Not Just Another Assistant: Why 'Thunderbolts' Mel Could Be the Next MCU Star
The movie director gives major hints.
Did Marvel just sneak in a major superhero without anyone noticing? If you blinked during Thunderbolts, you might’ve missed one of the most intriguing setups in recent MCU history — and no, we’re not talking about Sentry.
We’re talking about Val’s assistant Mel, played by Geraldine Viswanathan, who just might be a future fan-favourite.
Though Mel didn’t suit up or blast anyone with superpowers, director Jake Schreier has all but confirmed that she’s not just your average background character.
In an interview with Comicbook Movie, Schreier hinted that Mel is, in fact, Melissa Gold — better known to comic readers as Songbird, a former villain turned iconic member of the Thunderbolts.
"I think we all wanted… to make sure that all the characters there were hints towards deeper connections within the MCU," said Schreier.
Translation: nothing in Marvel is accidental, and if Mel’s rocking a bird-shaped necklace in the final act, there’s a reason. Schreier and his team knew she wouldn’t be suiting up yet, but they planted the seed — and Songbird fans are already singing.
In the comics, Melissa Gold debuted as Screaming Mimi — a villain with a sonic scream powerful enough to hypnotise, destroy, and even build. Eventually rebranded as Songbird, she became a cornerstone of the Thunderbolts, and even joined the New Avengers during the Civil War era.
The MCU’s version, so far, is stripped-down — no sonic blasts or flight just yet. But Schreier’s careful wording and that not-so-subtle necklace suggest we’re only seeing the beginning. "There are places these things could go later" he teased. And we all know Marvel loves to play the long game.
