Meet Geraldine Viswanathan, Indian-Origin Actor Starring In Marvel's Thunderbolts

Marvel Studios' upcoming film Thunderbolts, is set to be released on May 2, 2025, introducing Indian-origin Australian actress Geraldine Viswanathan to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Known for her standout roles in Blockers, Bad Education and Miracle Workers, Viswanathan's entry into the MCU marks a significant milestone in her flourishing career.

Meet Geraldine Viswanathan

Born on June 20, 1995, in Newcastle, Australia, Geraldine Viswanathan is of Indian-Swiss descent. She gained prominence with her breakout role as Kayla in the 2018 comedy Blockers, where her performance was lauded as 'the film's breakout star' by Refinery29.

Her diverse work include her roles in Bad Education, The Broken Hearts Gallery, and the TBS anthology series Miracle Workers alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi, making her a rising star in the Hollywood.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Geraldine Viswanathan (@yoyogeraldine)

Stepping Into The MCU

Geraldine Viswanathan joins Thunderbolts in a role which was previously held by Ayo Edebiri, who departed the project due to scheduling conflicts arising from industry-wide strikes in 2023.

While specific details about Viswanathan's character remain undisclosed, reports suggest that she will portray a character closely associated with Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

In an interview with ComicBook, Viswanathan expressed her enthusiasm about joining the MCU, stating:

"I don't know. Who knows what goes on behind the scenes, but I've always wanted to join the universe in whatever capacity, and this just came up. There's a lot of ... It was destiny. Destiny called me on the phone and I picked up and I said, 'I'll be there.' Very excited." 

Her casting has also sparked several fan theories, with some speculating that she might portray the character Songbird, a role long anticipated by Marvel enthusiasts. However, Viswanathan has remained silent about such speculations.

What Should You Expect From Thunderbolts?

Thunderbolts brings together a team of anti-heroes and reformed villains from the MCU, including Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes, David Harbour's Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell's US Agent, Hannah John-Kamen's Ghost, Olga Kurylenko's Taskmaster, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus's Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

The film explores themes of redemption and complex team dynamics, with Valentina orchestrating missions that blur the lines between heroism and villainy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Geraldine Viswanathan (@yoyogeraldine)

Viswanathan's addition to this ensemble not only diversifies the cast but also introduces a fresh dynamic to the narrative. Her previous roles have showcased her ability to balance humour and depth, qualities that are likely to enrich the Thunderbolts storyline.

As anticipation builds for Thunderbolts, fans hold their breaths for Viswanathan's debut in the MCU, curious to see how her character will influence the team's journey and what surprises Marvel has in store.