Will Thunderbolts Revive the Missing MCU Magic?

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Summary

  • Thunderbolts could be the MCU’s new Avengers, setting up a strong team to carry the franchise forward.
  • Thunderbolts brings back familiar faces for a true ensemble, avoiding the recent post-Endgame struggles.
  • The team’s name in Thunderbolts may change, potentially becoming the new main Avengers post-Secret Wars.

In a different wording, the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it today owes much to a specific narrative device. The team-up film titled “Thunderbolts” is all set to reintroduce this element after a long absence, with its release slated for May 2, 2025. This final Phase Five production could potentially breathe new life into the franchise by cleverly incorporating some of its classic elements.

Gathering an intriguing ensemble of anti-hero characters, such as Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes (also known as the Winter Soldier), Red Guardian, and others, Marvel’s Thunderbolts finds these individuals thrust into a high-risk mission at the behest of CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. It’s clear that this team is poised to become a significant force propelling the Marvel cinematic universe forward. This concept introduces an aspect they’ve lacked in recent years: a fresh, dynamic team.

Thunderbolts Could Be The MCU’s New Avengers

Marvel’s Best Chance To Rebuild Its Heroic Team

Regarding the forthcoming “Thunderbolts” movie, Marvel is set to revisit a familiar theme: uniting established heroes that fans are already acquainted with and allowing them to collaborate. Typically, this task has been accomplished by teams such as the Avengers or offshoots like the Guardians of the Galaxy. Following “Endgame”, however, Marvel has faced difficulties in forming a robust new team, and it seems that “Thunderbolts” might completely alter this situation. All indications point towards this – the plot, trailers, characters – all hinting that this could be the closest Marvel comes to the Avengers in the Multiverse Saga.

It’s not unusual to think about a group of superheroes collaborating on a mission, as this theme is deeply rooted in comic book worlds such as Marvel and DC, and their movie universes. In everyday talk, the MCU and the Avengers are frequently considered one and the same. However, there has been a need for a robust team to continue the legacy left by the Avengers. With the upcoming launches of projects like “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars”, time is quickly running out.

Why Thunderbolts* Feels Different From Recent Marvel Films

Familiar Faces Give It An Edge Over Past MCU Teams

Although “Thunderbolts” may seem like a fresh team-up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after a while, it’s actually not the case. Recently, Marvel Studios has faced challenges in this aspect, as attempts such as “Eternals” and “The Marvels” didn’t meet their intended success. Lead roles featuring older Avengers, like “Thor: Love and Thunder” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” have ended up being disappointments. Films like “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” have been successful and made valuable contributions to the MCU, but we haven’t yet seen substantial results from them.

In essence, what sets Thunderbolts apart from other post-Endgame projects is its focus on reintroducing previously established characters rather than creating new ones. For instance, Lewis Pullman’s Bob/Sentry is one of the few exceptions. Characters like Yelena, Red Guardian, Taskmaster, Val, and Bucky, who has been a well-known Marvel character longer than all the Avengers, are all returning after their appearances in the MCU since 2021.

Is Thunderbolts* The Future Of The MCU?

The Team’s Name Could Change Soon

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but feel excited about the upcoming MCU film, Thunderbolts*. With most of its characters having already graced our screens in previous movies and series, there’s a golden opportunity to delve deeper into their stories, transforming them into beloved franchise pillars.

The 2025 movie could potentially capture the same enchantment as the original Avengers film from 2012. While it may lack the iconic figures of Iron Man and Captain America to bind them together, the essence of collaboration, conflict, and character development can still be harnessed from that timeless success.

The plan is to bring these characters together as a team, let them stumble, clash, and ultimately learn from their mistakes, growing into an unstoppable force despite their lack of superpowers. The charm lies in the journey, not just the destination.

Furthermore, the asterisk in the title “Thunderbolts*” hints at a possible change in the team’s name by the end of the movie. Some hypotheses suggest names like “Dark Avengers ” or “New Avengers“, which seem feasible given that the trailer indicates every team member disliking Red Guardian’s proposition for the Thunderbolts name. With “Doomsday” only two films away, it’s likely that this team could step up as the “primary Avengers” when chaos ensues.

Will Thunderbolts* Fix Marvel’s Team Problem?

A True Ensemble, Not Just Fan Service

Following the events of “Secret Wars”, attention is likely to turn towards X-Men heroes in the near future, but before that, the teamwork displayed by the Thunderbolts could prove essential in realizing Marvel’s vision. The MCU has clearly returned to its original approach of superhero team-building since the start of Thunderbolts’ production. In September 2022, David Harbour, who plays Red Guardian in Thunderbolts, spoke about this during an interview with Entertainment Tonight at Disney’s D23 Expo. The Stranger Things actor shared that:

As a film critic, I am genuinely thrilled by the innovative and captivating elements shaping this upcoming movie. What sets it apart within the Marvel Cinematic Universe is its intriguing portrayal of characters who are far from traditional superheroes – instead, you’ll find an eclectic group of underdogs, misfits, and those who don’t quite fit the heroic mold.

What makes this even more intriguing is the exceptional ensemble cast we have assembled, each bringing their unique charm and depth to their roles. While some of us may carry complex public images that audiences might grapple with, I believe this complexity will only enhance the viewing experience.

The combination of characters in the Thunderbolts could be just what the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been lacking recently – a return to the team-ups and interwoven narratives that initially made the franchise shine. Instead of relying on flashy cameos, it seems the studio has lost sight of this essence. If executed well, Thunderbolts might not reach Avengers’ heights, but they could certainly emulate the success of Guardians of the Galaxy or even Marvel’s version of Suicide Squad.

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2025-02-17 19:07