THUNDERBOLTS* Director Explains Why The Movie ISN'T A Sequel To BLACK WIDOW Despite Sharing Same Characters

THUNDERBOLTS* Director Explains Why The Movie ISN'T A Sequel To BLACK WIDOW Despite Sharing Same Characters

Despite theories that Thunderbolts* is Black Widow 2 in all but its title, filmmaker Jake Schreier has claimed otherwise, explaining that while it continues certain plot threads, it's still its own thing.

By JoshWilding - Apr 23, 2025 06:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Thunderbolts
Source: SFX

When the cast of Thunderbolts* was revealed, it immediately became clear that the movie would feature a lot of characters from Black Widow and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier

Since then, the prevailing theory has been that this is a sequel to both projects (but primarily Black Widow with Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and to a lesser extent, Taskmaster, all put front and centre).

Talking to SFX, Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier insisted that his movie isn't Black Widow 2, despite it continuing the stories of the characters mentioned above. 

"Without giving away too much, a lot of what David [Harbour] and Florence [Pugh] are working with as material in this movie relates to that past relationship," the filmmaker shared.

"And there's resonance to that, so I think it's important to everyone to preserve that legacy of something that emotionally meant so much to people," Schreier continued, "and make sure that we refer to that in the right way, and we protect it and make sure that it means something."

"I think we're pulling from all of their histories and then trying to tell something new. I don't think that it feels like a Black Widow sequel. I think it feels like it's a sampling of people from different parts [of this universe]," he explained. "It's definitely a part of our story but it's not the driving force that leads into this film."

While Thunderbolts* isn't the movie some fans wanted, this sort of connectivity with previous projects is exactly what many have been crying out for in a Saga where most stories have felt very separate from each other. 

Looking to the future, it seems the plan is to establish these characters as a new team of Avengers, making them a pivotal part of what comes next as we head into Doomsday and Secret Wars. The first social media reactions for the movie have been glowing, though it will be interesting to see how the full reviews compare. 

You can check out a new TV spot for Thunderbolts* below. 

In Thunderbolts*, Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes - Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.

Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?

The cast of Thunderbolts* will be led by Florence Pugh as Yelena Boleva, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and Lewis Pullman as "Bob."

Written by Eric Pearson, Lee Sung Jin, and Joanna Calo, and directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* is currently set to be released in theaters on May 2, 2025.

THUNDERBOLTS* Director Reveals A Scrapped Post-Credits Scene Revealed The Fate Of [SPOILER]
Related:

THUNDERBOLTS* Director Reveals A Scrapped Post-Credits Scene Revealed The Fate Of [SPOILER]

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Rumored To Introduce Dark Female Character With A Japanese-Inspired Look
Recommended For You:

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Rumored To Introduce "Dark Female Character" With A Japanese-Inspired Look

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

DannyBrandy20
DannyBrandy20 - 4/23/2025, 6:40 AM
Incoming whiny comments from James Gunn preacher and MAGA supporter
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 4/23/2025, 7:16 AM
@GodHercules20 - there's like 4 possible users you could be referring to 😅😩
Latverian
Latverian - 4/23/2025, 9:25 AM
@JurassicClunge - Sadly, that's an incredibly low estimate.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 9:49 AM
@Latverian -

There are dozens of us.

Billions of us throughout the world.

Let's hear whining from the Marxists for now.
Latverian
Latverian - 4/23/2025, 9:52 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea - You are an obnoxiously loud collective of nothingness.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 9:58 AM
@Latverian -

You wish we were nothingness.

Nothingness doesn't give President Trump a landslide victory.

Nothingness doesn't do all the great things accomplished in 2025.
Latverian
Latverian - 4/23/2025, 10:04 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea -

You are nothingness incarnate. Much like the antagonist of this movie, you are Void. Devoid of any logic or reason, all you are is your reaction. That is why you embody your vote as your entire identity, beacuse that is what you are; your neeed for attention.

You provide nothing, you produce nothing, you create nothing, you accomplish nothing, and yet you demand to be acknowledged as something.

You never have been, nor will you ever be, because what you do and what you are, is nothing.

Even your victory is one you can never enjoy, because you will always be treated as what you are: nothing.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 10:09 AM
@Latverian -

Conservatives use more logic and reasoning than short sighted, tunnel vision liberals do.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 10:14 AM
@Latverian -

Oh.

Oh no.

No no no no no!

I left my Easter eggs on the counter overnight?!

Oh hey, night attempt at gaslighting. 🙂

I provide, produce, create, and accomplish all kinds of things, and so do you, and everyone else on Comic Book Movie.
Latverian
Latverian - 4/23/2025, 10:14 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea -

You say that you do, and yet here you still are, begging for acknowledgment and recognition, neither of which you will ever receive.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 10:17 AM
@Latverian -

I'm not treated as nothing.

I rarely talk politics.

Lots of people assume I'm a liberal.

I enjoy the victory of conservatives making America greater.

When violent criminals are flown to Latin America, some men, women, and children in America will get to enjoy life longer.
Latverian
Latverian - 4/23/2025, 10:19 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea -

Incredible. Somehow you managed to stoop even lower, quite literally becoming less than nothing with every lie you just spewed.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 10:22 AM
@Latverian -

I have been acknowledged and recognized, and will be again several times.

Can you imagine if Heels Up Harris had won?

Thankfully President Trump won. Remember, remember, the fifth of November.
UncleHarm1
UncleHarm1 - 4/23/2025, 10:23 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea - Oh no, criminals! What if someone with 34 felonies tries to become president!?
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 10:24 AM
@Latverian -

We both know you believe me.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 10:26 AM
@UncleHarm1 -

The ends justify the means.

Better a felon make the world safer and greater, than a non convicted criminal make the world more violent and dreadful.
Latverian
Latverian - 4/23/2025, 10:33 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea -

You are not recognized. You are not acknowledged. You are seen as an obstruction, a literal object to be removed. You are treated as the nuisance that you are for the nonsense that you spew.

That is all you ever will do. That is all you ever will be.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 10:34 AM
@Latverian -

?si=wkybxsWXsCrcGjfc

?si=FBUoKJDt9NuaS2ej
Latverian
Latverian - 4/23/2025, 10:37 AM
@MakeAmericaGrea -

User Comment Image
Patient2670
Patient2670 - 4/23/2025, 12:50 PM
@MakeAmericaGrea - See, that's the problem, right there. "The ends Justify the means." Dangerous logic, my friend. But it explains a lot about you. How we accomplish things is every bit as important as what is accomplished. You're right about one thing though, people do in fact acknowledge and recognize you on here, but it's for all the wrong reasons. But you go ahead and do your thing. I would speculate you've adopted this persona because you lack any actual personal connections in the real world, so by stirring this particular pot, at least people will interact with you. I sincerely hope it gives you what you seem to so desperately crave.
UncleHarm1
UncleHarm1 - 4/23/2025, 1:24 PM
@MakeAmericaGrea - My little sister who is Mexican is being bullied in school by racist kids telling her she'll be deported. She was born here, my stepmom was born here, but in Trump's America you are not American if you aren't white.

Tell me how he's making the world less violent and dreadful?

Also way to be a hypocrite lol. Trump's grandfather was an immigrant, just like my sister. Trump is a criminal, my sister is not. He should go back to Germany I hear there's a guy with a famous mustache there that Trump would get along famously with.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 3:25 PM
@UncleHarm1 -

Adolf Hitler is dead, how would Adolf and President Trump get along?

I feel sorry for your sister.

I feel more sorry for people who are physically hurt and murdered by violent criminals.

If your family members are legal citizens, nice.

I'm such a nothingness dozens of people here come after me.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 3:28 PM
@Latverian -

The Critical Drinker, Nerdrotic, and Ryan Kinel are good guys.

And necessary.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 3:29 PM
@Patient2670 -

I have personal connections.

It is okay for bad people to do bad things to accomplish good results.

It is better than no one doing anything, and allowing evil to flourish.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 3:40 PM
@UncleHarm1 -

How many non White kids bully and threaten White kids?

I'm sorry for your sister, and that isn't right.

Racism goes in more than one direction.

President Trump is having violent criminals hiding, running, being arrested, being deported, and being taken off the streets.

Those are some ways he is making America and the world safer.
Latverian
Latverian - 4/23/2025, 3:54 PM
@MakeAmericaGrea - Your praise for them only serves to further prove what a disease they are, as are you.
Patient2670
Patient2670 - 4/23/2025, 4:12 PM
@MakeAmericaGrea - So, by your logic, cheating is fine as long as you win. Robbing a bank is no big deal if it allows you to make your car payment? Like I said, you do you. I don't know you, nor would I have any interest in knowing you. Just make sure you leave your manifesto where people can find it when you go out into the world to do your "Bad things to accomplish good results." Moral compromise will always taint achievement.
UncleHarm1
UncleHarm1 - 4/23/2025, 7:07 PM
@MakeAmericaGrea - Violent criminals... ask E. Jean Carroll which one she'd like to see booted from the country.
TK420
TK420 - 4/23/2025, 6:47 AM
It's a sequel same as Quantum of Solace is a Casino Royale sequel.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 9:56 AM
@TK420 -

Or as Son in Law and In the Army Now are sequels to Encino Man.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 4/23/2025, 7:09 AM
If Thunderbolts is considered to be Black Widow 2 in all but name to people then it should technically be also considered a sequel to Falcon & The Winter Soldier aswell as Ant Man & The Wasp…

Schreier is right in that it’s a movie that takes various characters from parts of the MCU and utilizes their histories with each other or individually to tell a new story which isn’t entirely a sequel but moreso just the next chapter in their respective journeys.

User Comment Image

Anyway looking forward to this , the movie seems good and the positive reactions so far have me giddy!!.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 4/23/2025, 7:17 AM
@TheVisionary25 - yeah, it's as much a sequel to Black Widow as Avengers was a sequel to Iron Man 2. Do feel it's a phase too late though
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 4/23/2025, 8:09 AM
@bkmeijer1 - yep

Perhaps but what matters is it’s here now.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 4/23/2025, 7:46 AM
who cares at this point. it looks great and will be the best MCU movie in 2025. im looking forward to seeing it and where this leads moving into Doomsday and SW
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 10:00 AM
@MotherGooseUPus -

Thunderdolts* being better than Craptain UnAmerican: New World Order and Fantastic Bore: First Stumbles isn't saying much.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 4/23/2025, 10:06 AM
Remember how Disney raceswapped Tinker Bell, Peter Pan, Ariel, and Snow White.

Remember how Disney burned Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Willow to the ground.

Remember all the wokeness in the MCU.

Remember all the flaws of Prey and Alien: Romulus.

Remember how they made Galaxy's Edge devoted to the Rey trilogy, and it has little from the original trilogy.

We need to boycott Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four. And every other Disney movie and show in 2025 and 2026.

We need to cancel our Disney+ memberships.

That is our best chance at getting good entertainment from Disney again.
99OPTIMISTPRIME
99OPTIMISTPRIME - 4/23/2025, 11:23 AM
Did this really need clarification, for some people?🤣 It's a cinematic universe.

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder