Sebastian Stan opens up about Thunderbolts*; says it can't be compared to "any previous Marvel movie"

Sebastian Stan, a familiar face in the MCU, recently stirred up some excitement with his thoughts on Thunderbolts*, the upcoming Marvel movie set to hit theaters on May 2, 2025. In an interview with Deadline after nabbing a Golden Globe for his role in A Different Man, Stan shared some insights that have fans buzzing.

He said:

“I don’t feel you can compare it to any previous Marvel movie.”

He talked about how special the cast's vibe was and how the movie's focus on using real-life effects makes it stand out. Thunderbolts* is going to be a bit edgy, with characters like Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, and Ghost.

Stan said working on the movie was like a group project where everyone had a say, and the bond between David Harbour, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus set the mood for the whole of Thunderbolts*.

“It’s funny, it’s real, and it has its own vibe,” he added.

Fans can get excited about seeing practical effects make a comeback in this modern superhero movie, which is pretty uncommon these days.

Stan said it himself:

“When you’re watching a truck blow up, it’s a truck blown up. It’s not CGI.”

Thunderbolts*' star-studded cast with chemistry to match

One of the coolest things about this movie is its cast. You've got Stan back as the Winter Soldier, but wait, there's more! Florence Pugh is in it too, playing Yelena Belova from Black Widow, and let's not forget David Harbour as the Red Guardian and Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent.

Stan says that everyone got along great on set. In his interview with Deadline, he stated,

“Every single one of these people are funny, they’re generous,”

The director, Jake Schreier, knew how to get everyone working together like a well-oiled machine.

It'll be amazing to see how these not-so-heroic characters play off each other. Their relationships are complicated, and that's what makes them interesting. We're expecting magic on screen because of this group of actors.

With Thunderbolts,* practical effects are returning to the MCU

Thunderbolts* is going a different route compared to recent Marvel flicks.

“Marvel really wanted this to have its own identity,” Stan noted.

Instead of going all out with computer-generated imagery, they're pushing the envelope with good old-fashioned practical effects. The film crew's goal is to make the action feel real and keep the story more down-to-earth.

This fits perfectly with the kind of characters they're working with: think less god-like heroes and more like superhuman spies and sneaky soldiers.

The choice to use fewer computer graphics is also a nod to what people in the audience are looking for these days. They want to see some authenticity in their movies, things that feel like they could happen.

And as Stan (who plays Bucky) so eloquently said,

“Audiences are smart. They know.”

This is giving the MCU a nice twist because usually, it's those huge, flashy CGI scenes that can sometimes feel a bit over the top.

Why did Sebastian Stan call Thunderbolts 'The* ***Breakfast Club*’ of Marvel movies?**

Stan’s likening of this 2025 Marvel movie to the much-loved '80s film The Breakfast Club has sparked the interest of fans as well.

“It has its own vibe,” he explained.

It brings to light that this story is all about the characters and their journeys. Just like in that great John Hughes movie, Thunderbolts* throws a bunch of oddballs together, all with their heavy bags of issues, making them deal with each other and work as a team. This is fresh compared to the MCU films we're used to.

It is going to swim in some deep waters with these characters who are more like anti-heroes, looking at themes like redemption and finding where you belong. It's a twist on the typical superhero plot.