Latest news with #GeraldineViswanathan
Geek Tyrant
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
THUNDERBOLTS* Producer Teases That Geraldine Viswanathan's Mel Will Become Songbird in MCU — GeekTyrant
It looks like there's a good chance that Geraldine Viswanathan's character, Mel, in Thunderbolts* may be on the path to becoming the Marvel Comics anti-hero Songbird. Fans have been piecing together clues since the casting was announced, and now, producer Brian Chapek is fanning those flames with a not-so-subtle nod to a hidden Easter egg. In the film, Mel is introduced as Val's assistant, seemingly just a grounded civilian caught in the middle of the madness. But long-time Marvel readers immediately perked up when her name was revealed as 'Mel,' sparking theories that she might be Melissa Gold, a.k.a. Songbird, a character who started off as the villain Screaming Mimi before becoming a key player on the Thunderbolts team. Now Chapek is nudging fans in that exact direction. In a recent interview, he teased: 'There is a character that fans are trying to figure out is she or is she not — I would say what emblem does she wear that may or may not hint at this character's larger identity.' And sure enough, eagle-eyed fans have spotted Mel sporting what appears to be a songbird necklace in one scene. Even so, Thunderbolts* doesn't give Mel any superhuman traits or powers, at least, not yet. What it does give her is an internal struggle and a moral tug-of-war, which is similar to Gold's comic book arc. Geraldine Viswanathan, for her part, isn't confirming anything. But she did share some insight into Mel's conflicted role in an interview with Collider: 'It felt very clear what to track, and it was really just about that internal struggle, but also what makes her pop is you don't really know where her head's at because you're not really following her, but she then ends up driving a lot of the plot. She is also kind of instigating big things. She brings them to the Avengers Tower… Even just saying that now, it's like, that's so cool! But we just had to really trust that it's a very real thing when you work for somebody and you're like, 'Wait, are they bad? I want to do good I think.' We talked a lot about Jake and his assistant, and that dynamic felt like hopefully it would pop. But I think just trusting that maybe audiences weigh in a little bit, or that she's a normal girl, and it's a very relatable situation that she's in." So, it sounds like Marvel is laying the groundwork for something bigger with this character and I imagine we'll see where that goes in Avengers: Doomsday . Would you want to see Geraldine Viswanathan evolve into Songbird in a future MCU project?
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Scoop alert: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Geraldine Viswanathan dish on their roles in Marvel's 'Thunderbolts'
Geraldine Viswanathan and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in a scene from 'Thunderbolts'. Image: Supplied In her over four-decade career in Hollywood, Julia Louis-Dreyfus firmly planted her feet in comedy, be it for a TV series or film. That she is at the helm of 'Thunderbolts', the 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is surprising and fascinating at the same time. Of course, when I was offered a virtual interview opportunity with the veteran actress and newcomer Geraldine Viswanathan, I immediately agreed. Seriously, Louis-Dreyfus is a legend, a fact 'Seinfeld' fans will agree with. As CIA director, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine's ambiguous morality will likely surprise viewers, as she operates in the gray area between good and evil. Viswanathan portrays Mel, Valentina's innocent assistant, who grapples with her superior's unethical tactics. She noted that her popularity in playing characters like Elaine ('Seinfeld') becomes advantageous when agreeing to new projects. 'It's nice to be welcomed, assuming folks are on board, assuming they are willing to take on whatever journey you are proposing, character-wise, story-wise.' In the movie, directed by Jake Shreier, a group of antiheroes is caught in a deadly trap and forced to work together on a dangerous mission, orchestrated by Valentina in a bid to conceal her involvement in a covert program. Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Chris Bauer, Wendell Pierce and David Harbour, are among the ensemble cast in the movie. The veteran actress also sang the praises of the film's crew. 'I would say not just the actors, there's so much expertise across all departments in terms of making a film like this when you consider the production design, the costume design, the stuntwork, the prop design. "Everybody brings their best game to a situation like this. And, in that sense, it feels very old school Hollywood.' The cast of 'Thunderbolts'. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Leveraging her strength, the writers skillfully incorporated humour into the script. Louis-Dreyfus explained: 'There were comedic bits certainly within the script. Both Geraldine and I have a background in comedy, so to speak, so we would bring a comic sensibility to moments in a scene, but it isn't the driver for the movie. 'It's a pretty dramatic and raw film with moments of levity that we certainly helped contribute to that were very intentional, and we very much relied on the direction by Jake Shreier; he knew the tone that he wanted to nail, and I think he did so successfully.' It's safe to say that this role ushers in a new era in Louis-Dreyfus's career, and she was brimming with excitement over it. She admitted, 'When I met with Kevin Feige and Joanna Calo a few years back, they said they wanted me to play this part. But they were going to sprinkle her into other films and TV series with the intention for her to be a part of the whole story later on in this particular film, which they had mapped out. 'So I'm happy that the day has come. And I had more material to sink my teeth into for this particular film, it was very gratifying.' Expanding on her character, she noted: 'In the case of Valentino, we peel back a little on her life to see why she is the way she is and explore the idea of somebody who has this insatiable appetite for power that, for an actor, is a dream. It's just an intriguing characteristic and fun to play around with.' Any MCU release generates a fair amount of hype. When asked what sets this film apart from others, Louis-Dreyfus maintained, 'To a certain extent, it is a callback to old school Marvel in the sense that the majority of the stuntwork is practical. It is not CGI in the film. "There was not a ton of green screen, and everyone is an antihero, so there's a grittiness to all these folks that feels very human. 'And the story itself is based in character, so audiences are drawn in, following the arc of all of these characters.' Louis-Dreyfus and Viswanathan were consummate professionals during our 15-minute chat, and their feedback also highlighted that inclusivity has become a cornerstone in Hollywood. Viswanathan had this to say… Famed for her role in 'Bad Education', the 29-year-old Aussie actress was a bit more reserved during the interview. But she did weigh in on a few things during the press junket. 'I'm grateful that I entered the world in this way, and with Mel. M is also stepping into a new reality, so it felt very organic for me. 'This movie tackles a lot of darker themes. It explores existential dread and trauma, and I think that that feels pretty new in the Marvel Universe. There is a nuance and emotional depth, while having all the action and comedy that you are used to. Just an extra dimension.' She even recalled a precious behind-the-scenes memory from the project. 'Florence hosted a beautiful pool party and made incredible food. She's such a good chef. She's a foodie and a wonderful hostess.'
ABC News
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Geraldine Viswanathan isn't a superhero but she's integral to Thunderbolts*
Geraldine Viswanathan has had a Hollywood ascension most Australian actors can only dream of. Back in the mid-2010s, she was doing what a lot of local creatives have to do early in their careers: collecting the eclectic roles on offer in Australia in hopes that the next one will lead to The Big One. There was a bit part in Loading YouTube content Viswanathan was two weeks into training to be a triple j presenter when she got her call-up for The Big One – a starring role in major studio comedy Blockers, alongside John Cena and Leslie Mann. "It was so wild. I mean, I was stoked to work at triple j and get trained to host," she tells ABC Entertainment. "I remember emailing [former triple j content director Ollie Wards] and being like, 'I think I have to go do this film with John Cena. I don't know when I'll be back but love you!'" Since then, the 29-year-old actor has been quickly climbing the Hollywood ladder. She's starred in everything from Now she's levelling up yet again for a starring turn in Thunderbolts*, the film that might just revive Marvel's muddy modern reputation. Thunderbolts are go It's been a rocky few years for the multi-billion-dollar Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Phase five (that's everything after the Black Panther sequel) of the studio's never-ending plan for world domination delivered critical clunkers but, more worrying for Marvel, it produced films that lost money. Thunderbolts* is the last film of phase five, or rather a bridging film as fans brace for a fourth reboot of the Fantastic Four (this one has Pedro Pascal!) that will kick off phase six. It's a volatile moment in the Marvel timeline: they need a hit and they are banking on a film where the highest-profile character is Captain America's ex-best friend. There were vibes of quiet desperation in the months before the film's release, including a divisive teaser that touted all the talent Marvel had poached from art-house studio A24. Loading YouTube content But Marvel's prayerful roll of the dice has turned out in their favour. Thunderbolts* is being praised as the Geraldine Viswanathan and Florence Pugh at the world premiere of Thunderbolts* in Hollywood. ( Supplied: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages ) It's a surreal time for Viswanathan to jump on the Marvel train, she says. "This movie just feels like such a breath of fresh air. It has that old-school Marvel sensibility but with a kind of nuanced, complex, sort of A24 twist," she says. "To enter the Marvel universe at all is such a dream but then to enter this way, in this company, with this team and these people, it's unbelievable. I feel really proud to represent Aussies in the Marvel Universe. Let's go!" It wasn't a straight shot into Marvel for Viswanathan, who stepped into the human character of Mel after her friend and "When I got the call, I was really sick in bed and my agent was like, 'Jake [Schreier, Thunderbolts* director] wants to call you'. And I was like, 'Why?'" she says. "We got on a Zoom and I was in a sea of tissues. He pitched the movie and Mel to me because you can't read the script before you sign on. "Then, at the end of the call, he asked me if I wanted to do it and I was like, 'Are you asking me to join the Marvel Universe?! Yes, of course!'" Rise of the underling Thunderbolts* is the adhoc name for the ragtag group of c-list superheroes that find themselves unintentionally smooshed together by CIA head Valentina Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, doing Selina Meyer as a supervillain) who is in the middle of an impeachment. "I really identified with Mel and the kind of moral decision that she has to make," Viswanathan says. ( Supplied: Chuck Zlotnick ) Mel comes into the scene as Val's dedicated assistant with an iPad permanently strapped to her hand, always ready to fulfil her bosses every whim — whether it be a good cup of coffee or the termination of "evidence" (real life humans). "[Louis-Dreyfus] is so dedicated to making it as good as possible. She's very precise. She's very thoughtful with language," Viswanathan says. "She's Julia Louis-Dreyfus! She could just show up and cruise but she puts her all into it." As Val's ambitions get more megalomaniacal, Mel begins to question if she's on the moral side of the fight. "It was really exciting to see Mel's arc. It's relatable, especially for young people who are ambitious and smart and want to be a force of good in the world," Viswanathan says. "It's cool that a movie like this would talk about power so explicitly between two women, and that [Mel] kind of ends up as the secret weapon within the Thunderbolts." 'It's all going to be fine' Viswanathan says she'll never forget the day she first stepped out onto a Marvel set. Photo shows Five people dressed as superheroes walk along a city street towards the camera, while looking up. Director Jake Schreier bring his indie film chops to the MCU and delivers a fresh take on the superhero genre that's able to be a crowd-pleaser and explore darker themes in equal measure. "It was this massive scene with hundreds of extras and a helicopter and huge trucks. It was all choreographed before we got there and I had this horrifying thought: 'If I mess this up, all of this has to reset,'" she says. "There's so many moving parts. It felt more like theatre, it was really different to things I've done before, but a really exciting new challenge." So, on the precipice of her biggest project yet, what would Viswanathan say to her younger self, slogging it out on small sets and five-minute stand-up spots? "Keep going, don't stress, it's all going to be fine, it's all going to unfold," she says. "I feel like I was really into unflattering, extremely high-waisted pants at the time so also, maybe invest in some better pants." Thunderbolts* is in cinemas now. Loading YouTube content
Buzz Feed
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
"Thunderbolts*" Geraldine Viswanathan Confesses Messing Up On Set Was "Scary"
Australian actress, Geraldine Viswanathan, has quietly crept onto Hollywood's radar, in recent faves Miracle Workers (2019), Blockers (2018) and You're Cordially Invited (2025). Now, she's stepping up to the MCU plate as a pivotal character in Jake Schreier's superhero smash, Thunderbolts *. Questions are already being asked of her future involvement in the Cinematic Universe and if she'll be returning as bright-haired hero, Songbird. Geraldine's answer is Marvel media training at its finest — which could really mean anything. Ahead of the cinematic release of Thunderbolts*, we sat down with Newcastle-raised Geraldine Viswanathan to confirm (or deny) her future MCU role, chat about the biggest menace on set and her career "WOAH" moment. Here's everything she told us: BFOZ: Growing up in Australia and pursuing acting over here, when it feels so far away from the big lights of Hollywood, what's the moment that made you realise, "Holy shit, I've made it"? Geraldine: I mean, [ Thunderbolts* ]' is kind of crazy and I'm looking at the poster here and I see my name at the bottom and I'm like, "Wow". I feel like it hasn't dawned on me the massiveness of joining the Marvel universe until I've started doing press. But I think also doing Blockers and having our premiere, was such a pinch me full circle moment because I think it was a couple — five years prior to that, I had gone to that same theatre for the Bridesmaids premiere, just as a fan waiting at the barricades to get autographs. And so to be on the other side and have a movie that's premiering at the same theatre felt like a very cool moment. BFOZ: If Marvel dreamed up a new South Asian-Australian superhero, what backstory and powers would they have? Would grow up in Newcastle just like you did? Geraldine: Woah. What a question. You know what? I've thought about this before. I think I was like, wouldn't it be interesting if there was a mixed race superhero who can live in this liminal space between worlds or something like that? Maybe she could shapeshift or time jump or something. But I definitely, would love to see more superheroes from Newcastle. Samir Hussein / Samir Hussein/WireImage BFOZ: Speaking of new heroes, will we be seeing Mel step into her own hero role in the future? Geraldine: 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. Just for your visual reference, here's Geraldine's reaction to the question: Anyways... BFOZ: Back to Thunderbolts*, the ensemble is full of absolute characters. Which cast member was the biggest menace on set? Geraldine: Biggest menace? I feel like everyone was pretty well-behaved because it was so scary when you mess up and they have to reset. But I think David Harbour is a big crack and I think was cracking up the team. So, he might win the award for biggest menace. BFOZ: And finally, in today's world, if you could pick one of these Marvel villains — Thanos, Valentina de Fontaine, Loki, The Green Goblin or Killmonger — to rule, who would it be and why? Geraldine: Oh my god, these are terrible options. No, I don't want any of them to rule to the world, but maybe if I had to choose, I guess Val. I'm staying loyal to my boss. I think she's not all bad. There's some nuance, there's some gray area there, and I love to see a woman in charge, so I'll go with Val. BFOZ: How do you think she would change the world? Marvel Studios / Courtesy of Marvel Studios
Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Thunderbolts' Indian connection: Meet the Australian actor with desi roots who's making her MCU debut
The first reviews for Marvels' Thunderbolts* are out, and after receiving an impressive 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes, fans of the superhero franchise are looking forward to returning to old ways. Leading the film's cast are Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, and more. But one name among the cast, Mel, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine's (portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) assistant in film, played by Australian actor Geraldine Viswanathan. Most of us already know her for her roles in Blockers and Bad Education. All about Geraldine Viswanathan? Geraldine Viswanathan and her younger sibling, Indira Viswanathan, grew up in an Indian-Swiss household. The 29-year-old was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Her father, Suresh Viswanathan, an Indian with Tamil roots, works as a doctor in the nuclear medicine field. While her mother, Anja Raith, is from Switzerland and is a daughter of a filmmaker and professional ballet dancer. Geraldine was just 4 when she appeared in a commercial. When Geraldine turned 15, the family briefly moved to California, where she took her first steps in the industry, securing a manager with hopes of landing Disney or Nickelodeon roles. After appearing in a few commercials and receiving the Heath Ledger Scholarship for comedy and stand-up sketches, Geraldine made her onscreen debut in the 2016 musical comedy Emo the Musical. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO Since then, her acting career has seen steady growth. She became a familiar face thanks to her role as Bonnie in ABC's drama series Janet King. Additionally, she served as the reader for the Australian casting process for Crazy Rich Asians. It wasn't until 2018 that Geraldine had her big break in Blockers, which earned her the label of the film's breakout star. That year proved to be lucky for her as she landed her first Netflix role in The Package and the drama film Hala. After gracing a few magazine covers as a rising star, Geraldine wowed everyone with her acting in the anthology series Miracle Workers and the true-event-based film Bad Education. Her performance in Bad Education earned critical acclaim at the Toronto Film Festival. Geraldine Viswanathan on her MCU role In a recent interview with both Louis-Dreyfus and Geraldine opened up about their boss-assistant relationship. Geraldine was asked about how she landed the role, which came out of the blue when she was sick in bed. She shared, 'I was really sick, and they were like, 'Jake wants to talk to you.' We got on Zoom, and he was being very elusive and vague, trying to explain the script to me.' She explained how they weren't allowed to read the script before signing on for the role. When asked directly if she wanted to join, Geraldine recalled the director asking, 'So, do you want to do it?' Before she knew it, she was calling her parents to tell them she might have just joined the Marvel universe. Speaking about her character in the film, she added, ' I love the way Val cuts Mel off if she tries to insert herself, tell a joke, or hand her coffee in the wrong moment. Those little details were really fun to play with. Or when you say my name wrong.' To which Dreyfus added, 'That was born out of an improvisation, I think, if I remember correctly!'
