In an unexpected turn of events, Hollywood rising star Ayo Edebiri is bidding farewell to Marvel’s highly anticipated superhero film, “Thunderbolts”.
The departure marks the second exit of a woman of color from the project, as scheduling conflicts prompt Edebiri to step down.
According to Deadline, Geraldine Viswanathan has been announced as the replacement for Edebiri in the role previously held by “The Bear” star.
The decision comes in the aftermath of “Thunderbolts'” production delays caused by the writers’ and actors’ strikes of 2023.
Edebiri’s departure adds to the recent trend, with Steven Yeun, initially cast in the film, having left the project a few weeks ago.
Lewis Pullman stepped in to fill Yeun’s role, further impacting the film’s diversity. The current cast features Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wyatt Russell, and Olga Kurylenko, with Hannah John-Kamen and Viswanathan standing as the only actors of color known to be part of the project.
Directed by Jake Schreier, “Thunderbolts” brings together various villains and antiheroes to form a shadow organization initiated by the government for missions worldwide.
Despite the cast changes, the film remains on track for its scheduled theatrical release in July 2025, promising an action-packed narrative in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
