Lewis Pullman is being Targeted to Replace Steven Yeun in 'Thunderbolts'

by Darian Scalamoni

    Following the news of Steven Yeun's exit from Marvel's Thunderbolts after being cast last February, it appears that the suit he was expected to don is almost inhabited by someone else. Deadline confirms with Daniel Richtman's report that Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick) is expected to join the cast of the MCU project that is currently slated for a July 25, 2025 release.

    Yeun was cast in what was an exciting week for the project as at that time Marvel had also added The Bear star Ayo Edebiri to the cast. Yeun dropped out at the end of 2023 due to scheduling conflicts and now Pullman seems to have an inside track on the gig. Online rumors suggest that the role within the cinematic universe will be that of Sentry, a character who is basically Marvel's equivalent to Superman. It would be a massive casting for Pullman whose star seems to be on the rise in recent years.

    Pullman most recently starred opposite Brie Larson in the AppleTV+ limited series, Lessons in Chemistry based on Bonnie Garmus' novel. Additionally, Pullman had a lead role in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, the last feature film directed by William Friedkin prior to his death. In 2022, Pullman played one of the hotshot new pilots within Top Gun: Maverick as scene-stealer. Lt. Robert "Bob" Floyd. He also had one of the lead roles in Amazon sci-fi series, Outer Range, as one of Josh Brolin's sons along with Tom Pelphrey.

    Next, Pullman will star in the thriller Skincare with Elizabeth Banks and MJ Rodriguez. He'll also star in the Stephen King adaptation Salem's Lot alongside Alfre Woodard and Bill Camp. He's currently in production in New Jersey on the comedy film, Riff Raff which has a terrific ensemble including Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Bill Murray and Dustin Hoffman. 

    If Pullman ultimately does sign onto Thunderbolts, he'll be amongst another ensemble as the film is set to revolve around the antiheroes teaming up to go on missions commissioned by the U.S. government. The ensemble in addition to the previously mentioned Edebiri would also include MCU mainstays such as Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Wyatt Russell.