THUNDERBOLTS* Spoilers: 5 Ways *THE NEW AVENGERS Sets Up The MCU's Future

THUNDERBOLTS* Spoilers: 5 Ways *THE NEW AVENGERS Sets Up The MCU's Future

Thunderbolts*, a.k.a. The New Avengers, lays the groundwork for the MCU's future in some big ways, and we're now taking a closer look at how it sets the stage for what comes next. Major Spoilers follow...

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - May 07, 2025 02:05 PM EST
Filed Under: Thunderbolts

Thunderbolts* is now playing in theaters, though we should probably just call it The New Avengers after this past Monday's rebranding. The movie is a more important chapter in the Multiverse Saga than anyone realised, and one of Marvel Studios' best efforts. 

Beyond the fact that this team will assemble in Avengers: Doomsday next year, the movie sets the stage for the MCU's future in quite a few thrilling ways. 

In this feature, we're taking a deep dive into those and what it all means for where the franchise goes next. From changing allegiances to new characters and conflicts, Thunderbolts* The New Avengers has us excited about this Saga in a way we haven't been for some time. 

For a better idea of where we go from here, simply click on the "Next"/"View List" buttons below. 
 

5. From Enemy To Ally

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Valentina Allegra de Fontaine sets out to kill the Thunderbolts in this movie so she can cover up her actions as head of O.X.E. Her Sentry program led to a lot of deaths, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever established the extent of her nefarious activities as CIA Director. 

However, at Val's core, she does appear to want what's best for her country and isn't necessarily beyond the point of redemption. The New Avengers may "own" her, but she can do some good with the team and may prove herself an ally the same way as Nick Fury. 

Thunderbolts* may be where her story ends or the start of a new arc with Val funding this team of New Avengers as she at least attempts to fight the good fight. We hope it's the latter.
 

4. Songbird

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Geraldine Viswanathan is a standout in Thunderbolts* as Mel, Val's put-upon assistant who has a crisis of conscience and both helps and hinders the Thunderbolts during this adventure. 

Beyond a necklace with a bird on it, there's nothing to suggest that this version of Melissa Gold has the same powers as her comic book counterpart. Songbird is a founding member of the Thunderbolts on the page and a force to be reckoned with. 

With Val out to create superheroes like The Sentry, we're sure the unassuming Mel could stumble across something that gives her Songbird's supersonic scream in a future movie. Seeing Viswanathan suit up would be a blast, and the door is open to the possibility.
 

3. Avengers© Vs. New Avengers

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With Val introducing the Thunderbolts to the world as the New Avengers, a post-credits scene picks up with the team 14 months later. They're struggling to win over the public, and Captain America is suing them for using the Avengers name. 

We're not entirely sure what gives Sam Wilson the right when this group is the official Government-affiliated team, but it's clear that his and Bucky's friendship is under strain. That sets up a compelling dynamic heading into Avengers: Doomsday

Having two teams at loggerheads feels similar to Avengers: Infinity War, and they're likely to have their issues before putting those differences aside to take on a greater threat. Crucially, having two teams means we can follow them on divergent paths.
 

2. Earth's Mightiest Hero

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By far the biggest game-changer in Thunderbolts* is Bob, a.k.a. The Sentry. He isn't the Golden Guardian for long before The Void surfaces, but in that time, he's shown to be pretty much invincible and arguably the MCU's most powerful superhero. 

The post-credits scene depowers the hero by revealing that if Bob uses his powers, he risks freeing The Void. Of course, he's bound to suit up in Avengers: Doomsday, but like Captain Marvel, he poses a problem in the sense that he should be able to end any battle single-handedly.

How the Russo Brothers handle that promises to be very interesting. We just hope Bob isn't taken down by Doctor Doom as a means of showing how formidable the villain is; The Sentry deserves better, especially after fighting back against his depression and loneliness.
 

1. An Extra-Dimensional Event

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Thunderbolts*'s post-credits scene ends with the Fantastic Four's rocket heading to Earth-616. There's an ongoing "space crisis," and the team's arrival is described as an extra-dimensional event; clearly, the New Avengers will be the first to encounter them.

Is this a spoiler for The Fantastic Four: First Steps? The scene does appear to suggest that the team's world will be destroyed, and it still makes the most sense for Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom to be their Victor. That built-in history will do a lot for Avengers: Doomsday

We expect the Fantastic Four to make Earth-616 their permanent home after Avengers: Secret Wars, so whether they no longer have a reality to call home or are simply hunting Doom down, this stinger establishes them as major players in the remainder of the Multiverse Saga.
 

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WEAPONXOXOXO
WEAPONXOXOXO - 5/7/2025, 2:25 PM
Apparently Disney is worth billions and billions and billions of dollars.
haters

back to you Bob.

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lvcl
lvcl - 5/7/2025, 4:01 PM
@WEAPONXOXOXO -

The New Wokengers !!!
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 5/7/2025, 2:42 PM
I don’t think Val necessarily wants what’s best for her country but moreso for herself.

Even though we only get a small glimpse of her backstory in this (which definitely makes her sympathetic to an extent) , I think she wants to accumulate as much power as she possibly can so she’s never that helpless girl that couldn’t save her father ever again…

Atleast that’s my read of this mysterious character so far that is.

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Anyway , I have enjoyed Dreyfus’s performance & the character so far thus I’m interested to see where she goes in the future!!.
HeavyMetal4Life
HeavyMetal4Life - 5/7/2025, 3:03 PM
@TheVisionary25 - I enjoyed her performance in the appearances before Thunderbolts (her hair is also better in the gif above, lol). She was solid in the first half or so of the movie, but became quite annoying in the second half and was by far the worst of the "major" characters in the movie.

Honestly, I'd be okay with not seeing her again.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 5/7/2025, 3:07 PM
@HeavyMetal4Life - I have heard that same complaint and I don’t agree with it but to each their own:

She felt very consistent throughout and isn’t meant to be a character that is necessarily liked

She also had probably my favorite line in the film in “Righteousness without Power is just an opinion”.
HeavyMetal4Life
HeavyMetal4Life - 5/7/2025, 3:10 PM
@TheVisionary25 - she definitely became very edgy and overdramatic this film compared to prior appearances. Too try hard at being a power hungry villainess.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 5/7/2025, 3:12 PM
@HeavyMetal4Life - hmmm…

Maybe I might feel that way on a rewatch but she didn’t feel any different to me in the latter half as she didn’t feel in the first or her prior appereances
RogerWilco
RogerWilco - 5/7/2025, 3:04 PM
Glad people are enjoying this movie but IMO this film is just one big load of

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KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 5/7/2025, 3:17 PM
@RogerWilco - User Comment Image

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BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 5/7/2025, 4:06 PM
@RogerWilco - Really? As a Film in general or conceptually?
epc1122
epc1122 - 5/7/2025, 8:37 PM
@RogerWilco - missed opportunity for what?
RogerWilco
RogerWilco - 5/8/2025, 1:20 AM
@BlackStar25 - conceptually....
RogerWilco
RogerWilco - 5/8/2025, 1:25 AM
@epc1122 - For rebuilding Faith in the Brand......sigh....
RogerWilco
RogerWilco - 5/8/2025, 1:28 AM
@KennKathleen - Thank you, lol, I think...and don't think I don't know where you got that SpiderWoman pic from
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KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 5/8/2025, 1:33 AM
@RogerWilco - 😆 shit, I didn't even know! Based on your comment- the costume quality makes more sense now! 😆 🤣 😂
RogerWilco
RogerWilco - 5/8/2025, 1:47 AM
@KennKathleen - Good Times, mate, Good Times
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HistoryofMatt
HistoryofMatt - 5/7/2025, 3:20 PM
Again. if this team of rejects led by am unpowered 90-lb female midget isn't wiped out in the first five minutes of Doomsday, what are they even doing?
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 5/7/2025, 3:26 PM
@HistoryofMatt - I'm confused, which characters have some sort of super soldier powers? Was Pugh the only one that doesn't?
Urubrodi
Urubrodi - 5/7/2025, 3:39 PM
@HistoryofMatt - lol she is not that short for a girl (1.62m) and Black Widow also had a leading role in the the original team, often leading alongside Cap. The post credit scene clearly showed that Bucky is leading alongside her. Plus, this team has the Sentry on standby (clearly he will powerup again in Doomsday) and a few super soldiers, it won't get wiped out that easily.
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 5/7/2025, 4:02 PM
@Urubrodi - 🤔

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BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 5/7/2025, 4:04 PM
@HistoryofMatt - Not being [frick]ing boring. Geez...lol.
RogerWilco
RogerWilco - 5/8/2025, 1:23 AM
@HistoryofMatt - See, everybody...This guy get's it.

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TH29
TH29 - 5/7/2025, 5:31 PM
why do supposed superhero lovers hate women and equality so much?! These clowns literally miss the point of superheroes and these characters. Big insecure loser energy.
mountainman
mountainman - 5/7/2025, 11:09 PM
@TH29 - Superheroes are the opposite of equality. They represent peak humans who are better than all of us normal people which is why they have to protect us.

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