Torrentgame – Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie has been generating plenty of buzz, particularly due to the mysterious asterisk in the title and the team’s potential rebranding. As the film’s release date approaches, fans have been speculating about the identity of the primary antagonist and the significance of the asterisk. While the trailers have done a great job hiding these key details, there’s an important aspect that Marvel may have already teased six years ago: the Thunderbolts‘ final name.
The Thunderbolts’ Team Dynamics and Potential Antagonists
In the Thunderbolts trailers, it’s clear that the movie will have some unexpected twists. The team’s principal enemy could be Bob, aka Sentry (played by Lewis Pullman), known for his unpredictable nature, or Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who seems to have leverage over the anti-heroes. The film’s narrative suggests that Valentina will assemble the team by giving each member individual missions that will lead to a confrontation within the group.
Regarding the asterisk in the Thunderbolts title, fans have theorized that it could symbolize anything from a simple name change to something darker—like the potential death of the team’s members followed by new replacements. However, considering the team’s banter about their name in the second Thunderbolts trailer, it seems more likely that the change will be less extreme. The movie will likely see the team debating various name options, including “Dark Avengers” or even a less menacing take on the original Thunderbolts iteration from the comics, known as the Masters of Evil.
Why The Thunderbolts Won’t Stay ‘The Thunderbolts’
As we know from the trailers, Red Guardian will suggest the name “Thunderbolts,” much to the dismay of his teammates. This playful dynamic hints that the name will not stick for long, and by the end of the film, they may come up with a better option. It’s also possible that the Thunderbolts will choose to rebrand themselves after breaking free from Valentina’s control, similar to the trajectory of their comic book counterparts, who distanced themselves from Baron Zemo to become true heroes.
In the comics, the Thunderbolts took on their new identity as they strived to redeem themselves. Likewise, the MCU’s Thunderbolts could decide to make their existence public, severing their ties to Valentina and embracing a new, more heroic name—such as The Avengers, New Avengers, or even Dark Avengers.
The Secret Avengers: The Perfect Inspiration for the Thunderbolts
Marvel has already hinted at the perfect name for the Thunderbolts, and it came from Avengers: Infinity War. After the events of Captain America: Civil War, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Sam Wilson, and Wanda Maximoff formed a covert team known as the Secret Avengers. This secretive squad operated under the radar, taking on missions while evading the law. The Thunderbolts may draw inspiration from this team, adopting the name to reflect their covert operations and rebellious nature.
Not only is Secret Avengers a far less intimidating name than Dark Avengers, but it also ties directly into the Thunderbolts’ current team dynamics. Many of the Thunderbolts members, including Bucky Barnes, US Agent, and Red Guardian, have been influenced by Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff. Yelena Belova, another key member, looked up to Natasha as a mentor. With these connections, it would make sense for the Thunderbolts to honor their mentors’ legacy by adopting the name Secret Avengers.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Thunderbolts?
While the final name of the Thunderbolts team remains a mystery, it’s clear that Marvel has laid the groundwork for a memorable rebranding. Whether they choose to embrace the Secret Avengers moniker or opt for something else entirely, the upcoming movie promises to explore the team’s evolution from anti-heroes to potential heroes. With ties to iconic MCU characters and a powerful story arc, the Thunderbolts will undoubtedly become a significant part of the MCU’s next phase.
