A newThunderbolts*trailer has been released, and the major mystery surrounding theMarvel Cinematic Universemovie’s title asterisk might not only have been revealed, but the answer to the burning question could connect to a majorAvengers: Doomsdaytheory. One of the biggest issues the MCU has been facing during its Multiverse Saga is thatthe franchise has seemed directionless. While several new characters have been introduced in the past few years, many of them have only a single appearance and no plans set for them to return infuture MCU moviesand series.
Thunderboltshappens to be a nice solution to that problem. The reason for that comes fromThunderbolts’s expansive cast, which features many stars from past MCU projects, such as Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes and Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova. There are many questions surrounding the characters' mission, why Valentina Allegra de Fontaine chose these specific members for her team, and most of all —Why doesThunderboltshave an asterisk in its title?The asterisk was added to the title after the movie had been announced for some time, and it seems like a newThunderboltstrailer might have revealed its meaning.
The Thunderbolts* Asterisk’s Meaning Being Dark Avengers Is Looking More Likely
The MCU Movie Could Feature A Temporary Team Name
The leading theory behind the reasonThunderboltshas an asterisk in its title is that the team’s name is just temporary. Either sometime during the MCU movie or when the credits roll, it would be revealed that the Thunderbolts' real name in the MCU is a much bigger one, withthe team being called the Dark Avengers. This theory was helped by thenewThunderboltstrailer, which featured a few key moments that make it seem like Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s covert team will not be named Thunderbolts for long.
In the newThunderbolts*trailer, it becomes clear thatValentina bought Avengers Tower. Previous footage from the MCU movie seemed to be set in the iconic location, but Julia Louis-Dreyfus' character outright asks the Thunderbolts, “How crazy is it to think of all the monumental fights that happened exactly here where you are standing?” Valentina also mentions that the place was not cheap, confirming that it is Avengers Tower. Adding to that, after Red Guardian calls the team the Thunderbolts in the trailer, Bucky, Ghost, and Yelena dislike the choice, and the asterisk appears, suggesting it is a temporary name.
The Dark Avengers’ MCU Debut Would Connect To An Avengers: Doomsday Theory
The Thunderbolts Could Return In The Next Avengers Movie
A stylized version of the Avengers logo in green, with the subtitle Doomsday underneath, featuring a white shine on the letters.
With Val having bought Avengers Tower, the Thunderbolts possibly operating out of it, and the MCU movie’s new trailer teasing that the team will have a new name by the end of the film, it seems like the theory that the Thunderbolts will become the MCU’s Dark Avengers team from the comics will come true. That could lead to another major MCU theory also being accurate, which would makeAvengers: Doomsdayeven more exciting.The Multiverse Saga’s biggest complaint has been the absence of the Avengers, andThunderbolts*’s asterisk could lead to a story that solves that in spades.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Ben Grimm/The Thing
TheAvengers: Doomsdaytheory claims thatMarvel Studios has been slowly setting up multiple Avengers teamsso that the heroes can separate into different groups to take down Doctor Doom and any multiverse villains that appear in the Avengers' next movie, which would have made even more sense when the film was set to feature Kang the Conqueror and his many variants. The MCU has teased the debut of teams like the New Avengers, the Young Avengers, possibly the West Coast Avengers, and a street-level version of the team with Daredevil. The Thunderbolts becoming the Dark Avengers would suit that.
The Dark Avengers’ Marvel Comics Connection To Doctor Doom Explained
Robert Downey Jr.’s Character Is The Multiverse Saga’s Main Villain
Interestingly, the timing ofThunderbolts*andAvengers: Doomsday’s releases does tease that a possible comic book connection could be repeated in the MCU. In Marvel Comics,the Dark Avengers' first mission was saving Doctor Doomafter Norman Osborn, their leader, received a distress call from the Marvel villain. The MCU has yet to reveal what is Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s ultimate goal. However, the character is a shadowy figure whose motivations could very well line up with those of master manipulator Doctor Doom, leading to the Thunderbolts helping Doctor Doom as the Dark Avengers.
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The team could very well go through some changes before that happens. It has been reported thata previous version ofThunderbolts*’s script saw the team die on their mission. That could still be partially true, witha few characters dying inThunderbolts*, especially if Sentry turns out to be a villain due to his the Void persona. As such, only the characters more comfortable with something like working alongside Doctor Doom could remain by the end ofThunderbolts*. The Dark Avengers could also believe that Doctor Doom is trying to save the multiverse, leading to a misguided partnership.
Thunderbolts*
Cast
Thunderbolts follows seven disillusioned individuals who find themselves trapped in a perilous situation. Tasked with a daunting mission, they must face the most shadowy aspects of their histories to survive and achieve their goals.
