Thunderbolts has lost a major cast member with Steven Yeun's departure from the film, but some fans already have an ideal replacement in mind.
In 2023, it was reported that Yeun was set to play Sentry in Thunderbolts, but its scheduled filming was delayed due to the film industry strikes. Ahead of the movie starting production this year, it was reported that Yeun has since left the project for unknown reasons. Of course, this means that Sentry will need to quickly be recast with a new actor. On social media, many fan posts are arguing for Reacher star Alan Ritchson to get the part.
Reacher's Alan Ritchson Suits Up as the DCU's Batman in New Artwork
Alan Ritchson admitting that he's open to playing Batman has resulted in new artwork depicting him in the role.Other fans have been suggesting other potential names to play the part, with former Superman actor Henry Cavill coming up often as another popular pick. As for Ritchson, the Reacher star does have some experience with the genre, as he previously played Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, in Smallville. He also played Hawk in the DC series Titans, which wrapped up its run on Max in 2023. Ritchson just recently teased that he'd "love to play Batman" as well, so it's clear he's still open to returning to the superhero genre. The actor has also appeared in other major franchise films like Fast X and the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, but he has yet to make his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why Did Steven Yeun Exit Thunderbolts?
Yeun has not publicly addressed his exit from Thunderbolts at this time, so it's unclear exactly why he left the project. It may be due to scheduling conflicts with other projects, given how Yeun was all set to shoot the film in 2023 before it was delayed to July 2024, as reported by THR. The Invincible star had also previously teased how excited he was to land that role.
MCU Fans Find the Perfect Role for Steven Yeun - And It's Not Sentry
Steven Yeun is supposedly playing The Sentry, but he might be a better fit for an underrated foe who's one of Marvel's most powerful villains."It kind of came together in a weird way," Yeun said of his casting in 2023, per THR. "Jake Schreier, who [directed] episodes of Beef, he got the gig to direct it. He kind of saw me for this role. I read the role and I was like, 'This is actually a really interesting role. I'd be down to explore this.'"
There's no indication at this time of other cast members dropping out of the film. Previously announced cast members include Sebastian Stan, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Olga Kurylenko, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Thunderbolts will be released in movie theaters on July 25, 2025.
Source: X
Thunderbolts
A group of supervillains are recruited to go on missions for the government.
- Release Date
- July 25, 2025
- Director
- Jake Schreier
- Cast
- Florence Pugh , Wyatt Russell , Harrison Ford
- Main Genre
- Action
- Genres
- Adventure , Crime
- Writers
- Kurt Busiek , Lee Sung Jin , Eric Pearson
- Production Company
- Marvel Studios