THUNDERBOLTS* May Be A Sequel To Surprise MCU Movie; New Set Photos Reveal "Super Secret" Prison

THUNDERBOLTS* May Be A Sequel To Surprise MCU Movie; New Set Photos Reveal "Super Secret" Prison THUNDERBOLTS* May Be A Sequel To Surprise MCU Movie; New Set Photos Reveal "Super Secret" Prison

A new rumour suggests Thunderbolts* has a surprising similarity to Captain America: Civil War, while we also have set photos featuring what's supposedly a mysterious prison of some sort. Check it out...

News
By JoshWilding - May 25, 2024 03:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Thunderbolts

Does the * in Thunderbolts*'s title = Black Widow 2?

According to trusted scooper Alex Perez, "Thunderbolts* is "just a Black Widow sequel the same way Civil War was a Captain America sequel... Yelena’s handling Red Room remnants and then gets sidetracked with Thunderbolts*."

Seeing as Thunderbolts* features characters like Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and Taskmaster, we've long suspected it would be heavily tied to Black Widow. Bucky and U.S. Agent's presence on the team also creates a significant link to The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. 

The Hollywood Reporter may have even confirmed this in a new piece which reveals, "[Florence] Pugh, 28, earned an eight-figure payday for two Marvel films, first the Scarlett Johansson-led Black Widow then Thunderbolts, where she will be at the top of the call sheet."

While many fans are disappointed to see the classic Thunderbolts roster sidelined in the MCU, Yelena is incredibly popular and certainly not a bad choice of character to put the spotlight on here. 

We also expect the * in the movie's title to lead to a big reveal...and one which potentially sets the stage for the Dark Avengers to assemble.

"[It's] wonderful," Pugh previously said of her MCU return in Thunderbolts*. "When we shot Black Widow, we thought we were going to shoot the next movie relatively sooner than we did, and it’s just been this thing that’s been looming, that we’ve been waiting to shoot at some point in the future, and now it’s finally happening, so it feels surreal, but it's coming back. Yelena's coming back."

Some new photos from the Thunderbolts* set have also been revealed and while no cast members have been spotted, these are bound to get fans talking...

Confirmed cast members for Thunderbolts* include Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Florence Pugh as Yelena Boleva, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, and Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster.

Recently, Geraldine Viswanathan replaced Ayo Edebiri in an undisclosed role, while Lewis Pullman has taken over as The Sentry following Steve Yeun's shock departure from the movie. Both he and Edebiri are said to have left due to scheduling issues.

Written by Eric Pearson, Lee Sung Jin, and Joanna Calo, and directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* is currently set to be released in theaters on May 2, 2025.

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ZaphodDent42
ZaphodDent42 - 5/25/2024, 3:27 AM
My prediction is that they'll eventually be known as "Thunderbolts Avengers" combining both names.
LSHF
LSHF - 5/25/2024, 3:47 AM
@ZaphodDent42 - Or ThunderAvengerbolts? 🤪
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/25/2024, 4:04 AM
@ZaphodDent42 - I could see them change it to Dark Avengers if they want to make it a team of Avengers. And if that's the case, I hope the West Coast Avengers will be official too
lvcl
lvcl - 5/25/2024, 7:08 AM
@ZaphodDent42 -

Thunderbolts without Baron Zemo?

This is more Disney bullshit cause the scriptwriters don't know the original source and they don't like comics and they don't respect it.

But the most important thing in the movie is that Yelena & Allegra will lead the movien and the team.

This is just more woke material
edge13
edge13 - 5/25/2024, 7:17 AM
@lvcl - when is the last time Thunderbolts lead by Zemo?
Nothing to do with Woke,even in comics,Thunderbolts haven't been Zemo team for a long time.
kg8817
kg8817 - 5/25/2024, 7:17 AM
@bkmeijer1 - I honestly cannot see how they’re going to pull off the name “Dark Avengers” in the MCU’s world and audiences not straight up laugh.

You’re going to expect the audience to believe that people in that world would trust a team of superheroes named “the DARK Avengers”?
RitoRevolto
RitoRevolto - 5/25/2024, 7:29 AM
@bkmeijer1 - I'm betting by the end of the movie the title card will simply read "The Avengers." The "Dark" could be implied. We already know Ross wants to make a new team with his oversight, butts heads with Sam about it in Cap 4. This will likely be that team.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/25/2024, 7:40 AM
@kg8817 - yeah, that name never really made sense to me either. Not even in the comics. Something like Secret Avengers or even Black (Ops) Avengers makes more sense
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/25/2024, 7:41 AM
@RitoRevolto - I'm not sure about that. I think they will go by Dark Avengers. If they're giving them another name, I think USAvengers works best.
newhire13
newhire13 - 5/25/2024, 8:52 AM
@lvcl - stfu with the woke nonsense. You sound like a moron
newhire13
newhire13 - 5/25/2024, 8:56 AM
@kg8817 - They don’t have to be called Dark Avengers in the actual movie 😂 It’s just the movie title. Like in the first 2 movies the turtles were never referred to as Ninja Turtles yet that’s the title of the movies
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 5/25/2024, 8:58 AM
@bkmeijer1 - Also Dark Avengers had even less similarities to this team than they do to a singular version of Thunderbolts. For one Dark Avengers was created by Norman Osborn and Sony owns the rights to him thus highly unlikely to have any role in it. In regard to members of the comic Dark Avengers the only one in the film we know of is Sentry. So sure it can be percieved as a black ops and/or evil Avengers team but having a label like Dark Avengers wouldn't make much sense and even if they sort of went there the reveal would only likely be this is the foundation point of a new Avengers team, no more than that if heading down that path.

Dark Avengers member list
Norman Osorne
Victoria Hand
Luke Cage
Ares (John Aaron)
Captain Marvel (Noh-Varr)
Hawkeye (Bullseye)
Hawkeye (Trickshot)
Hulk (Skaar)
Ms. Marvel (Superia)
Sentry (The Void)
Spider-Man (Ai Apaec)
Spider-Man (Venom)
Wolverine (Daken)
Wolverine (Tomi Shishido)
Ms. Marvel (Moonstone)
Scarlet Witch (Toxie Doxie)
Ragnarok
Slotherin
Slotherin - 5/25/2024, 9:16 AM
@lvcl - MCU has always taken liberties... First Avengers line up, Cap leading the Howling Commandos instead of Fury...
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/25/2024, 9:50 AM
@Apophis71 - yeah, that's kinda why I think USAvengers might work better. There's even less of a connection to the comics as with Dark Avengers, but it sounds better atleast. Thunderbolts still has the best connection though
AlexGSpeaks
AlexGSpeaks - 5/25/2024, 11:57 AM
@bkmeijer1 - Aside from the title, no one in the comics actually referred to them (in universe) as the Dark Avengers. They were the Avengers at the time. The government recognized ones anyway.
Amaru
Amaru - 5/25/2024, 1:01 PM
@lvcl - Is "woke" in the room with you right now kid?
StSteven
StSteven - 5/25/2024, 1:28 PM
@bkmeijer1 - I could see them going with "Dark Avengers" not as a reference to them being evil versions of the Avengers like in the comics, but more as in they do black (or "dark") ops type of assignments for the US government in exchange for forgiveness for their past transgressions.

As for West Coast Avengers, there's enough of them on the West Coast (or at least soon will be with the addition of White Vision and Wonderman) to constitute a separate branch of the Avengers, so that makes sense.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/25/2024, 6:48 PM
@AlexGSpeaks - good point. Even as the comic title it doesn't make sense to me, as it takes away the surprise for the reader.

I could see it work out that way in the movie too. Maybe that's even what the * refers to. We call them Thunderbolts, but in the movie they're called the Avengers.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/25/2024, 6:49 PM
@StSteven - exactly. With a team of super soldier spies, it could work as a covert team. And there are indeed WCA recruits running about. Kinda why I wanna see it
StSteven
StSteven - 5/25/2024, 7:40 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Also, keep in mind there's going to be a team of "Young Avengers" (or whatever they end up calling them). So it's like the comics where you have different branches of the Avengers in different locations (the Dark Avengers (or whatever) will likely be located in D.C. if they are in fact a special ops team for the government).

With that in mind, I would expect the same thing to end up happening with the X-Men: first they'll introduce a single team, which could end up splitting into a blue and gold team, then you have X-Factor (which could be the mutant team that works for the government) and eventually X-Force, which is a black ops team of mutants like the Dark Avengers.

Overall it makes sense as a way to pump out various flavors of team-up movies without them having to be the culmination of an entire saga's worth of movies (which you can do as well which are again akin to the event series in the comics).
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/26/2024, 3:21 AM
@StSteven - kinda forgot about Young Avengers. But yeah, they could create different team. Could Midnight Sons and Excalibur be subs to both respective teams as well.
StSteven
StSteven - 5/26/2024, 3:42 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Eh, personally I would rather see MS and Excalibur be separate teams, as they are both based on fairly different "concepts" than either the Avengers (general superheroes/gods/super soldiers/really smart people) or the X-Men (mutants) being as MS is scary supernatural stuff based and Excalibur is more like protecting the Multiverse/not scary magical stuff based (to the best of my knowledge as I never really got into Excalibur).

Beside, we don't need everything reduced to just 2 teams anyway (imagine what a potential mess the inevitable A vs. X movie would be). Also, having multiple teams allows for some to be used more frequently (like the Avengers or the X-Men) while others like MS can only assemble when there is a special need and then just go their own way. Excalibur I could see as being a consistent team if for no other reason than being the main team in the UK.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/26/2024, 4:59 PM
@StSteven - good points. Think that also goes for teams like Alpha Flight. AvX down the line would be a cool Saga capper too imo
StSteven
StSteven - 5/26/2024, 5:36 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Agreed on AF. As far as AvX goes, it could be the culmination of a new Phoenix Saga that DOESN'T revolve around Jean Grey and instead is the Phoenix 5 and leads up to AvX (they can always do JG later if they really want to). By then they should have all the 5 in MCU canon (they already have Namor), so let that lead into AvX. This would probably be after the first "Mutant Saga" or could even be the culmination of the MS, which would be one hell of a way to end that saga.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/27/2024, 1:29 AM
@StSteven - the first Mutant Saga? I'm kinda thinking the Saga after this is gonna be the crossover saga with DC.

A crossover could either an official collaboration after their first Saga or by using the DC characters that enter the public domain in the 2030s.
StSteven
StSteven - 5/27/2024, 4:08 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Well rumors are that after the Multiverse Saga the next one will be the "Mutant Saga" (or something to that effect), which will shift the focus from the Avengers to the X-Men (and related characters) with the F4 playing a considerable role and the Avengers a lesser part, which makes sense to me.

So what I was getting to was that depending on what they have planned as the arc for the "Mutant Saga" (which I'm pretty sure is going to focus on Sinister especially given the focus that he's had and will continue to have in "X-Men '97"), that could either culminate in something like AvX as the big ending or they could hold off on that for another saga.

As for Marvel vs. DC, that would be such a huge project that I think that IF it were to happen (and it certainly could), both Marvel and DC would want to take their time to make sure their respective universes were where they wanted them before it happened. So with that in mind and given that the DCU is just starting and the MCU is likely going to do something of a reset (or soft reboot, whatever) after Secret Wars while also adding in the X-Men and the F4 (all of which is going to kinda be like restarting but not), I think it's going to be many years before both studios would feel that they have everything in place for such a HUGE crossover, because it doesn't really get any bigger than that.

And to your point about the DC characters entering the public domain, yeah, sure Marvel could use them I guess but I think that they won't out of respect and would want DC fully onboard for a crossover like that. I think you're more likely to see "Super-Man vs. Steamboat Willy vs. Winnie the Pooh" first (damn, I'm sure I just gave someone a BAD idea 😉).
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/27/2024, 4:54 PM
@StSteven - oh yeah, I gotcha now. Kinda read it as if you were expecting two Mutant Sagas.

As for Marvel vs DC, I could see the Phases 7-9 and Chapters 1-3 wrap around the same time. It could lead into a crossover, but someone else might be first.

A crossover movie with every superhero in the public domain would be cool. Just imagine Batman, Superman, Zorro, Captain America, Doc Sacage etc. vs Dracula and Frankenstein's monster.
StSteven
StSteven - 5/27/2024, 6:28 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Yeah, I shouldn't have used the word "first". My bad. But I get ya about a crossover of characters in the public domain. I just think that for any Marvel/DC characters they would want to save those for a proper crossover (of course if those characters are in the public domain they may not have a choice). Either way, I don't think that either Marvel nor DC are in any hurry to do a crossover, but I'm sure it's being discussed.

That being said. I would be interested in seeing crossovers between non-Marvel/DC characters (or at least lesser known Marvel/DC characters like Doc Savage) like Zorro, Dracula, etc. as long as they are WELL DONE (within a reasonable budget). Not this schlocky shit that third-rate companies are putting out about Winnie the Pooh and Steamboat Willie right now.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/28/2024, 2:25 AM
@StSteven - it's alright, I get it now. You know 2037 is gonna either have a well planned crossover by Marvel and DC, or a bad one like those horror ripoffs. Mark my words
StSteven
StSteven - 5/28/2024, 5:35 PM
@bkmeijer1 - 2037 is oddly specific. Do you know something that the rest of us don't? 😉 Seriously though, that's probably how long it's going to take for not only Marvel and DC to get all their shit in order to have a proper crossover but also for the legal, marketing, etc. Hope I'm still alive by then.

But until then, we always the "Super-Pooh vs. Steamboat Flash" movie to look forward to.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/28/2024, 5:56 PM
@StSteven - it's kinda based on assumptions. Each Phase takes about three years and each Chapter four. Superman, Batman and Captain America enter the public domain in 2036. So maths puts it in 2037.

Until then Marvel and DC can get their shit together and we have other ripoffs to watch. Can't wait for other bad public domain movies.
StSteven
StSteven - 5/28/2024, 6:52 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Okay, that time frame then makes sense. Can't wait for the inevitable "Supperman vs. Baitman vs. Captain 'Murica: Dawn of Just Fish" movie.

Plus you said "maths". Ah, you guys and your pronunciations. Don't forget: we invented English here in 'Murica and we call it "math" damn it! Now, excuse me while I go get myself a cheeseburger and a slice of apple pie while I watch a ball game (that means "baseball" damn it!). 😉
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/29/2024, 2:59 AM
@StSteven - wouldn't maths be right too though, since mathematicS also implies it's plural?
StSteven
StSteven - 5/29/2024, 3:32 PM
@bkmeijer1 - You would think so but it's not. It's just not and that's how it is. "In time, you will know what it's like to lose. To feel so desperately that you're right. Yet to fail all the same. Dread it. Run from it. Math still arrives." ;)
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/29/2024, 4:55 PM
@StSteven - I hate that the thing about numbers also is a thing about semantics. I'm outta here before it arrives
StSteven
StSteven - 5/29/2024, 5:30 PM
@bkmeijer1 - I think that if we could all just agree to go back to communicating through a series of grunts and hand gestures we would be the better for it. No one in my family is a morning person so that's basically how we communicate in the mornings when we're getting our oldest daughter up and ready for school and it's been working just fine for us so far. ;)
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/30/2024, 1:28 AM
@StSteven - *gestures agreeably*
StSteven
StSteven - 5/30/2024, 6:06 PM
@bkmeijer1 - *grunt grunt*
TheManWithoutFear
TheManWithoutFear - 5/25/2024, 3:32 AM
I love Yelena so keeping her as the lead is a good thing in my opinion.

But I don't really have a clear picture of why this is called Thunderbolts.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/25/2024, 4:05 AM
@TheManWithoutFear - yeah, Dark Avengers would've fit better imo. It's pretty much the government tasking a Nick Fury substitute to form an alternative team to the Avengers
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