How bad is the “Thunderbolts” script? That’s the first thing I asked myself after learning that Ayo Edebiri had announced her exit from the project. Her reason for dropping out was just as dubious (“scheduling conflict”). The lamest excuse in the book.
Edebiri’s exit comes just a few weeks after Steven Yeung (“Beef,” “Minari”) dropped out of the Marvel-produced “Thunderbolts”. What was Yeun’s excuse for dropping out? You guessed it … “scheduling conflict.” He was replaced by Lewis Pullman.
Yeun and Edebiri are two young and very talented actors that will be sorely missed in “Thunderbolts.” Their stock is soaring and one can’t help but theorize that they just both decided to jump ship as they saw the Marvel brand sinking fast.
Don’t get me wrong, “scheduling conflicts” most definitely occur, especially coming off two major strikes, but, at this point, I can only imagine Edibiri and Yeun exuding a major sigh of relief. Maybe they dodged a bullet here. It could be all for the best given the drama that’s surrounded “Captain America: Brave New World,” which “Thunderbolts” is rumored to rely heavily on.
This all comes as Andrew Droz Palermo has taken over as cinematographer for “Thunderbolts” — originally hired DP Steve Yedlin had to exit due to — am I repeating myself? — a “scheduling conflict”. Who’s next?
Directed by Jake Schreier, who helmed Yeun in “Beef,” “Thunderbolts” is a story led by a batch of anti-heroes and villains. The film, for now, stars Sebastian Stan, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Olga Kurylenko.
“Thunderbolts” has a July 25, 2025 release date set up. Let’s see if it actually keeps it.