Thunderbolts Plot Twist: Taskmaster’s Unexpected Fate Stuns Writer Eric Pearson
The world of superhero filmmaking is often a collaborative and iterative process, with scripts undergoing numerous revisions and character arcs sometimes taking unexpected turns. Even the writers who craft the initial narratives can be surprised by the final product. This was precisely the case for Eric Pearson, a seasoned writer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), when he finally witnessed the first cut of "Thunderbolts."
Pearson, known for his work on films like "Black Widow," "Fantastic Four: First Steps," and the acclaimed "Thor: Ragnarok," served as both the story creator and co-screenwriter for "Thunderbolts," alongside Joanna Calo. He entered the screening with a strong sense of familiarity with the narrative he had helped shape. However, a significant deviation from his original vision left him utterly shocked: the early demise of Taskmaster, a character he envisioned playing a vital role throughout the entire film.
In Pearson’s original concept, Taskmaster, portrayed by Olga Kurylenko, was intended to be more than just a fleeting villain. Instead of meeting her end in the first act, she was meant to survive and become an integral member of the Thunderbolts team. This longer arc would have allowed for deeper exploration of her character and her unique circumstances. The final film, however, chose a different path, eliminating Taskmaster early on and altering the overall dynamic of the team.
The sudden departure of Taskmaster from the narrative presented a stark contrast to Pearson’s intentions. He had meticulously crafted a journey for the character, complete with meaningful interactions and a comedic subplot that he believed would resonate with audiences.
One of the key aspects of Pearson’s plan for Taskmaster involved her relationship with Ava Starr, also known as Ghost (played by Hannah John-Kamen). Both characters shared a common thread: they had been subjected to experiments that granted them extraordinary abilities but also inflicted upon them significant personal costs. In Pearson’s vision, Ava, who had gained a degree of control over her powers and her life earlier in the timeline, would serve as a mentor figure to Taskmaster, guiding her towards self-discovery and independence.
"Ava, having won her autonomy earlier in the chronology than Taskmaster, was kind of big-sistering her a little bit, in a way of ‘how to break free and be your own person,’" Pearson explained. This dynamic would have added layers of emotional depth to both characters, allowing them to connect on a personal level and support each other’s journeys toward healing and self-acceptance.
Beyond the emotional connection, Pearson also envisioned a comedic subplot centered around Taskmaster’s memory issues. Due to the nature of her powers and the experiments she had endured, Taskmaster suffered from significant memory loss. Pearson intended to use this as a source of humor, with Taskmaster repeatedly forgetting that she had joined the Thunderbolts team and reverting to her original mission of hunting down John Walker, also known as U.S. Agent (played by Wyatt Russell).
"On the comedy side, she was struggling with her own memory-loss stuff, and there was a gag where she just kept restarting the fight and forgetting that they had made up and become friends," Pearson said. "They would be discussing the plan of how to get out [of the vault], and she’d just go after him again, and they’d all have to pig-pile on each other, and pull her off, and be like, ‘No, we know each other! We’ve had this conversation before!’"
This recurring gag would have provided lighthearted moments amidst the action and drama, highlighting the team’s growing camaraderie and their ability to overcome even the most absurd obstacles. However, with Taskmaster’s early exit from the film, this comedic element was lost, leaving a void in the overall tone and dynamic of the Thunderbolts.
Pearson remains uncertain about the precise reasons behind the decision to eliminate Taskmaster so early in the film. He speculates that her death may have been intended to heighten the stakes and create a greater sense of urgency within the narrative. He also acknowledges that the memory storyline he had developed for Taskmaster might have overlapped with a larger plot point involving another character, potentially leading to its removal to avoid redundancy.
"[The memory storyline] could contribute as another reason why they chose to bring her out of the movie," he said. "Bob was obviously having memory issues as a big part of his character." In this context, "Bob" likely refers to another character with memory-related challenges, and the filmmakers may have felt that having two characters with similar issues would dilute the impact of both storylines.
Ultimately, Pearson accepts that the final decisions regarding the film’s narrative were made after his work was completed. While he expresses disappointment at the alteration of Taskmaster’s arc, he acknowledges that filmmaking is a collaborative art form, and changes are often necessary to achieve the desired overall effect.
The question remains: Would Taskmaster’s survival have enhanced the film? Pearson firmly believes that her inclusion throughout the entire narrative would have added depth, humor, and emotional resonance to "Thunderbolts." Her relationship with Ava, her comedic memory lapses, and her overall integration into the team dynamic would have enriched the viewing experience and provided audiences with a more compelling and nuanced portrayal of the character.
