4 Major MCU Characters Removed from Thunderbolts That Could Change Everything

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I can’t help but reflect on the intriguing details that shaped the production of Thunderbolts*. In earlier drafts of this anticipated film, four remarkable characters were initially slated to appear, only to be later excised from the script. One of these characters could have potentially steered the movie’s narrative in an entirely different direction. Since the groundbreaking team-up seen in Avengers: Endgame, Thunderbolts* has been the first MCU production to present a unified ensemble, consisting of Yelena Belova, John Walker, Ghost, Winter Soldier, and Red Guardian.

Four Major MCU Characters Who Were Cut From Thunderbolts*

During the developmental stages of the “Thunderbolts” screenplay, certain plotlines shifted, leading to the complete elimination of characters initially intended for the movie.

Kang the Conqueror

Over a considerable period, the character of Kang the Conqueror played by Jonathan Majors has been planned to be the primary adversary for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after Thanos’ demise. Kang made appearances in both seasons of Loki and in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, and was also part of an early version of Thunderbolts.

As shared by Thunderbolts author Eric Pearson in an interview on IGN, an earlier version of the movie’s script originally included a scene after the credits featuring Kang.

“So I was throwing together at the beginning a post-credit sequence that had to deal with Kang.”

Pearson didn’t disclose specifics about what the scene could have represented, however, given that Majors was dismissed by Marvel Studios amidst his legal troubles, it seems probable that the scene was abandoned.

Baron Zemo

As a devoted admirer of the original Thunderbolts narrative, I can confidently affirm that Baron Zemo’s influence was pivotal in shaping the team. Consequently, it comes as no astonishment to discover that early drafts of the film featured Zemo prominently, with his role being of significant consequence.

In an interview with Screen Rant, Eric Pearson disclosed that one version of the Thunderbolts storyline had Baron Zemo orchestrating everything. A draft also featured Zemo as Valentina’s assistant, who, in the final release, is Mel – a character that may hold significant importance for Marvel’s future plans.

In the past, there may have existed a tag that hinted at the identity of those involved. It was suggested that Baron Zemo was orchestrating events from prison, but it seems plausible to me that there could have been an alternative version where Zemo had escaped and disguised himself as someone else – perhaps Valentina’s assistant – while wearing a Widow mask.

In the end, I found out that Zemo wasn’t quite the right fit for the narrative we aimed to create in the Thunderbolts movie. Despite frequent discussions about incorporating him into the storyline, he just didn’t align with our vision.

In the debate, it’s often suggested that Baron Zemo should be included since it would be clever. However, in the narrative we chose and grew fond of, Yelena was the main character, and all other characters intertwine around her. Additionally, we also decided to bring Bob into the story, so Zemo didn’t quite fit. We didn’t want to add him merely as an extra, like a feather on a fish without significance.

Bill Foster

A lesser-known MCU character, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne, is Bill Foster from “Ant-Man and The Wasp.” In the movie, as well as the “What If…?” series on Disney+, this character has a significant connection with the Ghost.

During an interview with IGN, Eric Pearson disclosed that Bill Foster was initially contemplated for a part in the upcoming film, Thunderbolts. At one stage, Foster actually appeared in the script, but later got taken out.

As reported by Pearson, Foster was briefly associated with the Ghost’s narrative, yet he did not disclose the reasons behind Foster being written out.

In one scenario, Bill Foster briefly appeared in the Ghost narrative, while in another initial draft, he wasn’t included. However, it seems like they incorporated him into the story during the second revision.

People who watched “Thunderbolts” are aware that much of the film revolves around the main characters’ previous experiences with trauma. There might have been plans to include a flashback sequence, where Ghost could have appeared and been connected to Foster’s character.

Man-Thing

Despite making just a single appearance in the MCU (specifically, in “Werewolf By Night”), director Jake Schreier is actively advocating for the inclusion of Man-Thing in Marvel’s upcoming ensemble movie, “Thunderbolts.

As reported by Schreier in his interview with SFX magazine, there came a moment during discussions about the film’s plot that the director requested Man-Thing not just to appear in the movie, but also to join the Thunderbolts squad.

“I think there was a point during pitching when I really wanted Man-Thing to be on the team.”

It’s clear that Man-Thing wouldn’t have blended in with the group of oddball characters, and it’s possible he wasn’t written into the script at all. However, one might argue that his addition to the team would have certainly added an intriguing twist.

BONUS: Melina

Ever since the release of “Thunderbolts”, fans have been curious about the whereabouts of Rachel Weisz’s character, Melina, given that both Yelena and Red Guardian (Alexei) had significant roles in the film.

Although it’s yet unconfirmed if Melina appeared in any drafts of the Thunderbolts script, both David Harbour and Florence Pugh have voiced their hopes that she will reappear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe sometime down the line.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Harbour mentioned he’s had discussions about the character Melina and believes there might be a possibility for her to make a comeback.

I’ve had discussions with folks at Marvel regarding Melina, and it seems she still has a great deal of untapped potential.

Pugh agreed with Harbour, expressing a desire for Melina to rejoin the group, while Harbour expressed his fondness by stating he’d be delighted if she returned to Alexei’s life.

I believe there’s a possibility for Melina to make a captivating comeback in our storyline, and it would be delightful to see her reunited with Alexei once more. Her presence would certainly introduce an intriguing layer of complexity.

In the movie “Black Widow,” it appears that Melina made it through the ordeal. A scene not included in the final cut hinted at a renewal of her bond with Alexei. However, no recent information about her location or condition has been disclosed.

2025-05-18 13:05