The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Thunderbolts sparked intense discussion with the early death of Taskmaster, played by Olga Kurylenko, who is killed by Ghost in a shocking first-act moment. In a recent interview with Variety to promote the home media release of Thunderbolts, director Jake Schreier addressed the controversial decision and the narrative choices behind it. Schreier revealed that the choice to kill Taskmaster was made during the script’s redevelopment following the Hollywood strikes of 2023, as initial drafts felt “a little bloodless” for a story about contract killers, necessitating a change to heighten the film’s drama and stakes.
“It was something that happened after the strike, when we were redeveloping the script,” Schreier told Variety. “I know that there are people that have reached out to let me know that they’re displeased with this, and I totally understand that. It’s not something we did lightly. As we looked at the script and tried to do a new version, it was a little bloodless. In order to honor these characters and what they do, being contract killers … to have that movie take place with no one showing what that means didn’t really feel like it would land with as much impact. We considered all versions of it.”
Schreier further reflected on the emotional weight of the decision, praising Kurylenko’s performance. “Obviously, I think Olga is a wonderful actress. It’s a hard thing to do. It’s just showing that, for these characters, this is a thing that’s done, and they feel that all of their lives don’t have a ton of value,” he said.
The decision to kill Taskmaster in Thunderbolts drew significant criticism from fans, who felt the character deserved a more substantial arc, particularly given her traumatic backstory established in Black Widow. Many expressed disappointment over the abrupt and unceremonious nature of her death, arguing that Taskmaster’s unique ability to mimic opponents’ fighting styles was underutilized. The absence of Taskmaster in much of the film’s marketing materials had fueled speculation of her demise, but the execution still left fans wanting more development for the character.
In Thunderbolts, Taskmaster’s death occurs when Ghost, portrayed by Hannah John-Kamen, shoots her in the head, revealing that the characters have been manipulated into a trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. This pivotal moment establishes the ruthless, self-serving nature of the ensemble early on, laying the groundwork for their arc toward unity and redemption as the New Avengers. While Taskmaster’s death served to underscore the high stakes and individualistic motivations of the characters, it raised questions about whether her arc, built on the traumatic backstory from Black Widow, was given sufficient depth.
Speculation about Olga Kurylenko’s potential return as Taskmaster has gained traction. In late May, Kurylenko posted a photo captioned “Working on a Sunday” while in Bahrain, where Avengers: Doomsday was filming earlier this year, fueling rumors of her involvement. Although she was absent from the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement in March, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has teased additional casting reveals. The MCU’s multiverse could allow for a Taskmaster variant in Avengers: Doomsday, creating an intriguing dynamic with the New Avengers. Additionally, the planned MCU reset after Avengers: Secret Wars offers another chance to reintroduce Taskmaster, whether through Kurylenko or a recast, to explore her untapped potential and unique abilities, which were underutilized in Thunderbolts.
Thunderbolts is now available for home viewing, with its physical media release on July 29, 2025, following its theatrical debut on May 2, 2025. The film is expected to arrive on Disney+ in late August or early September 2025, offering fans a chance to revisit the New Avengers’ journey. Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, while Avengers: Secret Wars will follow on December 17, 2027, concluding the MCU’s Multiverse Saga with epic team-ups featuring the Avengers, Fantastic Four, New Avengers, and X-Men.
