Thunderbolts cast: Everything there is to know about the stars of Marvel's next blockbuster

Marvel's upcoming film Thunderbolts* will see a number of characters kept on the side lines come back into the spotlight.

Florence Pugh returns to lead the unusual assembly of antiheroes along with some Marvel veterans like Sebastian Stan as well as newer faces.

While most of the plot is under wraps, the synopsis states that a group of villains are recruited for a mission on behalf of the government.

It could be a bold new direction for the MCU with the film promising 'be careful who you assemble'.

But who are the characters in Thunderbolts*? And when did we last see them in the MCU? Here's everything you need to know.

Yelena Belova / Black Widow

Played by: Florence Pugh

Last seen in the MCU: Hawkeye (Disney+ series)

The adoptive sister of Natasha Romanoff and a fellow operative from the Red Room, Yelena was introduced in Black Widow where she reunited with Scarlett Johansson's character.

Together they brought down General Dreykov and Yelena took on the responsibility of freeing other Black Widows from their brainwashing.

She was one of the characters who vanished during the Blip, and upon her return, she featured in the Hawkeye Disney+ series on a mission to take down Clint Barton, who she blamed for her sister's death.

Where she headed after that, fans will find out in Thunderbolts* but the first trailer suggests she is leading a mercenary's life.

Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian

Played by: David Harbour

Last seen in the MCU: Black Widow

The Soviet Union's answer to Captain America, Red Guardian made his MCU debut in Black Widow.

At one point posing as the father of Yelena and Natasha while spying for the Soviet Union, he finds himself locked up for criticising the government.

However, he is broken out to help track down the leader of the Red Room. He helps them but Thunderbolts* will see Alexei struggle with leading a normal life outside his Red Guardian costume.

Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier

Played by: Sebastian Stan

Last seen in the MCU: Falcon and the Winter Soldier

A WWII veteran and best friend of Steve Rogers, Bucky made his first MCU appearance in Captain America The First Avenger.

Comic book fans knew that when Bucky was seen plummeting to his apparent death, his story was far from over.

Captured, injected with a super soldier serum and brainwashed by HYDRA, Bucky would become The Winter Soldier in the Captain America sequel.

Rogers eventually reunites with his friend after a few fights and Bucky is taken to Wakanda to remove his brainwashing following the events of Black Panther.

He was part of the Avengers for Infinity War and but his most recent appearance was in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier series on Disney+, where he teams up with Sam Wilson to take on The Flag Smashers.

John Walker / U.S. Agent

Played by: Wyatt Russell

Last seen in MCU: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier

John Walker was a captain in the US Army and chosen to replace Steve Rogers as the new Captain America.

However, after taking the super solider serum in the field, he kills a surrendering foreign national in revenge over a death of a friend.

He is stripped of his role and discharged with a loss of rank. Thunderbolts* will see John recruited as the U.S. Agent.

Antonia Derykov / Taskmaster

Played by: Olga Kurylenko

Last seen in MCU: Black Widow

The MCU's version of Taskmaster differs slightly from the comic book version. Introduced in Black Widow, this Taskmaster is revealed to be the daughter of General Derykov, the leader of the Red Room.

Antonia has uncanny photographic reflexes that allow her to mimic the fighting techniques of other individuals including members of the Avengers.

However, she had her mind and body controlled by a chip. She is freed once Natasha kills the General and takes down the Red Room.

It seems since then she has become a close ally of the new Black Widow, Yelena.

Ava Starr / Ghost

Played by: Hannah John-Kamen

Last seen in the MCU: Ant Man and The Wasp

Introduced in Ant Man and the Wasp, Ava gained her powers following a quantum accident that killed her parents and became known as Ghost. With a specially designed suit she is able to phase through matter.

Dying to a lack of quantum energy she sought out Hank Pym, the original Ant Man, in order to use a device he had created to cure herself which pitted her against Paul Rudd's Scott Lang.

Janet van Dyne was able to help stabilise Ghost's condition once freed from the quantum realm and she went into hiding.

Robert Reynolds / Sentry

Played by: Lewis Pullman

Last seen in the MCU: Debuting in Thunderbolts*

Making his debut in Thunderbolts*, Robert Reynolds is seen introducing himself as 'Bob' in the trailer for the film.

It is believed he will turn out to be Sentry, however, though which origin for the character the film will be adapting is yet to be seen.

However, like many characters in Thunderbolts* his powers usually derive from the super soldier serum and in some stories he forgets about his super-powered alter ego.

Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine

Played by: Julia Louis Dreyfus

Last seen in the MCU: Black Panther Wakanda Forever

Fontaine is a mysterious character who is yet to truly reveal their intentions aside from recruiting super powered individuals.

She is also the Director of the CIA and ex-wife of Martin Freeman's character Everett Ross.

First appearing in a post-credits scene for Black Widow, it is Fontaine who tells Yelena that Clint was responsible for her sister's death.

She also recruits John Walker after his discharge and it is suggested she could be the one assembling the Thunderbolts team.

Thunderbolts* releases in UK cinemas on Friday, May 2 2025.