Hannah John-Kamen on Her Sizzling Return as Ghost in ‘Thunderbolts*’ – From Villain to Antihero

Forbes contributor Tim Lammers, as documented in Screenshot (550).png, sat down with Hannah John-Kamen ahead of the release of Thunderbolts*, and the actress delivered some electrifying insights into her character’s dramatic evolution. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is no stranger to second chances, but John-Kamen’s Ghost might just be the most compelling redemption arc yet.

From Pain to Power: The Evolution of Ava Starr/Ghost

When we first met Ava Starr in 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp, she was a tortured soul—literally flickering in and out of existence thanks to quantum instability. That pain drove her to desperate, villainous actions. But as John-Kamen explains in the exclusive interview (captured in Screenshot (550).png), Thunderbolts* breathes entirely new life into the character.

“Jake and I really discussed this because it’s a different Ava,” John-Kamen told Lammers. “I’ve really wanted to leave the other Ava behind in a way because in [Ant-Man and the Wasp], I played a girl who was completely riddled with pain and death. That was the driving force behind her bad decision-making.”

Now, John-Kamen says, “Ava has matured and is all grown up and in control of her powers.” The character’s unstable molecular composition—the ability to phase through solid matter like a ghost—is no longer a curse but a weapon she wields with precision. She’s shed the desperation and embraced a hardened, warrior-like exterior.

The Antihero Ensemble of ‘Thunderbolts*’

The film, which hits theaters May 2, 2025, assembles a ragtag crew of former bad guys. Alongside Ghost, the team includes Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko). Thrown together by CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), they’re meant to be eliminated—but instead, they choose to fight back.

According to Screenshot (550).png, the plot kicks off when Yelena is sent to a secret O.X.E. facility to take out a target. She finds Ghost, John Walker, and Taskmaster already there with similar orders—from Valentina, to kill each other. The CIA director needs to scrub her illegal operations, but the team survives and decides to unite. Their mission? Apprehend Valentina and stop her from unleashing a terrifying new superhuman known as “The Sentry.”

John-Kamen describes the emotional core of the film: “What this movie does is it forces us not just to be a team, but gives the ability to look at ourselves and ask for forgiveness so we can actually dream bigger than what we thought we could… that the idea of being a hero isn’t so ridiculous.”

A Costume That Speaks Volumes

One of the most striking changes for Ghost is her new look. Gone is the stark white, ghost-like suit from Ant-Man and the Wasp. In its place: a jet-black commando outfit that screams power and purpose.

“The original Ghost costume was interesting because it was so badass before, but it was also functional,” John-Kamen explained. “The idea was that Ava and Bill Foster had created this costume for her to not flicker away to death. It was more of a practical thing because it was a chamber that she was in.”

But in Thunderbolts*, the costume is designed for Ghost’s abilities. “It’s elevated and has a different power and energy and a different control. It’s scarier and it’s more warrior,” she said.

The actress also shared how suiting up transforms the performance. “As soon as we all get suited up—which is a good 25-minute process—and we return to set, it feels like we have different powers. Your posture changes. Everything you do feels elevated.”

Behind the Scenes with the Cast

The film also brings back Laurence Fishburne as Bill Foster, though his role in Ghost’s journey is less central this time. New additions include Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, and Wendell Pierce. The script, penned by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, and directed by Jake Schreier, gives each antihero room to grow.

John-Kamen’s co-stars have been equally vocal about their characters’ transformations. Florence Pugh, in a separate Forbes interview (also referenced in Screenshot (550).png), joked about pretending to be Tom Cruise during the action sequences. The chemistry between the cast is electric, and early reviews suggest Thunderbolts* delivers the gritty, character-driven spectacle fans crave.

The Road to Redemption

For John-Kamen, the role of Ghost has been a career highlight—and a challenge. Playing a character who evolves from pain-driven villain to a controlled, confident antihero required deep introspection. “She’s got a very hard exterior… and she doesn’t depend on anyone,” the actress said. “She doesn’t need anyone, and she’s in a different rhythm completely, not the rhythm in the original movie.”

This shift in rhythm is mirrored in the film’s tone. Unlike many MCU entries that focus on unambiguous heroes, Thunderbolts* embraces moral gray areas. As Screenshot (550).png notes, “it fully embraces an antihero ideology, which to date has largely been about superheroes.”

The result is a movie that asks tough questions: Can bad people do good things? Can forgiveness lead to heroism? For Ghost, the answer seems to be a resounding yes.

Key Takeaways from the Interview

• Character Arc: Ghost evolves from a villain consumed by pain to a mature antihero in control of her powers.
• Costume Change: The new black commando suit is designed for combat, not survival, and reflects her newfound strength.
• Team Dynamics: The Thunderbolts are forced to work together against a common enemy—Valentina and the Sentry.
• Emotional Depth: The film explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the possibility of becoming a hero.

John-Kamen’s performance promises to be one of the standout elements of Thunderbolts*. With its mix of high-octane action and emotional resonance, the film is poised to be a major event of summer 2025.

Thunderbolts* opens in theaters worldwide on Friday, May 2, 2025. Rated PG-13, it’s a must-see for Marvel fans and anyone who loves a good redemption story.

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