Hannah John-Kamen’s character, Ava Starr/Ghost, is back in the spotlight in the new Marvel movie, Thunderbolts. After her debut as the main villain in 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp, Ghost has changed from a villain into an antihero.
In Thunderbolts, Ghost teams up with other antiheroes, including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), and John Walker (Wyatt Russell). These characters, who all have complicated pasts, are now fighting against a bigger threat.
While Thunderbolts brings the same action and suspense fans expect from the MCU, it’s different in one big way — it focuses on antiheroes. These characters might not fit the traditional hero mold, but they are learning to do good.
Hannah John-Kamen Talks About Ghost’s Transformation
In a recent Zoom interview, John-Kamen shared her excitement about how Thunderbolts explores Ghost’s growth as a character.
“What this movie does is it gives us a chance to look at ourselves and ask for forgiveness,” John-Kamen said. “We can dream bigger than we thought we could. It shows us that being a hero isn’t as ridiculous as it seems.”
For Ava/Ghost, this movie is a fresh start. John-Kamen explains that her character has grown up and is now more in control of her powers.
What’s New for Ava/Ghost in Thunderbolts?
In Thunderbolts, Ghost is no longer the broken and desperate character we saw in Ant-Man and the Wasp. In that film, Ava was driven by pain and loss, making reckless decisions. But now, she has matured and is stronger, both mentally and physically.
“She’s got a hard exterior and doesn’t depend on anyone,” said John-Kamen. “She’s in control of her abilities and is totally different from the character in Ant-Man and the Wasp.”
Another big change is Ghost’s new look. In Thunderbolts, she wears a sleek, black outfit that gives her a more powerful and warrior-like appearance. This is a complete contrast to her old, ghostly white costume from the previous movie.
John-Kamen shares, “The new costume is amazing. It’s a lot more detailed and feels empowering. When I wear it, my posture changes, and everything feels different — like I have new powers.”
Ava’s New Look: From Practical to Powerful
In Ant-Man and the Wasp, Ghost’s costume was designed for survival. It was practical, helping her stay alive while dealing with her unstable molecular condition. But in Thunderbolts, her new outfit is made to match her powers and newfound strength. John-Kamen says the new suit represents Ghost’s growth and control over her abilities.
“Her new costume is more intimidating,” John-Kamen explains. “It’s not just practical; it’s meant to reflect her power, control, and warrior spirit.”
What to Expect from Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts is a fast-paced, action-packed movie that continues the story from Captain America: Brave New World. In the film, Yelena Belova is sent on a mission by CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) to eliminate a target at a secret facility. But things take a turn when she meets Ghost, John Walker, and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko). Together, they must take down the corrupt CIA director and stop her plans to create a dangerous new superhuman, “The Sentry.”
The movie explores themes of redemption, teamwork, and what it really means to be a hero.
Final Thoughts on Thunderbolts
Rated PG-13, Thunderbolts hits theaters worldwide on Friday, with a star-studded cast that also includes Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, and Wendell Pierce.
Are you excited for Ghost’s transformation in Thunderbolts? Let us know your thoughts!
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