Thunderbolts marks a bold tonal shift for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, trading heroic optimism for moral ambiguity and psychological depth. Released on May 2, the film follows a team of antiheroes on covert missions far from Avengers-style glory. Directed by Jake Schreier and featuring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Thunderbolts explores paranoia, guilt, and betrayal in a darker, grittier MCU landscape.