Summary

Thunderbolts* generating positive reviews, with Florence Pugh praised as the standout.
Pugh's action role in the MCU distinguishes her, with potential to lead the franchise.
Marvel Studios may pivot future plans based on Pugh's reception, setting her up for bigger roles.

Thunderbolts* is going to be the next entry to the Marvel Cinematic Universe when it is released on May 2, 2025, bringing a team of unlikely heroes together to become Marvel's next group. There are some fantastic actors in the cast of Thunderbolts*, including David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, and Sebastian Stan, among others.

However, Florence Pugh is the name that is being pushed as the face of Thunderbolts* in the marketing, and given her talent, that's no surprise. However, the popular British actor could end up forcing Marvel to switch up their entire plans moving forward.

Marvel Is Already Banking On Thunderbolts* Being A Hit - That Might Be A Mistake

Marvel has put a lot of investment into Thunderbolts* being a hit, but that might end up being a major mistake.

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By Matthew Wilkinson

Florence Pugh Has Been Receiving High Praise

Early Thunderbolts* Screenings Have Been Positive About Pugh

Thunderbolts* is still a few days away from being released to the general public, but there have already been some screenings with the UK premiere and fan events. Those have all led to positive reviews, with Thunderbolts* being hailed "one of the best MCU movies in a long time" by Emily Murray, a writer and editor within the industry. The film itself appears set to be a hit for Marvel Studios, which is exactly what they need ahead of Avengers: Doomsday, which is a massive project for the franchise. However, while Thunderbolts has been praised for its action and feeling unique, Pugh herself has been pushed as the star of the movie.

The team has been seen as on the same level as the trailers, but many fans presumed that Pugh would establish herself as a leader as she's arguably the biggest name actor involved. But that doesn't always translate to successful performances, especially in an ensemble movie with so many other talented stars. However, critics have claimed that Thunderbolts* "belongs" to Pugh, while others stated that she's the "star that shines the brightest." The early reviews have increased the hype surrounding the Marvel film, in particular, surrounding Pugh's own performance and what she's set to offer.

Florence Pugh Has Already Appeared In Several Marvel Projects

Yelena Belova Is Someone Who Audiences Are Now Familiar With

Thunderbolts* will not be the first time that audiences have seen Pugh in a Marvel project. She made her debut in 2021's Black Widow, where her backstory was developed and shown in detail. That was then pushed further in the Disney Plus series Hawkeye, where Pugh had the chance to reprise the role, making it clear that Marvel has plans for her moving forward. Plus, this won't be her last appearance either, as Pugh is already confirmed to be part of Avengers: Doomsday and her future continues to look positive for Marvel.

Pugh might be known for her incredible dramatic acting in the likes of Little Women or Midsommar, but she's had no problem diving into the action world of Marvel. Pugh's fight scenes have always been fun to watch due to the type of character she plays in the MCU. Yelena doesn't have fancy powers like many of the other heroes; instead, she relies on her fighting skills, which make her scenes feel raw and gritty, but she is also more reliable than the rest. She was also involved in a huge stunt in Thunderbolts*, which would have made Tom Cruise proud, as she jumped off the second-tallest building in the world. That's something few Marvel actors would be willing to do themselves, but it brings a level of realism to Pugh's performances that allows her to stand out every time.

Marvel Might End Up Making A Huge Decision With Florence Pugh

Thunderbolts* Should Be The Star Of Bigger Things

Marvel has already cast Pugh and various other stars from Thunderbolts* in Avengers: Doomsday, which is a sign of real intent regarding how the decision-makers feel about the team. They're set to be a big part of the MCU moving forward, which is exactly what the franchise needs at this point. Having some fresh characters for people to connect with is necessary while also allowing some different actors to put their own spin on things. Pugh is capable of doing that

Even though Marvel has plans for Pugh moving forward, the incredible reviews her performance is receiving off the back of Thunderbolts* might lead to a reshuffle at the top of the MCU. Pugh is already a huge star, but her name value is constantly rising as she has reached the point where she can now be trusted as the lead actor in a massive Marvel project. Given that fans have wanted a top female star in the franchise for some time, Pugh might just end up taking on that role. She's got the talent to do so, and if there is feedback from the fanbase, then Marvel has no real risk of pushing her into more prominent roles. The studios might need to rethink whatever was initially being planned for her to go from being just a member of Thunderbolts* to the face of the franchise, offering Marvel something totally different moving forward into the next phase.

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