Thunderbolts: Marvel antiheroes steal the show at Disney’s fan convention

Anti-heroes took center stage at the Walt Disney Co’s D23 Expo fan convention on Saturday, as Marvel Entertainment announced the cast of Thunderbolts.

Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige has announced that actors Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbor and Julia Louis Dreyfus will join the cast of the new film, whose team of villains are akin to DC Comics’ Suicide Squad. The film is slated for release in July 2024.

Thunderbolts was one of approximately 20 upcoming Star Wars and Marvel movies and series that Disney showcased in a three-hour presentation that relied heavily on stardom, screenings, and even a Broadway-style musical performance of Rogers: The Musical, in which Captain America and the other characters of the Avengers reunited on stage.

James Cameron appeared via video from New Zealand to present several scenes from Avatar: The Way of the Water, the long-awaited sequel to one of the highest-grossing films of all time, Avatar. The director spoke of the pretty hectic production cycle of working on the sci-fi series’ second, third and fourth installments over a five-year period.

“I know everyone’s been waiting a long time,” Cameron said. “I hope we show something today and you can decide if it was worth it.” The film will arrive in theaters in December.

Disney also offered an “exclusive look” at footage from the Black Panther sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which hits theaters on November 11. One of the film’s stars, Angela Bassett, paid tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who won wide acclaim for his portrayal of the title character, T’Challa. “Chadwick was with us every step of the way,” she said.

Harrison Ford received rave reviews from audiences for reprising his role as adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones. The actor appeared emotional as he took the stage, saying, “I’m proud to say this one is fantastic, and that’s one of the reasons,” nodding to co-star Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Indiana Jones 5, due out in June, may mark Ford’s final appearance in the franchise. “That’s it,” Ford said. “I won’t fall in love with you again.”

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