Christian Joseph, the 9-year-old TikTok sensation better known to his 1.6 million followers as “The Rizzler,” made a memorable appearance at a special screening of Marvel Studios’ upcoming film Thunderbolts on Wednesday, April 30. The event, hosted by The Cinema Society, took place at iPic Theater in New York City and featured a red carpet lined with stars from the film.
Joseph, who rose to viral fame in 2023 with a Halloween video dressed as Black Panther, arrived in costume once again—this time dressed as Red Guardian, the character portrayed by David Harbour in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although Harbour did not attend the screening, Joseph paid tribute to the actor with his signature charm and signature “rizz face,” a now-iconic pose where he strokes his chin and stares confidently into the camera.
Photos from the event showed Joseph posing alongside several cast members from the film, including Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wyatt Russell, Geraldine Viswanathan, Hannah John-Kamen, and director Jake Schreier. True to his social media persona, Joseph brought humor and charisma to the red carpet, captivating both fans and press alike.
@itztherizzler Name the movie‼️🍿🎥🎬
In a TikTok video posted after the event, Joseph fully embraced his alter ego. Wearing the Red Guardian suit, he approached the theater’s ticket counter and declared, “Two tickets please.” When the employee asked, “For what movie?” Joseph simply gestured to his costume, hoping the implication was obvious.
The video has already begun making the rounds online, with fans praising Joseph’s comedic timing and enthusiasm for the Marvel franchise. The young influencer first gained attention after a video of him commenting on trick-or-treaters while dressed as Black Panther received more than 2.5 million likes. Since then, his “rizz face” has become a social media staple, especially among Gen Alpha audiences.
The term “rizz,” which Joseph proudly embodies, was named Oxford’s Word of the Year in 2023. A shortened form of “charisma,” the slang word is used to describe a person’s charm or ability to attract others—often in a flirtatious or playful way. According to Oxford University Press, the term was selected following an extensive public vote and analysis by language experts, who noted its rise in pop culture and online vernacular.
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As Joseph’s star continues to rise, he joins the promotional buzz surrounding Thunderbolts, a film that promises to be one of Marvel’s biggest ensemble pieces yet. Based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name, Thunderbolts follows a group of anti-heroes forced to work together under high-stakes circumstances.
The film reunites several familiar faces from previous Marvel titles, including Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
New additions to the cast include Lewis Pullman, who portrays a powerful and enigmatic character named Sentry, and Geraldine Viswanathan in an undisclosed role. Thunderbolts is directed by Jake Schreier, best known for his work on Paper Towns and several acclaimed music videos. The film is produced by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and is expected to explore darker themes, character redemption, and the consequences of unchecked power.
Scheduled for release on May 2, 2025, Thunderbolts is part of Marvel’s Phase 6 lineup and represents a tonal shift for the franchise, focusing on morally complex characters rather than traditional superheroes.
For Joseph, attending the screening was more than just a photo op—it was a chance to engage with a franchise that has helped shape modern pop culture and connect with a new generation of fans. His presence not only reflected Marvel’s broad cultural impact but also the evolving relationship between social media influencers and Hollywood’s biggest properties.
The event drew attention not just for the film but also for its unexpected moments, such as a young TikTok star stealing the spotlight from established names. Fans online praised Marvel for embracing a fun, lighthearted moment during a press event that’s typically all business.
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Though he may not appear in the film itself, Joseph—aka The Rizzler—proved that charisma knows no age. As Marvel continues to expand its cinematic universe, young fans like Joseph serve as a reminder of the lasting appeal and cross-generational power of superhero storytelling.
Thunderbolts opens in theaters nationwide on May 2, 2025. The film is expected to be a major box office draw and could pave the way for future crossover events in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
