In a blow to Marvel Studios and fans alike, the ongoing writers strike has led to yet another setback in the production schedule. Following the recent decision to pause production on Blade, Marvel has now opted to delay filming for their highly anticipated project, Thunderbolts, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. The studio’s hope is to resume production once the strike is resolved, but for now, fans will have to wait for their dose of Marvel’s shadier characters.
Thunderbolts, directed by Jake Schreier, centers around a team of Marvel’s morally ambiguous characters. The star-studded cast includes Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The feature also features breakout talent Ayo Edebiri from the series “Beef” and Oscar nominee Steven Yeun.
The decision to delay Thunderbolts, along with the suspension of production on the TV series Wonder Man, comes as a direct result of the ongoing writers strike, which has been causing disruptions in the entertainment industry. The strike, which began at the start of the month, has affected several high-profile projects, with Marvel Studios being the latest casualty.
Notably, Thunderbolts had undergone revisions by writer Lee Sung Jin, known for creating the popular series “Beef,” based on an earlier draft by Black Widow writer Eric Pearson. The collaboration aimed to bring a fresh perspective to the story, but unfortunately, the strike has halted their progress.
While fans eagerly await the resolution of the writers strike and the resumption of production on Thunderbolts, Marvel Studios remains focused on other ongoing projects. Captain America: New World Order is still in production, and a third Deadpool movie has recently commenced filming in London, providing some consolation to fans hungry for Marvel content.
As the strike persists, it remains uncertain when Thunderbolts will finally hit the screens, but Marvel’s track record suggests that they will deliver an exceptional film once the production hurdles are overcome. Until then, fans will have to exercise patience as they eagerly anticipate the day when Thunderbolts, with its intriguing lineup of characters, finally assembles on the big screen.