David Harbour Discusses ‘Thunderbolts*’ Themes and Re-examining His Relationship with Yelena

Thunderbolts* is one of the many upcoming MCU movies, but it stands out for a few key reasons. First, it will bring Marvel’s version of the Suicide Squad to the MCU. Second, it will introduce Sentry, one of the most powerful characters in comics, to the big screen.

The movie will also bring back some of our favorite (anti)heroes, including Red Guardian, played by David Harbour, and Yelena Belova, the MCU’s current Black Widow, played by Florence Pugh.

At the recent D23 panel in Brazil, Hugo Gloss spoke with David Harbour about the upcoming movie. The actor shared that the characters’ superpowers are closely tied to their personal struggles and flaws. He believes these powers are not just individual strengths but are stronger when the characters work together and support each other.

I think there’s something about this movie, about superpowers and superheroes that our powers are inextricably linked to how broken we are. And that our powers only thrive in relationship to each other, that in isolation they can be a curse.

When we’re in the right alignment with each other they can be even greater than those individual powers. [Thunderbolts*] explores finding your place in the world…finding your footing in an unsure world.

Harbour also talked about his on-screen relationship with his adoptive daughter, Yelena Belova. Their relationship is complicated, with Alexei showing fatherly love but also being flawed and distant at times. Yelena and Alexei share a history, and in Black Widow, we see them reconnect and face their past together.

They’ve had a strange relationship but clearly, she needs him in some way, and he certainly needs her for meaning in his life.

Source: Hugo Gloss

Thunderbolts* is set to be released in the United States on May 2, 2025, as the last movie of Phase Five in the MCU.

Want to share your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!