Thunderbolts: Julia Louis-Dreyfus really wants to kick some ass in new Marvel movie

After making relatively brief appearances in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Black Widow, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Julia Louis-Dreyfus is ready for Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine to take on a bigger role in Thunderbolts; not only that, but she wants to show off her fight skills as well.

While speaking with Variety, Julia Louis-Dreyfus confirms that Thunderbolts will start shooting this June and that she really wants to have her own fight scene. “I actually pitched it,” Louis-Dreyfus said, “I told them I really, really want to fight. We’ll see if that happens. I haven’t seen the script yet.” After being reminded of the rigorous stunt training needed for such a scene, she added, “Ugh, I’d better get in shape.“

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever revealed that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine was the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency, setting the stage for Thunderbolts. Julia Louis-Dreyfus added that one of the character’s most distinctive features was her way of making the character her own. “In the original comic she has sort of a white streak in her hair, but I thought purple would make it a little more of this world today,” Louis-Dreyfus said. “And I didn’t want o her to look too much like Cruella, or anything like that.“

The main cast of the Thunderbolts movie was announced at D23. The film will see David Harbour returning as Red Guardian, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, Wyatt Russell as John Walker/US Agent, Hannah John Kamen as Ghost, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Harrison Ford will also appear as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, with the actor taking over the role played by the late William Hurt. The actor’s first appearance as Ross will actually occur in Captain America: New World Order, which is set to be released several months before Thunderbolts.

The Thunderbolts movie is set to be directed by Jake Schreier (Robot & Frank), with Eric Pearson (Black Widow) penning the script. Thunderbolts will hit theaters on July 26, 2024.