Marvel's Thunderbolts: 10 Things To Expect From The New Team

Thunderbolts has officially been announced as the grand finale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 5. Here are 10 reasons to get hyped for this epic team up of antiheroes and villains.

BY LELAND SCOGGINS

The Marvel Studious presentation at San Diego Comic Con was an embarrassment of riches with the announcement of numerous films and television shows for MCU's Phases 5 and 6. Some may have been surprised to learn that Phase 5 will wrap up with a Thunderbolts film rather than an Avengers sequel. However, Thunderbolts has already been set up and hinted towards in several Marvel projects, and the film is a natural fit for franchises post-Endgame landscape.

Often referred to as Marvel's Suicide Squad, the team's first comic appearance was in The Incredible Hulk #449. Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley are credited with the team's creation. The film is slated to release July 26, 2024. Jake Schreier (Paper Towns, Robot & Frank) is reportedly set to direct Thunderbolts, with Eric Pearson (Thor: Ragnarok, Black Widow) penning the script, and Kevin Feige producing.

The Machinations of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine

The plots and schemes of Julia Louis-Dreyfus's Valentina Allegra de Fontaine are already underway in the MCU. In the Black Widow (2021) post-credit scene, she manipulates Yelena Belova into thinking Clint Barton was responsible for Natasha Romanoff's death. It is implied that the two have a preexisting relationship. In The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (2021), she recruits John Walker for mysterious purposes. Her role in the Thunderbolts may be akin to Nick Fury's role in the first Avengers movie. If the character continues to recruit morally gray characters in upcoming MCU projects, it may imply that the Thunderbolts will operate under her leadership.

Baron Zemo

The team's leader in the comics already has a rich history in the MCU. With appearances in Captain America: Civil War (2016) and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (2021) already under his belt, fans will be familiar with actor Daniel Bruhl's take on the villainous Baron Zemo. In the comics, Zemo is responsible for founding the Thunderbolts, and stocking the team with villains mascaraing as heroes. This may not be the case in the film adaptation, but Zemo's presence is still a safe bet.

The Winter Soldier

The Winter Soldier is another established MCU character with an extensive history alongside the Thunderbolts. Sebastian Stan appearing on the film's roster would not be shocking, but it may conflict with the current state of the character in the MCU. Long gone are the days of the brainwashed assassin version of the character. Bucky would need to believe that the Thunderbolts are on the side of good in order to join their ranks. This may come true due to the masterful manipulation skills of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine or another attempt at brainwashing at the hands of Baron Zemo. Either way, The Winter Soldier's presence would add some needed star power to the Thunderbolts.

A Tribute to William Hurt's Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross

In the comics, Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross is a founder of one incarnation of the Thunderbolts. He even joins the team as his super villain alter ego the Red Hulk. Unfortunately, this will likely not be the case in the MCU, as William Hurt, who portrayed Ross in several MCU films, passed away in March of 2022 after battling cancer. While it has yet to be ruled out, it seems unlikely that Marvel will recast the role. Ross's legacy will still live on in the film, as it he is likely to be the team's namesake, and it is possible that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine may have some connection with the General.

The Return of Ghost

Hannah John-Kamen's portrayal of Ava Starr a.k.a. Ghost in 2018's Ant-Man and the Wasp was a highlight of the film. With Ghost's fate left open-ended, the character is a prime candidate for a spot on the Thunderbolts. The character's self-serving nature, visually stunning powers, and tragic backstory would make her a compelling and multifaceted addition to the team. While it is not likely that the character will appear in the upcoming Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), Ghost could pop up in any number of projects in Phase 5 or simply make her return in the Thunderbolts film.

Abomination

Marvel has slowly been reintroducing Abomination into their universe. With the villain's first appearance taking place back in Phase 1's The Incredible Hulk (2008), his second appearance in 2021's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and his upcoming appearance in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, it is clear that Marvel still has big plans for Abomination. While it is still too early to tell where the character's head is at, it seemed like Abomination and Wong had a friendly relationship in Shang-Chi, which would cast some doubt on the character siding with a bunch of villains, but She-Hulk may prove that Abomination is still up to no good. Even if the character has turned over a new leaf, his current imprisonment still makes him a prime candidate for the potentially state sponsored Thunderbolts.

Familiar and Unfamiliar Faces

With the Thunderbolts' roster likely to be comprised of a mixture of old and new characters, fans can expect the unexpected. Familiar faces like Yelena Belova, White Vision, Taskmaster, Echo, and even Daredevil are all currently operating independently, and could each be a candidate for the new team. Characters like Moonstone, Charcoal, and Beetle are all a part of the Thunderbolts in the comics, and each of them could appear in the film adaptation.

Norman Osborne and the Dark Avengers

One potential origin story for the Thunderbolts could be adapted from the Secret Invasion comics, in which Norman Osborn dawns a suit of Iron Man armor, takes on the Iron Patriot mantle, and leads his own Avengers team against the invading army of alien Skrulls. Osborn's Avengers were commonly referred to as the Dark Avengers, but they could easily operate under the Thunderbolts name in the MCU. Unfortunately, it is unclear if Marvel Studios would be able to use the Sony owned Osborn in such a way. Alternatives to Osborn such as Justin Hammer or Baron Zemo could fill this role in the film.

Secret Invasion

The first appearance of the MCU's Thunderbolts could be sooner than many would expect. As previously mentioned, there is a precedence for a team of villains turned heroes to emerge from the Secret Invasion storyline. Coincidently, one of Phase 5's first installments is set to be a Secret Invasion show starring Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury. If the Thunderbolts are set to have a presence throughout the phase, this would be an ideal place to introduce the team. It is entirely possible that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is aware of the looming threat of shape-shifting Skrulls, and she is already hard at work assembling a team to face them.

Crossover with Captain America: New World Order

Another film announced at San Diego Comic Con 2022 was Captain America: New World Order. The film releases in May 2024, and it is the last project set to be released before the phase culminates in Thunderbolts. This seems to be the most likely candidate for connective tissue with Thunderbolts. The crossover could be as simple as someone recruiting Sam Wilson's Captain America to join the team in a post credit scene or as complex as the Thunderbolts being the villains for the entire film. The subtitle "New World Order" could be an allusion to the changing of power from the noble Avengers to the untrustworthy Thunderbolts. Depending on the level of connectivity in Phase 5, Captain America: New World Order and Thunderbolts could be two halves of the same story.