Florence Pugh describes Marvel’s thunderbolts as a 'badass' 'Indie-Style Assassin Film'

Florence Pugh is offering fans a fresh perspective on 'Thunderbolts,' the highly anticipated Marvel film set to release on May 2. In a recent interview with Empire, Pugh described the project as something different from the usual superhero blockbuster. “It feels like a badass, A24-style assassin movie—except with Marvel’s antiheroes,” she explained.
The film, directed by Beef creator Jake Schreier, aims to bring a new tone to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Schreier shared that he was encouraged to take a unique approach. “There’s a certain Beef-like quality to it,” he said, referencing his hit Netflix series. “It has emotional weight, but it doesn’t lose its comedic elements.”
The story follows a group of unconventional antiheroes recruited for a government mission. The lineup includes Pugh’s Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) and John Walker (Wyatt Russell). Newcomer Bob, played by Lewis Pullman, will also play a role in the team. Pugh teased Yelena’s relationship with Bob, saying, “She sees parts of herself in him. She’s always been someone who looks out for others. Bob, though? He’s completely useless. That’s why she keeps an eye on him.”
Marvel has been known for its big-budget, effects-heavy films, but 'Thunderbolts' might take a different route. Pugh’s comments come at a time when indie cinema is gaining more recognition, particularly after Anora dominated this year’s Academy Awards. Its director Sean Baker recently called for more support for independent filmmakers, emphasizing in his Hollywood Reporter interview that the current financial model is “unsustainable.”
While 'Thunderbolts' is still a Marvel project at heart, Pugh and Schreier’s remarks suggest it will bring a fresh and unexpected perspective to the superhero genre. Produced by Kevin Feige and executive-produced by Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek and Jason Tamez, the film is set to hit theaters on May 2.