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Fans Mourn A “Ruined” Comic Book Character, As ‘Thunderbolts*’ Digs Out Past Sorrows

  • May 8, 2025
  • 4 minute read
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Taskmaster in the comics is an unstoppable force, a villain who can mimic anyone’s fighting style, always a step ahead of his enemies. Marvel, however, decided to rewrite the script. In Black Widow

, the character became something entirely different: an emotionless assassin with a mysterious connection to Natasha Romanoff. Gone were the comic’s classic qualities; instead, we got a more tragic, masked figure. It was a shift that took fans by surprise.

Now, O-T Fagbenle has revealed to The Direct

that it originally planned a true-to-comics Taskmaster, with him lined up to play the role.

This version was supposed to feature an African accent and a maniacal, unpredictable edge. But when fans learned of the change, many expressed disappointment, hoping for the classic mimicry and chaos they loved. Instead, Fagbenle’s Taskmaster was scrapped in favor of a more subdued character, leaving fans wondering what could have been.

In Thunderbolts*,

Taskmaster (Antonia Dreykov), played by Olga Kurylenko, is back, but this time with a chance at redemption. She is no longer just a mindless killer but part of a team of reformed villains, struggling to define who she really is. It is a fresh chapter, but one that will likely involve plenty of fight scenes and some unexpected twists along the way.

Read More: Marvel Fans Cry of ‘Betrayal’ as ‘Thunderbolts’* Cast Changes Movie Title Days After Its Hit Release

Redemption arc or not, fans are far too busy mourning the classic Taskmaster they were promised but never received on screen

Comic fans mourn the mimic master that never was

Comic book fans were dealt a crushing blow when it was confirmed that Marvel Studios scrapped their original Taskmaster plan. The version fans had hoped for was chaotic, charismatic, and comic-accurate. Instead, they received Antonia Dreykov, a silent assassin with the personality of damp cardboard. Fans did not just dislike the switch, they practically launched a search party for the scrapped version. The disappointment still lingers like a bad CGI effect in a Phase One film.

When O-T Fagbenle was cast in Black Widow

, fans immediately assumed he would play Taskmaster. The pieces seemed to fit. Theories flooded social media, memes were created, and fans celebrated their genius prematurely. Then Marvel revealed the twist, and those same fans found themselves both wrong and technically right. Fagbenle was supposed to be Taskmaster, just not anymore. This revelation only deepened the outrage. Fans felt betrayed by a plot twist they predicted.

Antonia Dreykov’s return in Thunderbolts*

, a film even praised by Disney’s CEO for reigniting Marvel’s cinematic presence

, presents a fresh opportunity to revive a character still stuck in reboot limbo. This version of Taskmaster could be getting a much-needed slate overhaul, offering hope for fans who are still waiting for a true-to-comic transformation. If not, the online reactions will hit harder than any Vibranium shield. One hopes this version of Taskmaster remembers more than just combat styles, maybe some charisma too.

Read More: The ‘Thunderbolts*’ 2025 Release Date Shatters a Decade-Old Marvel Trend, Instilling New Hopes for the MCU

What decision do you think Marvel should take regarding Taskmaster? Share your thoughts!

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