Florence Pugh Describes Thunderbolts as a “Badass Indie” Assassin Movie with Marvel Heroes

Marvel might be taking a bold new direction with Thunderbolts, and Florence Pugh is here for it. In a recent interview with Empire, Pugh shared her excitement about how different the upcoming film feels from typical Marvel fare, describing it as “this badass indie, A24-feeling assassin movie with Marvel superheroes.” It’s a fresh take that’s got everyone talking.

Directed by Jake Schreier, known for his work on Beef, Thunderbolts brings a unique emotional depth to the Marvel universe. Schreier was encouraged to make the film “something different,” and he’s delivered just that, infusing the movie with a darker, more emotional tone without sacrificing its signature humor. The story follows a group of unlikely antiheroes, including Yelena Belova (Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), and Red Guardian (David Harbour), on a mission for the government.

In the film, Pugh’s character, Yelena, forms an unexpected bond with Bob, played by Lewis Pullman. She teases that Yelena sees parts of herself in Bob, “She has a sweet spot for him... because he’s absolutely useless,” she jokes, adding a layer of humor to the character dynamic.

Pugh’s remarks about the indie-style tone of Thunderbolts come at an interesting time, as indie films are making waves in Hollywood. With Neon’s Anora sweeping the Oscars, including Best Picture, independent cinema is riding high. Thunderbolts, set to hit theaters on May 2, might just be the beginning of a new wave blending superhero action with indie sensibilities.