MCU from the very start.

Pearson commented, “I pointed out that they’ve made two Suicide Squad films and a movie like The Dirty Dozen, which has been told many times before.” He added, “We need to switch things up. Despite the changes we made, people still label it as ‘Marvel’s Suicide Squad.’ I wasn’t satisfied with simply creating ‘an authority figure using criminals/villains and forcing them into action via threats of violence.'” As he examined our roster, he thought, “They aren’t villains; they’re failures.

The film drew inspiration from both “Die Hard” and “The Breakfast Club,” as the creator envisioned a setting where all characters would be confined, eventually clashing yet gradually understanding their shared traits and recognizing the mutual aid they could provide one another. This was expressed by Pearson as, “Let’s place them in one location, have them meet under hostile circumstances, and make them reluctantly acknowledge their similarities and the benefits of their camaraderie over time.

In his statement, Pearson acknowledged that Baron Zemo was initially intended to appear in the script at one point. However, he mentioned that an earlier draft of the storyline included a stop at a house where a high school party had just taken place. It’s possible that Zemo’s role in the script would have been as a post-credits scene or tag, where it was suggested that Zemo was manipulating events from his prison cell.

The author went into detail, explaining that there could have existed an alternative scenario where Zemo escaped and disguised himself as someone else – perhaps Valentina’s assistant – while wearing a Black Widow mask. However, he believes these concepts were only developed for a brief period before being abandoned.

In the end, Zemo didn’t align with the storyline the writers were pursuing: “He was crucial for bringing them together, but our concept eliminated that requirement.” Despite Pearson expressing a desire to “find an ingenious method to involve Baron Zemo in this,” the narrative the writers chose to tell centered around Yelena. Additionally, Pearson mentioned that “since we were also introducing Bob, Zemo simply didn’t fit.

Pearson Reflects On Not Getting Man-Thing In The Script

“Now I’m Thinking, ‘Well, Maybe We Could Have”

In an open declaration, Thunderbolts director Jake Schreier expressed his desire to incorporate the character Man-Thing in the 2022 Marvel production Werewolf by Night. However, he acknowledged that they never wrote it into the script as they couldn’t find a way for it to fit coherently. During certain days of discussion, they considered Man-Thing but ultimately decided to concentrate on the existing elements and postponed further discussions about Man-Thing. Unfortunately, there was no version where Man-Thing seemed like a natural fit within the storyline.

Originally, the author expressed that it seemed “Valentina had power over him,” which didn’t seem appropriate at the time. Later on, Pearson conceded, “I now believe there might have been a way,” implying a potential solution. He further explained, “It’s quite amusing, looking back from a distance. At the time, I thought it was unattainable, but now I’m considering, ‘Perhaps we could have found a way.’

Kevin Feige Was Behind Bucky’s Run For Congress

“I Think That Was A Kevin Thing”

In “Captain America: Brave New World,” I made a fleeting appearance, where my character, Bucky Barnes, was introduced as a United States Congressman. When asked about this unexpected role, Pearson commented, “I think that was a Kevin thing.” Interestingly enough, in the initial draft I worked on, Bucky was more of a lobbyist, attending the same scenes but in a somewhat embarrassing way, similar to how you might hire an aging baseball player for promotional events at a car wash.

He was merely a pawn for politicians to promote Avenger-related propaganda, but it seemed like Bucky was struggling,” Pearson commented, further explaining, “However, as he converses with Senator Gary, it becomes clear he’s disguising this conversation to probe into Val, someone he suspects of these activities. I believe the congressman character originated from Kevin, and this decision was made after my input.

How Thunderbolts*’ Emotional Climax Got Sucked Into The Void

Originally, A Different Character Was At The Center Of The Moment

In the climax of “Thunderbolts* “, the team frantically worked to demonstrate to Bob that he is cherished, and that the desolation of The Void doesn’t define his reality or existence. When queried if this was intentionally symbolizing depression, Pearson replied, “It’s difficult to say, as I wasn’t consciously considering the theme at that moment.”

Actually, the author initially intended for John Walker to be the final antagonist. The concept was that part of Val’s deception involved her telling him his serum was wearing off, and she was administering these medications to keep him functioning. In truth, he was a ticking time bomb, much like the Hulk. There was going to be a dramatic moment reminiscent of “the sun is getting real low.” However, Pearson had a different vision, expressing that from the beginning, he wanted their third act fight to end with a hug.

According to Pearson, “The previous attempt was somewhat entertaining, but it fell short and didn’t seem to capture the right tone.” He further explained, “I had already incorporated the Breakfast Club theme, so I thought, ‘I need someone who can’t be defeated in a physical fight, yet they must evoke strong emotional connections.’

Speaking about Sentry, Pearson reimagined him as a battle between noble aspirations and personal pride versus deep-seated self-doubt, melancholy, and isolation.

Where Were New York’s Other Heroes?

Pearson Gives A Reason Why They Didn’t Show Up

Over time, Marvel has significantly boosted the number of superheroes based in New York City, making some fans question why characters like Daredevil, Spider-Man, and others didn’t hurry to the Avengers Tower to aid in battling The Void. On this topic, Pearson remained cryptic, stating, “I’d rather not reveal all I know on that matter yet. I’m still studying the location details, and it’s uncertain whether The Void has reached Bleecker Street. However, I also believe that the events are unfolding at a pace far quicker than we anticipate. Time dilation in this scenario seems to be distinct.

As the movie Thor: Ragnarok puts it, “Things move differently here when it comes to time.” So, when you’re in the Void Space, we can’t be sure of its duration. It might only be a single second.

The New Avengers Were Always The Endgame

No Surprise, It “Was Kevin’s Idea”

Following its premiere, promotional materials for the Thunderbolts have started unveiling a shocking twist: The Thunderbolts are secretly the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s New Avengers. As Pearson explained, “The concept of the New Avengers was Kevin’s brainchild when I presented this project to him initially. It served as the movie’s backbone, and at the end, the scene with Yelena standing behind Valentina always included her saying, ‘You now work for us.’

As far as I can tell, the main alteration Marvel proposed was essentially the most significant one: “I’ve pitched a lot at Marvel and received numerous suggestions. But all Kevin Feige offered was, ‘I believe they should be called the New Avengers. I think she should introduce them as the New Avengers.’ I thought to myself, ‘If this is the only feedback I’m getting from the entire project, it’s a sign that things are going well. Take the deal and leave. This is fantastic.’

I wasn’t aware of the specifics regarding that matter, but it’s not within my responsibilities… it will be someone else’s concern later on.

Interestingly enough, Pearson shared that there was a lengthy debate regarding the use of “Capital N” versus “lowercase n”. The question being, “Are they new Avengers or the New Avengers?” In the end, it seems they opted for using the capitalized version, “the New Avengers.

The Thunderbolts* & Fantastic Four Connection, Explained

Pearson Worked On Both Films

In the additional scene after the credits of “Thunderbolts”, there was an exciting surprise appearance, and it wasn’t just about the Rick Rubin mention from the book (“The Creative Act”) that the character was reading. This tag marked the entry of the Fantastic Four into the main Marvel Cinematic Universe, a scene masterfully directed by the Russo brothers. “I can’t claim responsibility for that one,” Pearson commented.

He added, “I’m quite envious of it as it’s a fantastic label. I think Joanna Calo might have authored that. What appeals to me about it is that Thunderbolts is truly a ‘vibe movie,’ allowing you to immerse yourself in the emotions of these characters, understanding who they are and what their union means – and this tag captures it flawlessly … and hinting right away that they’re not highly regarded. ‘Avengerz’ is amusing.

Check out our other Thunderbolts* interviews:

  • Composers Son Lux
  • Thunderbolts* red carpet
  • Florence Pugh
  • Jake Schreier
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Geraldine Viswanathan
  • Wyatt Russell & David Harbour
  • Lewis Pullman & Hannah John-Kamen

Read More

2025-05-06 01:49

Previous post Shocking Classic Fairy Tales Disney Still Hasn’t Adapted – Prepare to Be Surprised!
Next post Emma Willis Opens Up About Battling Anxiety and Her Psychological Recovery After Heart Surgery