Marvel’s Thunderbolts* film is out now, and it is a movie you will not wish to miss.
I’m not simply speaking about how good it’s, both (you should definitely learn my Thunderbolts* evaluation to seek out out why). Indeed, it’s miles extra vital than many individuals notice, particularly relating to establishing future Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) tasks.
Below, I’ll clarify how Thunderbolts* lays the muse for occasions nonetheless to return. I’ll additionally reply your largest questions in regards to the Marvel Phase 5 movie, together with the foremost one on everybody’s minds previous to its launch. That being, what’s with the asterisk in its title?
Full spoilers instantly observe for Thunderbolts*. Turn again now if you have not seen it but.
What does the asterisk imply in Marvel’s Thunderbolts* film?
In quick, the group’s unofficial title, The Thunderbolts, is changed with an official moniker, The New Avengers.
So the rationale for the asterisk within the title is as a result of titular group being renamed within the movie’s remaining scene, which is reconfirmed by The New Avengers’ brand showing throughout the film’s finish credit crawl. From that time on, Yelena Belova and firm will go by their new group title.
That will not be an enormous shock to some MCU devotees. Ever since Marvel added the asterisk to the film’s title, followers have theorized that the ragtag group could be renamed earlier than Thunderbolts* ended.
However, contemplating that the eponymous group contains anti-heroes, reformed villains, and superpowered misfits, some observers advised they’d collectively be known as The Dark Avengers. After all, that is the title given to a bunch of superpowered people in Marvel Comics that features Bob Reynolds/Sentry and John Walker/US Agent, two of the characters who seem on this movie.
The New Avengers’ moniker is a greater match for the group within the MCU, although.
Indeed, The Avengers have not existed since they defeated Thanos in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. Sure, Sam Wilson, the second individual to undertake the mantle of Captain America, plans to reform Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Captain America: Brave New World, however he is but to take action earlier than the occasions of Thunderbolts*.
That delay gives Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine with the right alternative to introduce Belova and firm to the world as The New Avengers.
After defeating Sentry’s darker half (aka The Void) in his Shadow Realm, The Thunderbolts – a reputation derived from Belova’s childhood soccer group that misplaced each match it performed – discover themselves again in New York. Moments after returning to their actuality, they spot the power-hungry de Fontaine and rapidly pursue her down Main Street.
Before they will arrest her for her crimes, although, the group stumbles right into a street-based stay press convention, which de Fontaine has unexpectedly organized. There, the CIA’s duplicitous overlord tells the assembled press (and people watching the stay broadcast) that Belova and firm haven’t solely saved the day, however are additionally a secret undertaking she’s been engaged on.
It’s right here that de Fontaine rechristens the group as The New Avengers. Confused however seemingly received over, the group accepts the brand new title, however not earlier than Belova tells de Fontaine, “We personal you now”.
Essentially, the slippery CIA director has to do as she’s informed now. Otherwise, Belova and co. will come clear about de Fontaine’s precise secret undertaking, which concerned Sentry/The Void’s creation, her makes an attempt to keep away from impeachment, and so many different shady enterprise dealings she made.
How does the titular group defeat The Void?
Through the facility of friendship and hugging!
I joke, in fact – I do not imply to belittle the weighty thematic materials explored in Thunderbolts*. As somebody who’s suffered with psychological well being points previously, I applaud its forged and crew for tackling such troublesome subject material, and for telling a narrative that’ll strike an emotional chord with many cinephiles. It actually did with me.
Anyway, the titular group beat The Void by way of unconventional means. Bob Reynolds’ two superpowered alter-egos are arguably the strongest beings – human race-wise, anyway – in your entire MCU (sorry, Thor and The Hulk). That a lot is made clear by how simply Sentry offers with the remainder of The Thunderbolts throughout their combat within the Watchtower.
The Void is much more highly effective than Sentry. Again, that is evident by the convenience with which his Shadow Realm spreads throughout New York City. (As an apart, I do marvel if Daredevil: Born Again season 2 will reference this occasion. After all, that Disney+ present can also be set in New York, so, except the collection’ sophomore season takes place previous to Thunderbolts*, it will be odd if it did not point out the truth that a large shadow actually overtook town.)
But I digress! In a bid to cease The Void, Belova – and, a while later, the remainder of the group – enter the Shadow Realm, combat their means by their worst recollections and traumas, and ultimately discover Bob, who’s hiding in his ‘greatest’ worst reminiscence.
Working collectively, the group ultimately finds a reminiscence of Bob’s that exhibits he isn’t solely been experimented on by de Fontaine’s OXE analysis group, but additionally marked the primary time that The Void manifested.
Long story quick, The Void overpowers everybody aside from Bob, who ultimately fights The Void for management of his thoughts. As Bob pummels his darker self, although, The Void begins to silently overtake his consciousness with its shadow powers – a transfer that’ll wipe Bob out of existence as a result of The Void may have absorbed him into itself.
In a Hail Mary transfer, Belova – with Red Guardian’s assist – breaks freed from her shackles, parkours her option to Bob, hugs him from behind, and tells him he isn’t alone. The remainder of the group quickly observe and silently embrace Bob, too. Overwhelmed by their humanity and comradeship, Bob breaks down and, in doing so, stops bodily and mentally beating himself up.
Free of the darkness that consumed them, the group is all of a sudden transported again to New York. Belova asks Bob if he is okay, to which he responds that he’s however has no thought what simply occurred. From right here, we lead into the above part’s stuff about de Fontaine, the press convention, and The New Avengers reveal.
Who dies in Thunderbolts*?
There’s just one main character dying in Thunderbolts* and it is one which was foreseen by followers many months earlier than the movie’s launch.
While showing in Thunderbolts* first trailer and preliminary slate of press pictures final August, Olga Kurylenko’s Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster has been conspicuous by her absence in promotional supplies ever since. In reality, within the weeks main as much as considered one of May 2025’s new films arriving in theaters, Taskmaster has been utterly MIA.
Inevitably, that led MCU devotees to suspect she wasn’t lengthy for this world – and that proves to be the case. During the four-way combat between Belova, Walker, Ava Starr, and Dreykov within the movie’s first act, Taskmaster is shot within the head and killed by Starr. It’s an unceremonious means for her to bow out of the MCU and, primarily based on some early fan reactions following the launch of Thunderbolts*, it is a dying that is not gone down effectively with some.
Are there any Marvel cameos in Thunderbolts*?
No. Unlike Bucky Barnes’ shock cameo in Captain America 4, there aren’t any surprising appearances from new or returning MCU characters in Thunderbolts*.
There’s the odd reference or two to those that populate Marvel’s cinematic juggernaut. Wilson is namechecked a few instances. Meanwhile, former US President Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross is briefly talked about by de Fontaine throughout her Senate listening to; the CIA director reminding the assembled elected people of Ross Hulk-ing out in Brave New World.
Those uncommon occurrences apart, you will not see different Marvel characters at any level. Well, except you rely the looks of a sure group by means of an area vessel, however I’m getting forward of myself.
Is Geraldine Viswanathan’s Thunderbolts* character Mel going to turn out to be Songbird within the MCU?
Geraldine Viswanathan’s Mel, aka de Fontaine’s assistant, may not appear to be the superhero sort. In reality, to the common viewer, one of many main supporting characters in Thunderbolts* will likely be seen as nothing greater than de Fontaine’s diligent albeit emotionally torn lackey.
Diehard Marvel followers, although, might decide up on the truth that Mel is not only a easy background character. If you have been paying consideration, you will have seen Mel wears a gold necklace – one which has a gold fowl sitting in a hoop – all through the movie. Hmm, I’m wondering the place we have seen that earlier than…
Alright, sufficient teasing. Some followers consider Viswanathan is one other Marvel hero hiding in plain sight. That’s as a result of, in Marvel Comics, there is a superhero known as Songbird whose civilian identification is – watch for it – Melissa Gold.
Now, this might be nothing greater than a curious case of misdirection on Marvel Studios’ half. That mentioned, the truth that there is a character known as Mel who wears a gold necklace with a songbird hanging on the finish of it’s an excessive amount of of a coincidence in my and lots of different viewers’ eyes.
It may not be a coincidence, both. In a January 2025 chat with ScreenRant, Viswanathan danced round a query about whether or not she’s taking part in Songbird within the MCU.
Asked if she considers herself to be a songbird, she replied: “I do not know what you are speaking about. Never in my life have I heard one thing like that…Oh, look what you’ve got completed. Now, I’m all nervous.”
Don’t be shocked, then, if Viswanathan is not simply confirmed to be taking part in Songbird within the MCU in some unspecified time in the future, however that she’ll additionally return within the subsequent Avengers film as a part of a yet-to-be-revealed second spherical of Avengers: Doomsday forged reveals. Sure, Doomsday might have already got 27 confirmed characters, however there’s all the time room for extra!
Does Thunderbolts* have a mid-credits scene?
There is – and it is a call-back to a humorous line of dialogue Alexei Shoshtakov/Red Guardian utters across the movie’s midpoint.
The scene opens with Shoshtakov loitering within the cereal aisle of a grocery retailer. Striking up a dialog with a fellow shopper, he tries to persuade her to purchase a field of Wheaties, which is adorned with pictures of The New Avengers. He even poses subsequent to the field, hoping that she’ll acknowledge him (FYI, it would not work).
Earlier within the movie, Shoshtakov jokes that, if The Thunderbolts save the day by placing a cease to de Fontaine’s nefarious plans, they may not solely find yourself on the entrance of Wheaties cereal bins, but additionally be the “little kiddie toy” that kids discover among the many cereal itself.
Despite showing to persuade his fellow cereal fanatic to purchase a field of Wheaties, although, Red Guardian would not notice that the individual places it again on a distinct shelf when he isn’t wanting. Clearly, he put them off together with his over-the-top persuasive tone!
What is the Thunderbolts* post-credit scene? And how does it arrange The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Thunderbolts‘ finish credit stinger takes place 14 months after the movie’s main narrative.
Initially, it reunites us with Bucky Barnes, Belova, Walker, and Starr, who’ve returned to The New Avengers’ headquarters – they could be stationed in The Watchtower, aka the constructing previously often called Avengers Tower, however it’s onerous to inform. The quartet is sporting new costumes that look a bit corny (I’m hoping that is right down to the company or business nature of The New Avengers, reasonably than the fits they really determined to put on!).
Anyway, as they enter the primary room of their HQ, they focus on the truth that Wilson/Cap 2.0 is suing them for trademark infringement. Wilson is upset they’ve snatched the Avengers moniker from underneath his nostril. Despite Bucky assembly Wilson to easy issues over, Bucky reveals the dialog “went poorly”.
As the dialog continues, Belova mentions some type of “area disaster,” however, earlier than we be taught extra, Shoshtakov interrupts to say he is common a brand new, garish-looking tracksuit they will all put on. It’s plagued by sponsors, reminiscent of Tide, and has a large ‘New AvengerZ’ brand on the entrance, which Shoshtakov suggests can circumvent Wilson’s makes an attempt to sue them for the group’s new title.
Bob can also be current, however he hasn’t – and would not wish to – use his powers to combat anybody (if it involves that) as a result of he is fearful The Void will return. He says he “did the dishes”, although, so not less than he is of some use.
Suddenly, a knowledge pad held by Belova lights up. Moments earlier, Bucky informed Belova to make use of Earth’s satellite tv for pc system to be taught extra about these “area anomalies” they have been made conscious of. Lo and behold, Bucky’s thought works – and it is right here that Thunderbolts* reveals its ties to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which arrives in theaters on July 25.
The information pad alerts the group {that a} mysterious area vessel has appeared above Earth-616 by way of a multidimensional portal. Belova pulls up the footage on her pill and, as a brief motif of The Fantastic Four’s MCU theme performs, we see the group’s futuristic-looking rocket ship, full with an enormous ‘F4’ brand on it, barreling in direction of Earth.
So, how does this movie’s post-credits scene arrange what’ll occur in The Fantastic Four’s newest big-screen reboot?
The quick reply is: I’m undecided, however we all know First Steps is about in an alternate actuality. That a lot was made clear final April when Marvel teased some key story particulars in regards to the movie after which launched a poster that confirmed to followers that it would not be set within the MCU. So, Marvel’s First Family will exist in one other universe for a lot of First Steps‘ runtime.
“For a lot of” are the important thing phrases right here. Again, we have no thought about how First Steps, aka the primary Marvel Phase 6 film will finish, however followers have speculated that the titular group will likely be compelled to flee their universe – as a result of First Steps‘ principal villain Galactus destroys it, Robert Downey Jr’s Victor von Doom (who’ll be the Big Bad of Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel Secret Wars) casts them out, or for another motive.
Regardless, Thunderbolts* confirms The Fantastic Four will discover themselves within the MCU by the point First Steps‘ story ends. The *ahem* steps taken to get there, although, are nonetheless up for debate.
