THUNDERBOLTS: 5 MCU Heroes Who Should Break Bad And Join The Villainous Team

Marvel Studios has confirmed that a Thunderbolts movie is in the works, and while we have an idea of some villains who will join the group, there are a handful of heroes who could also be a good fit...

By JoshWilding - Aug 19, 2022 03:08 PM EST

Filed Under: Thunderbolts

During this year's San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios confirmed that Thunderbolts will be released in theaters on July 26, 2024. Jake Schreier is helming the movie that we're guessing will revolve around a team of "heroes" assembled by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

U.S. Agent, Yelena Belova, and Baron Zemo seem like obvious candidates for that group, but we have a feeling some familiar heroes might also be among the team's ranks.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has quite a few anti-heroes, and whether these characters descend into villainy, are misled into thinking they're doing the right thing, or simply believe they're there to keep an eye on the bad guys, all of the characters featured here could add a lot to this team (and we think they could be major players in this shared world moving forward).

To see which heroes we think should break bad and join the Thunderbolts, simply click on the "Next" button below!

5. Hawkeye

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Clint Barton has yet to fully atone for his actions between the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, and if anyone's got dirt on Hawkeye's time as Ronin, it's probably Val.

The Avenger may have put those dark years behind him during last year's Hawkeye, but the archer's past could still catch up with him! Forcing a beloved Avenger to join her team would be a smart move on Val's part, and it would be a lot of fun seeing Clint forced to work alongside those he would normally be setting out to take down.

Along the way, the original Hawkeye can keep them in check and perhaps even teach his fellow Thunderbolts a few things. The fact Clint has a storied history with the team on the page is also a good indication this is where we'll next see Jeremy Renner in the MCU.

4. Bucky Barnes

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Bucky Barnes is clearly done with being manipulated, so something tells us Val won't be able to force him into joining her Thunderbolts. However, we can see him attempting to be part of their ranks for noble reasons, even if it's just to keep an eye on John Walker and Baron Zemo.

We're assuming the team will be made up villains posing as heroes, but if they are actually anti-heroes and those looking for a second chance, then this group would be a perfect fit for Bucky. He probably doesn't see himself as Avengers material, and we could quite easily picture him leading this team into battle...and butting heads with U.S. Agent, of course.

There's always a chance there are plans for Bucky in Captain America: New World Order, but Thunderbolts actually feels like a better fit for the former Winter Soldier.

4. The Vision

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The Vision brought back from the dead by S.W.O.R.D. was clearly not the same Vision who died at Thanos' hands five years prior. While Westview's Vision restored his doppelganger's memories, the fact the synthezoid flew off without even checking on Wanda Maximoff indicates he's not himself.

Yes, Vision has his memories again, but with no Soul Stone, we have a feeling his emotions are gone. This would line up with comic books where an emotionless, colourless Vision ended up joining the West Coast Avengers. In the MCU, however, we think it's far more likely the hero joins the Thunderbolts.

It would be fascinating seeing a Vision who believes he's doing the right thing and has no real response to the lack of morals some of his teammates have. This team-up could help restore who he once was or send him down a darker path...either way, we'd like to find out!

2. Moon Knight

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When it comes to a hero who could quite easily be manipulated into joining the Thunderbolts, look no further than Moon Knight. While Marc Spector and Steven Grant may have made peace with each other, Jake Lockley is still out there and could be the personality who ends up kicking ass and taking ~~names~~ lives as part of Val's "superhero" team.

Marvel Studios still hasn't confirmed plans for Moon Knight season 2, and if the character is about to make the leap to the big screen, Thunderbolts may be the place to do it.

Moon Knight has never been much of a team player, but this movie could serve as a fantastic platform to better explore who Jake is and what this hero's place in the MCU will be moving forward. Marc and Steven believe themselves powerless, remember, so that third personality does seem the most likely candidate.

1. Daredevil

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Between his appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, it's clear Marvel Studios has big plans for Daredevil. Echo is believed to be next for the Man Without Fear, while it's already been confirmed that he'll take centre stage in the 19-episode Daredevil: Born Again.

Given when that series is set to arrive on Disney+, we think it's probably unlikely that Matt Murdock will be part of this team. However, we do think he would be a fun addition to the group, especially as his morals are likely to be far stronger than many of the other members of this group.

It's the character interactions that would be the most fun, though we would love to see Daredevil brought back to the big screen as part of a team as important as this one. If not Thunderbolts, though, fingers crossed there are plans for 'ol Hornhead in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.

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50 Comments

1 2

Spike101 - 8/19/2022, 3:03 PM

Bills are due I guess?

AzorAhai - 8/19/2022, 3:05 PM

@Spike101 - Up next... "Five Bills I have paid, and 3 are still due" by Josh

Spike101 - 8/19/2022, 3:09 PM

@AzorAhai - 😂😂😂

thewanderer - 8/19/2022, 3:13 PM

@Spike101 - I feel dumber for opening this link.

I also feel like I'm enabling someone in need of an intervention.

MrDandy - 8/19/2022, 3:06 PM

Winter Soldier and White Vision could work. No to everyone else on here.

Origame - 8/19/2022, 3:08 PM

@MrDandy - eh. Bucky already had his redemption arc.

Moon knight at least has the lockley personality.

thewanderer - 8/19/2022, 3:15 PM

@MrDandy - I'd only be interested in Bucky if Walker was also on the team and they butt heads throughout the movie.

Origame - 8/19/2022, 3:06 PM

Moon knight and vision are all I like.

And you've made an enemy for life for putting daredevil as number 1.

FireandBlood - 8/19/2022, 3:11 PM

Putting Daredevil on this list is straight blasphemy!

bkmeijer1 - 8/19/2022, 3:15 PM

Only one I can see joining is White Vision, but not necessarily because he's breaking bad. He'll probably have some deep philosophical reason for it

UXASIS - 8/19/2022, 3:17 PM

I mean arrows kill people, so it wouldn't be the end of the world for Hawkeye to become an anti-hero (he was a Thunderbolt in the comics).

Bucky and Whision fit too.

Moon Knight would go more for Midnight Sons, unless he would be a member of both teams: Moonie for MS and Mr. Knight for Thunderbolts (tho SteVen's cute personality doesn't totally fit a murderer as opposed to the face-carving comic version).

Daredevil is a no for me, unless he had a really bad day (as in S3), but he doesn't seem so broken (yet).

My favorite picks for Thunderbolts would be:

A new version of Red Hulk

And after introduced Elektra (from Iron Fist) and Agent Venom (hopefully we get him sometimes).

UXASIS - 8/19/2022, 3:19 PM

@UXASIS

It would be pretty cool if Thunderbolts had Bullseye who would somehow cosplay for Daredevil (maybe to destroy his legacy).

Wilson Bethel and Elodie Yung must come back!

bkmeijer1 - 8/19/2022, 6:04 PM

@UXASIS - seeing Bullseye on the team would be pretty great, and could especially work if he's reintroduced in Born Again.

As for Red Hulk, I think they can alway go with the Robert Maverick version. Would be a nice surprise, since we'll expect Ross to be Red Hulk (but cannot be for obvious reasons).

KWilly - 8/19/2022, 3:17 PM

Yeah... No? None of these heroes should join the Thunderbolts. The only "hero" that should be in Thunderbolts is Yelena's Black Widow.

bkmeijer1 - 8/19/2022, 6:11 PM

@KWilly - agreed. She's probably not done with Val yet, so it makes sense for Yelena to be there if Val is too

MyCoolYoung - 8/19/2022, 3:19 PM

Within their current characterizations and not based on if they were thunderbolts in the comics, none of these would make sense.

Clint is retired, Bucky worked too hard to be good, vision has his memories back, Daredevil is well him, and Marc is too conflicted to do the bidding of another handler

malschla - 8/19/2022, 3:22 PM

Again, I feel like people are forgetting what made the original Thunderbolts arc so awesome… I don’t see how this is going to translate. At this point, they’re treating this like a Marvel version of Suicide Squad.

Forthas - 8/19/2022, 3:30 PM

Should be Batroc, Taskmaster, Razorfist, and Ghost.

Forthas - 8/19/2022, 3:55 PM

@Waddles - Does Hammer have a super suit or technology that would allow him to fight...in the comics?

1 2

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THUNDERBOLTS: 5 MCU Heroes Who Should Break Bad And Join The Villainous Team

Marvel Studios has confirmed that a Thunderbolts movie is in the works, and while we have an idea of some villains who will join the group, there are a handful of heroes who could also be a good fit...

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4. Bucky Barnes

4. The Vision

2. Moon Knight

1. Daredevil

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