In the past few weeks, Marvel has been actively promoting “Thunderbolts” as a distinctive entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). While the film features prominent actors from moderately successful films like “A Different Man” and “Midsommar,” it is also shaped by creative minds from “Beef,” “Minari,” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” The promotion emphasizes the film’s unique nature by highlighting the authenticity of its stunts.
One notable scene in the trailers shows Yelena falling from the Merdeka 118, a skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur. This stunt was genuinely performed by Florence Pugh, who expressed enthusiasm for the scene after reading the script. According to director Jake Schreier, Disney’s health and safety team initially had reservations regarding the stunt due to the Merdeka’s height of 678.2 meters (or 2,227 feet), making it the second tallest building globally after the Burj Khalifa. However, Schreier believed the film required elements with “a little more weight and surprise.” Pugh’s eagerness to perform the stunt and her trust in the talented team involved played a crucial role in convincing Disney to proceed with it.
The film features additional realistic stunt work, including a scene where Yelena walks away from a building explosion. Schreier disclosed this was filmed shortly after dismantling the rig used for the Merdeka stunt. Over the years, the MCU has frequently utilized explosions, making the authenticity and execution of such sequences in “Thunderbolts” a refreshing change. This featurette arrives at a significant moment as the Academy Awards are set to acknowledge stunt work in a few years, and it seems Marvel is interested in possibly securing such recognition. Even if the film does not win for acting or Best Picture, technical achievements in stunts or VFX may still provide Marvel with a point of pride.
“Thunderbolts,” with its extensive stunt work, is scheduled for release in theaters on May 2.