Over ten years after James Gunn talked about making his own version of theMCUmovie, I’m still fascinated by whatThunderboltscould have looked like if helmed by the writer, director, and producer. There are a range of wonderful and sometimes weirdupcoming MCU releaseson the way, with the next impending movies for Phase 5 being that ofCaptain America: Brave New WorldandThunderbolts. Both promise to provide interesting updates for the franchise, with major figures likethe MCU’s Red Hulkand Sentry on the way.
However,Thunderboltsis perhaps even more interesting when the extensive conception of the movie is kept in mind, as it was being talked about by MCU movie creators many years before we ever saw the installment appear on the Marvel release slate. Indeed, it appeared as though Thunderbolts could be on the way in film format many Phases before its actual arrival, with James Gunn advocating for the story and offering his talents to see it be made. However, this isn’t how things have come to pass, though it offers a fascinating look at how differentthe story ofThunderboltsalmost was.
James Gunn Expressed Interest In Making The MCU’s Thunderbolts Movie Years Before It Became Part Of Phase 5
James Gunn talked about his interest in adapting the Thunderbolts for the MCU as far back as 2014. While the creator was more focused on creating a sequel forGuardians Of The Galaxyfollowing the less well-known Marvel team being a success with audiences, hisinterview aboutGuardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2with ScreenRantalso saw him discuss how a Thunderbolts movie was in his hopes for the future - even talking with Kevin Feige about the possibility.
In the interview, Gunn stated, “I will tell you, one time I was saying to Kevin [Feige], we were sitting on set together on one of the days he visited and I said, ‘You know, I really want to make Thunderbolts,’ and he said, ‘James, if Guardians does well you’ll be able to do whatever you want so we’ll see what happens.” Since all three Guardians movies were critical and box office successes, it certainly seems this would have been a viable opportunity.
WhileThunderbolts*doesn’t have James Gunn at the helm, it’s fascinating to see how early the idea of the movie was conceived, and how long the idea was held on the backburner before it came to fruition. Similarly, this glimpse at how different the movie we will see could have been had it happened around this time and with James Gunn directing it makes the timeline from then to now all the more noteworthy.
Why James Gunn Didn’t End Up Making The MCU’s Thunderbolts Movie
While there is no officially given reason for James Gunn not directing or creatingThunderbolts*, the superhero movie landscape offers some pretty solid reasons as to why this didn’t end up being the reality of the project. First and most obviously,Gunn is now co-CEO of DC Studios, and is primarily occupied with the handling of the DC Universe- something that would make being involved inThunderbolts*almost impossible on both a time level and on a logistics level.
Secondly, the concept of the Thunderbolts team - that of a motley crew of supervillains and morally questionable figures banding together to be a government-operated group that oscillates between doing good and terrible deeds - is one thatGunn has already made superhero movie reality with his role directing and writingThe Suicide Squad. The Thunderbolts and Suicide Squad are two groups that have been considered Marvel and DC counterparts for a long time, and as such, it’s unlikely Gunn would have wanted to also makeThunderbolts*, given how much overlap there is between the properties.
It is worth noting that James Gunn’s superhero projects have traditionally followed more obscure comic characters with little prior on-screen history in their respective franchises, allowing him to put his own mark on the figures and decide their dynamics without much in the way of prior lore, with this being seen in theGuardians Of The Galaxytrilogy,The Suicide Squad, andPeacemaker. As it stands, this trend suggests DCU’sSupermanmovie is a preferable project for the creator and his talents overThunderbolts*, asSupermanoffers the opportunity to breathe new life into the Man Of Steel and his DC world.
Why Thunderbolts* Is Still Likely To Mirror What James Gunn’s Version Of The Movie Could Have Looked Like
It’s likely that James Gunn’s original vision for what a Thunderbolts movie could look like in 2014 is very different to the movie we’re about to get in 2025, since many of the main characters inThunderbolts*hadn’t even been so much as teased for the Marvel Cinematic Universe at that point in time, and are indeed largely different to the conventional comic roster for the Marvel team. That said, it still seems some major aspects may remain the same despite these differences.
James Gunn’s superhero projects have largely revolved around unlikely alliances and bonds forming between the more unusual figures in Marvel and DC’s considerable histories, forming the emotional foundations of the story and ensuring audiences find themselves immensely invested in the likes of Polka-Dot Man. While it’s not clear what specific dynamics theThunderbolts*cast will form with one another over the course of the movie,I find it hard to imagine the MCU movie won’t see at least some of the motley group bond with one another, especially given how many characters are at crucial development points of their respective arcs.
Indeed, the specific character choices for the movie - including a range of figures otherwise isolated from those they previously relied on for support - seem intentionally made in order to ensure that an unlikely group of close heroes will be the end result of theThunderboltsstory. Of course, this is assuming that said newfound friends and allies actually survive past the end of the movie, asthe reports of the originalThunderboltsscript where everyone diedsuggest things could still get very much likeThe Suicide Squadin more ways than one, and may well kill off some of theThunderbolts*cast before the MCU installment is done.
Thunderbolts*
Cast
Thunderbolts follows seven disillusioned individuals who find themselves trapped in a perilous situation. Tasked with a daunting mission, they must face the most shadowy aspects of their histories in order to survive and achieve their goals.
