Taskmaster died in "Thunderbolts" to raise the emotional stakes of the film and to introduce real tension among the characters. Director Jake Schreier explained that the movie felt "a little bloodless" before deciding to kill off Taskmaster early on to show that any of the characters could die, thus making the story more suspenseful. The death was sudden and cold-blooded, with Ghost shooting Taskmaster point-blank in the head during a fight. This unexpected death emphasized the morally gray, dangerous lives of the characters and helped set the tone for the film. It also prevented the sadness of her death from hanging over the rest of the movie by happening early rather than later. The decision was supported by Marvel Studios leadership to create bold storytelling with real stakes for the Thunderbolts team. Despite fan disappointment, the director praised Olga Kurylenko's professionalism in accepting the role's short lifespan.
