Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Thunderbolts*.Thunderbolts*is a film that’s built on surprises. It’s a genuine surprise that a big blockbuster movie, especially one that’s part of the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe, is willing to tackle the very real issue of mental health (at the start ofMental Health Awareness Month, no less). It’s surprising how its collection of “disposable delinquents” manages to work together as a team, something that’s rare outside of an Avengers film or the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. Of course, the biggest surpriselies in the film’s ending— both in how the Thunderbolts manage to defeat the looming menace of the Void (Lewis Pullman) andthe true meaning behind the film’s asterisk. On top of all that,Thunderbolts*might have been hiding a superheroine within its cast.
ThroughoutThunderbolts*, the team is on the run from Valentina de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfuss), who wants to take them off the map to clear her name following a lengthy impeachment session. Valentina is almost never seen without her assistant Mel (Geraldine Viswanathan), who carries out her orders and somehow manages to get her a good cup of coffee, no matter the location. But Mel’s name, combined with a silver necklace she wears containing the emblem of a bird,hints that she is actually Melissa Gold, aka Songbird.
Songbird Has a Long History With the Thunderbolts in Marvel Comics
Melissa Gold started out her life as a wrestler, adopting the name “Screaming Mimi” and joining the female wrestlers known as the Grapplers. The Grapplers would eventually become mercenaries for hire, receiving cybernetic enhancements to conduct their work. Melissa’s enhancementsallowed her to project hypersonic sound waves that she could form into solid “constructs,” including wings that let her fly. As Screaming Mimi, she battled heroes including Captain America and Hawkeye, but never truly prevailed. That changed whenBaron Zemo recruited her and other villains to form the Thunderbolts, giving them new names.
“You Need to Do This”: Geraldine Viswanathan Reveals What Ayo Edebiri Told Her Before Taking ‘Thunderbolts*’ Role [Exclusive]
Edebiri originally had the role of Mel in the movie.
As “Songbird,” Melissa learned that she actually liked being a superhero, even falling in love with her fellow Thunderbolt, Mach-1.She became the team’s leader for a whilebefore Zemo returned and shaped the Thunderbolts into “hero hunters” during theCivil Warstoryline. Following Norman Osborn’s attempt on her life, Songbird would helpLuke Cage form a new team of Thunderboltsbefore joining a new team of Avengers led by mutant hero Sunspot. She’s recently come back to the Thunderbolts withThunderbolts: Doomstrike, which pits Bucky Barnes and his team of Thunderbolts against the reign of Doctor Doom.
How Does Mel Factor Into ‘Thunderbolts*’ Plot?
Thunderbolts*makes it pretty clear that Mel’s not entirely on board with Valentina’s ruthless methods; when the time comes to “terminate” the Thunderbolts, she visibly hesitates…leading Valentina to do the dirty deed. Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)tries to get Mel to provide evidence against Valentina, and she ends up telling him once Valentina launches her plans to turn Bob Reynolds into the Sentry. Mel also rightfully points out that Bob’s mental instability might not make him the best person to wield the power of a thousand exploding suns, and she’s proven correct when Bob turns on Valentina. Despite Mel triggering a failsafe in his head, Bob is consumed by the void, and it’s only due to the Thunderbolts uniting that he — and by extension, New York — are saved. Finally, Mel is present when Valentina announces the team as the New Avengers.
Geraldine Viswanathan is remaining tight-lipped on whether or not she’s playing Melissa Gold. WhenBuzzFeedfloated the question,she had this to say: “I really can’t say, or else I’ll be sniped, but all I can say is that… Hey! I would love to. I’m available, and this experience has been such a dream, and I would love to do it again, if I could.” If Viswanathan is playing Songbird,her presence would be a welcome addition to the New Avengers. Her character grew up during the events of the first Avengers movie, and she says at one point that she “wants to do some good in the world.” That sounds like the makings of a hero, and providedAvengers: DoomsdayorAvengers: Secret Warsdoesn’t radically alter the MCU too much, Mel could make a great addition to the Avengers or another team of Thunderbolts.
Thunderbolts*is now playing in theaters.
Thunderbolts*
