Thunderbolts*release is fast approaching, and it’s promising to switch up the Marvel formula in a welcome stylistic and tonal shift audiences haven’t seen sinceGuardians of the Galaxy.
It’s difficult to remember a time pre-Guardianswhen the MCU was nowhere near as cosmic, universal, or multiversal oriented. Except for Asgard’s shifting politics,Phases 1-2 were still relatively grounded on Earth. But ever since James Gunn’s hit blasted Marvel into space successfully in 2014, the franchise has never looked back. More and more, its stories took on stranger, more fantastical elements. Phases 4 and 5 have tried relentlessly to stretch their viewers' attention beyond the bounds of Earth 616’s universe, but have done relatively little other than stagnate Marvel’s formula. However, all of that may be about to change.Thunderbolts*‘snovelty doesn’t just lie in its fresh stylistic look. It may also be about altering something fundamental to Marvel’s core, an aspect that has remained untouched all these years.
The MCU’s Trademark Humor
The MCU has long relied on a witty form of humor or banter that has tonally tied together all of its films. When audiences are sitting down to watch a Marvel film, regardless of how novel or unique it may be, that quipping, sharp comedy is guaranteed to appear throughout. Its progenitor wasRobert Downey Jr.’s signature comedic flair inIron Man,but it was director Joss Whedon that solidified this kind of character interaction as a staple of Marvel filmmaking inThe Avengers.
Whedon had previously worked on US television, heading shows likeBuffy the Vampire Slayer,where these sitcom-esque character dynamics are prevalent. Its quickly likable and safe approach has suited Disney’s overall vision to create the broadest possible audience for its films.
Marvel Is Going For A Darker Tone In Its Films & It’s About Time
Marvel’s darker streak was usually confined to its Netflix outings in the 2010s.Directors and writers inThe Defenders’universehad more creative freedom to push the Marvel envelope into more daring places, while the films have always had to keep to the strict creative vision set out by studio head Kevin Feige.Thunderbolts*, in the majority of its marketing, is signaling to viewers that this new superhero team will be treading a more serious path. That’s not to say that Whedon’s trademark witty remarks will be completely absent from the story; it is still an action-adventure film with comedic elements. Characters like Red Guardian and U.S. Agent can be seen going back and forth in the trailer like it’s a buddy-cop road movie.
But there’s a much greater focus on its main characters’ flaws. This cast of rogues are all anti-heroes, who have fallen from grace at one point or another. Featured prominently in the trailer is U.S. Agent holding a phone with a new article headlined: “Fallof a Hero: The John Walker Story.” The film’s whole line-up ofThunderbolts*are a series of messy, gritty, and regret-filled super-powered individuals that feel lost in a changing world. The jokes aren’t as ready to hand because, as the footage suggests, they’re all grappling with significant trauma from their past.
Yelena, the clear protagonist of the film, loudly proclaims “We can’t do this. No one here is a hero.” The ominous new antagonist, Sentry, in his Void form, mocks them: “You thought you were gonna be some great saviors. You can’t even save yourselves.” He appears to encapsulate the message of the film, and the very thing these murky warriors need to overcome; they’re here to avenge themselves, as much as they are to avenge the world.
Thunderbolts*won’t be as devoid of color or campy elements as something like DC’s Synderverse, but perhaps it will usher in a new MCU that isn’t afraid of staying more in touch with its darker half. This is a story rooted in redemption for a litany of morally ambiguous figures. If they are going to become the new frontmen for the MCU, it’s going to change how audiences view the Marvel brand as a whole; a franchise that can delve into those unlit places of the human psyche.
In the film’s Absolute Cinema Trailer, it proudly listed thehuge number of veteran A24 writers, directors, cinematographers, editors, and composers that have worked onThunderbolts*, all cut to the music and style of an indie film project. Kevin Feige clearly wants to make a point here: thatThunderbolts*will be a fresh, new take on the Marvel formula, and proof that the franchise isn’t running out of creative steam any time soon.
