1 Criminally Underrated Marvel Anti-hero Thunderbolts* Needs to Bring to the Big Screen

We’ve had heroes. We’ve had villains. We’ve had morally ambiguous wizards who accidentally break the multiverse because they didn’t want to say goodbye to their girlfriends. But what have we been seriously missing lately? Unhinged, unpredictable, anti-heroes.

Marvel’s upcoming Thunderbolts* film is shaping up to be a delicious buffet of that chaos, featuring a squad of slightly less homicidal baddies. We’re talking Red Guardian, Bucky, Yelena, Ghost, and people who’ve probably been kicked out of a group chat at some point.

Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell and Hannah John-Kamen
Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell and Hannah John-Kamen in Thunderbolts* | Credits: Marvel Studios

But we have a spicy little pitch. A wildcard. A skull-wearing vigilante with zero chill and a very large gun collection. Yes, Thunderbolts* needs to bring in one particular anti-hero who’s been lurking in the shadows for too long. Let’s dive into this wishful casting and talk about some recent cameos while we’re at it.

It’s always been Punisher

Jon Bernthal as The Punisher in Daredevil: Born Again
Jon Bernthal as The Punisher in Daredevil: Born Again | Credits: Marvel Studios

You know him. You love him. You’re slightly afraid of him. It’s Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, and he’s back, baby. After years of fans aggressively tweeting “#SaveDaredevil” and “WHERE’S FRANK,” Marvel finally heard us. Jon Bernthal officially returned as Frank Castle in Daredevil: Born Again, and the internet collectively lost its mind.

Bernthal’s Punisher isn’t just another angry guy with guns. He’s the angry guy with guns. He brought a raw, grounded intensity to the Netflix version of the character that made fans forget this was technically still superhero content and not a high-octane revenge thriller. He grunted. He bled. He delivered monologues about pain that made you want to call your dad. And somehow, despite being a walking red flag with a body count, people loved him for it.

And now? According to The Wrap, Marvel Studios has confirmed that Bernthal will star in a Punisher special presentation for Disney+, set to premiere in 2026. Bernthal is co-writing the special with director Reinaldo Marcus Green, aiming to deliver a dark and authentic portrayal of Frank Castle.

Imagine Frank joining the squad. He’s not there for therapy. He’s not there for redemption. He’s there because someone needs to get the job done, and he’s not afraid to break a few ribs or skulls. He doesn’t play nice. He doesn’t do pep talks. But boy, does he deliver results. Frank Castle in Thunderbolts* isn’t just a cool idea; it’s borderline mandatory.

Thunderbolts* cameos that actually make sense

Oscar Isaac in Moon Knight
Oscar Isaac in Moon Knight | Credits: Marvel Studios

Look, we love a good surprise. But if Marvel really wants to flex its muscles with Thunderbolts*, it should pull cameos straight from the source material, and trust us, there are some absolute bangers.

Moon Knight is a must. He’s teamed up with the Thunderbolts in the comics before, most notably in Thunderbolts #110–121 during Warren Ellis’ run, and he fits the squad’s vibe like a blood-soaked glove. He’s a vigilante with identity issues, zero filter, and a tendency to leave enemies wondering what just happened. Sounds like a team player to us, sort of.

Elektra also makes perfect sense. She’s been part of dark ops in Marvel lore, including her stint leading The Hand and working in Thunderbolts Red. She slices first, glares later, and would not hesitate to stab someone over a poorly executed plan. She’s basically team mom but, like, if your mom was a ninja assassin.

Ghost Rider could add some supernatural firepower to the crew. He’s a tortured soul with demonic horsepower and serious beef with evil. He’s also no stranger to being a government asset in weird black-ops missions. Thunderbolt-friendly? You bet.

And yes, Daredevil deserves an honorary mention. While he’s more of a moral compass than a skull-smasher, his ties to Frank Castle, Elektra, and the street-level Marvel scene make him a strong candidate for a brief appearance. Bonus points if he shows up just to yell, “You let who on this team?

Forget multiversal cameos or random surprise variants; give us gritty, grounded characters who actually make sense alongside the Thunderbolts. This isn’t the place for space wizards or talking raccoons. This is a trench coat, cigarette smoke, morally gray Marvel. Let’s keep it dirty. Let’s keep it real. And let’s bring in the comic book chaos.

Thunderbolts* will be released in theatres on May 1, 2025.

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