In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Affairs’ Joemy Blanco in Miami, cast members Hannah John-Kamen, Lewis Pullman, and Geraldine Viswanathan opened up about the emotional depth of their characters—and how personal experiences shaped their performances.

️‍Hannah John-Kamen on Ghost: From Isolation to Inner Healing
Hannah John-Kamen, reprising her role as Ghost, discussed the emotional complexity of a character once defined by pain and distrust.

“She doesn’t trust anyone. She doesn’t want to be trusted… but what she’s fighting is her own desire to love, to connect, to be a part of something,” John-Kamen explains.

After being healed by Janet Van Dyne in Ant-Man and the Wasp, Ghost returns in Thunderbolts* with more control over her powers—but also with a hardened emotional shell. John-Kamen describes this as a transformation from “a girl flickering out of control” to “a woman in control of her body and power.”

Lewis Pullman on Bob: Grief Beneath the Surface
Lewis Pullman reflected on the quiet intensity of Bob, a character carrying an “elephant of grief” beneath a composed exterior.

“People try so hard not to show what they’re really feeling,” he said. “I started reflecting on myself as a kid—smiling through pain, not talking about things—and I let that inform the character.”

Pullman channeled his own childhood memories of masking emotions to portray Bob’s internal battle—adding depth to a character who swings between confidence and self-doubt, much like Pullman himself experienced on set.

Geraldine Viswanathan on Mel: Navigating Morality in a Gray World
Geraldine Viswanathan’s character, Mel, brings a grounded energy to the team. Her moral clarity is tested in a power-hungry world led by Valentina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).

“Righteousness without power is just an opinion.” — a line from Valentina that Geraldine says struck a deep chord.

This internal conflict defines Mel’s arc: trying to remain ethical while navigating manipulation, control, and shifting alliances.

What If the Thunderbolts Went to Therapy?
In a playful conclusion, the cast imagined a hypothetical group therapy retreat for the Thunderbolts:

• Alexi (Red Guardian) would lead the sessions.
• Bucky (Winter Soldier) would leave first.
• The rest? They’d eventually do the emotional work together.

“It’s kind of a therapeutic movie, in a way,” Blanco joked.

More Than Just a Superhero Movie
At its core, Thunderbolts* explores the emotional wounds behind the masks—grief, guilt, and the longing for redemption.

From personal reflections to team dynamics, this film marks a shift in the MCU’s emotional storytelling. As the cast proves, sometimes the hardest battles are the ones fought within.

Thunderbolts* is now playing in theaters.