By the timeThunderboltsreleases in 2025, HYDRA will have been missing from theMCUfor an entire decade, but the Phase 5 movie may introduce the perfect replacement for the age-old supervillain organization. HYDRA was a significant threat in the early days of the MCU, with a major role inCaptain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter SoldierandAvengers: Age of Ultron. WhileHYDRA’s absence from the MCUhas been noticeable, Marvel Studios' upcomingThunderboltsis expected to debut its best replacement.
Thefirst teaser trailer forThunderboltsincludes several teases towards the introduction of a new supervillain group that could be perfect to replace HYDRA.Previous MCU projects, includingThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Black WidowandBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, have quietly been setting up this group’s debut in the background.Thunderboltswill finally bring it into live-action, introducing another formidable antagonistic organization to the MCU, while also explaining Louis-Dreyfus' mysterious Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
Marvel Killed Off HYDRA In The MCU’s Phase 2
HYDRA Was All But Erased By The Avengers In Age Of Ultron
Thunderbolts*is scheduled for release in May 2025, which will mark a decade since HYDRA was an ever-present threat in the MCU’s main continuity. Ignoring the separate origin of HYDRA inMarvel Television’sAgents of SHIELD,the MCU’s HYDRA started as the scientific division of the Nazi SS during World War II, led by Johann Schmidt’s Red Skull. Despite being seemingly defeated by Captain America in 1945, HYDRA grew like a parasite within SHIELD for decades, reemerging in the present day, but HYDRA was again torn down by Steve Rogers in 2014.
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Robert Downey Jr.’s transformation into iconic Marvel villain Doctor Doom would pale in comparison to another MCU star coming back as a powerful foe.
2015’sAvengers: Age of Ultronfeatured the Avengers' final offensive againstHYDRA in Sokovia, which ended with them reacquiring Loki’s scepter and apprehending Baron Von Strucker. Since then,HYDRA has been mentioned several times, and even made brief appearances in 2015’sAnt-Manand flashbacks in 2016’sCaptain America: Civil War, but has posed no significant threat whatsoever. This has left a huge void in the MCU that any number of powerful supervillain organizations could fill, but none have yet been up to the task.
Thunderbolts* Answers Who Really Bought Avengers Tower
Avengers Tower Was Sold To A Mystery Buyer In Spider-Man: Homecoming
One of the MCU’s most annoying and longest-lasting mysteries has been theidentity of the buyer of Avengers Tower. Originally Stark Tower, this unmissable New York City landmark was sold by Tony Stark during 2017’sSpider-Man: Homecoming, as the Avengers had moved Upstate.The identity of the new owner of the former Avengers Tower has been the subject of huge speculation in the years sinceHomecoming, with the likes of Wilson Fisk’s Kingpin, Kang variant Mister Grypon, Norman Osborn and the Fantastic Four being popular theories.
Stark Tower became Avengers Tower in the time betweenThe AvengersandAvengers: Age of Ultron. The Avengers used it as their HQ in New York, but relocated after Ultron’s attack.
After seven years, the first teaser trailer forThunderbolts*seems to finally put this speculation to rest.During some scenes in the trailer, it appears that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is meeting with the titular Thunderbolts team inside the old Avengers Tower, with the expansive view of New York City in the background. This implies thatValentina bought Avengers Towerback in the MCU’s Phase 3, though it seems likely that the MCU’s corrupt Director of the CIA wouldn’t purchase this monumental building without an ulterior motive.
Who Valentina Allegra De Fontaine Is Really Working For
Valentina Allegra De Fontaine Has Been An Enigma Since The Falcon & The Winter Soldier
Julia Louis-Dreyfus debuted as Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and has since been revealed to be the Director of the CIA, who has several superpowered individuals in her back pocket.Valentina’s true motives in the MCUhaven’t made themselves clear, butThunderbolts*‘teaser trailer may have confirmed that she is one member of a much bigger organization: OXE.The OXE logo can be seen on crates in the facility where Yelena Belova, US Agent, Ghost, Taskmaster and “Bob” find themselves trapped.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
2021
2022
Thunderbolts*
2025
OXE is a relatively new organization introduced to Marvel Comics, meaning Marvel Studios may have a lot of wiggle room when it comes to adapting and adjusting the group for live-action. It seems as though"Bob", Lewis Pullman’s new MCU characterwho is all but confirmed to be Sentry, has been held, or perhaps even created, at this OXE facility. This could make OXE the perfect replacement for HYDRA in the MCU’s Phase 5, and set up Valentina Allegra de Fontaine as an even more terrifying and sinister villain.
Who Are OXE In Marvel Comics: Origins Explained
OXE Could Be Very Powerful In The MCU
There are two versions of OXE in Marvel Comics, one onEarth-616and one in the Ultimate Universe of Earth-1610, but both were founded by Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The Ultimate Universe’s OXE Group came first, debuting in 2011’sUltimate Fallout #3, but very little is known about this organization other than that it’s the largest holding company in the world.Earth-616’s OXE has seen slightly more development following its debut in 2023’s Thunderbolts (Vol. 5) #1.
One theory suggests Valentina and OXE have been gathering information from various heroes to manufacture their own, which could explain the debut of the ridiculously-powerful Sentry inThunderbolts*.
This new version of OXE, interestingly formed by a Valentina Life Model Decoy, initially worked with the Outer Circle to influence global politics and access secrets. However, after the Outer Circle was dissolved,Bucky Barnes approached Valentina with the prospect of using OXE for good, even establishing a new Thunderbolts team. This team included the likes of Yelena Belova, John Walker’s US Agent, Alexei Shostakov’s Red Guardian and Bucky Barnes, meaning it’s not too far-fetched to imagine this iteration of OXE inspiring Marvel Studios’Thunderbolts*, with much the same line-up.
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 in order to survive and achieve their goals.
