No Avengers? No problem. Marvel’s most unpredictable team just made their explosive debut in Thunderbolts*, and Singapore fans were some of the first to witness the chaos unfold at an exclusive Geek Culture fan screening on 30 April.
Taking place just ahead of the Labour Day public holiday, the event drew a buzzing crowd of Marvel die-hards decked out in their best superhero gear, ready to meet the MCU’s most dysfunctional lineup yet. Hosted at Shaw Lido Hall 4, the event pulled in over 300 fans for a high-energy evening packed with action, anti-heroes, and a whole lot of Marvel mischief.
Excitement stirred long before the opening credits rolled, as fans engaged in pre-show activities and competed for a shot at limited-edition Thunderbolts* premiums. Five lucky attendees walked away with exclusive merchandise sets featuring a beanie, crewneck, tote bag and water bottle — all stamped with the team’s bold insignia. Contestants also dressed the part, with everything from full Deadpool suits to homemade Doctor Doom costumes making appearances under the cinema lights.
Thunderbolts* brings a rough-and-ready group of misfits into the spotlight: Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh, Oppenheimer), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan, A Different Man), Red Guardian (David Harbour, Stranger Things), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen, Killjoys), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko, Quantum of Solace), and John Walker (Wyatt Russell, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters) — all operating under the eye of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seinfeld), who remains as manipulative and calculating as ever.
It’s not exactly the Avengers, and that’s precisely the point. Audiences were quick to latch onto the gritty team dynamics, dry humour, and explosive clashes that define the film’s tone, reacting with cheers, gasps, and knowing laughs throughout its runtime. One standout moment in the screening came during a four-way brawl involving Yelena, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker, prompting audible reactions from the crowd and setting the tone for what many are calling Marvel’s boldest ensemble project to date.
Post-screening chatter was as lively as the film itself. Fans compared favourite moments, speculated on what this misfit team means for the MCU’s future, and applauded Marvel’s bold move to spotlight its less-than-polished heroes.
Screenings like these serve as a reminder that Marvel’s strength doesn’t always lie in world-saving stakes, but sometimes, it’s about watching flawed characters try not to fall apart while doing the saving. With Thunderbolts* now open in cinemas across Singapore as of 1 May, audiences who missed the fan screening won’t have to wait long to see what happens when Earth’s most volatile squad is let off the leash.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Si Jia
Kevin Low
