There’s a specific kind of character arc that theMarvel cinematic Universehas consistently nailed for more than a decade – one whichThunderboltsis sure to excel at.The MCU’sThunderboltsdraws together a ragtag troupe of characters from acrossthe MCU timelinein the team’s cinematic debut. WithThunderbolts*, Marvel seems poised to double down on a formula that has been repeatedly triumphant – which is a very good sign forthe MCU’s future.
As in the comics, theThunderboltsare team made up of reformed villains, working together to redeem themselves. One of the interesting aspects oftheThunderboltsline-upis a distinct lack of superpowers. Ghost has a phasing ability, then there are three super soldiers, and two former Red Room agents. This itself fosters a greater need for teamwork, but also highlights a highly effective trend in the MCU thatThunderbolts*with definitely deliver.
Thunderbolts* Brings A Truly Unconventional Team Into The MCU
Thunderbolts* is Marvel’s answer to a darker, rougher version of the Avengers. Instead of clean-cut icons, it’s a team of bruised and broken characters: Bucky Barnes (the Winter Soldier), Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Ghost, U.S. Agent, and Taskmaster, all led by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. These are characters who’ve eitherbeen manipulated or used as weapons, who have each committed some heinous acts – and that’s the point.
Oh No, I Just Realized Marvel’s Next Movie And Last Movie Could See Their Villains Defeated In The Exact Same Way
2025’s second MCU movie is just around the corner, and I’m a bit concerned that its villain will be defeated in a particularly familiar fashion.
TheThunderbolts* aren’t here to be role models. They’re not paragons of virtue. Instead, they’re layered personalities with scars – some visible, others buried deep. That kind of team dynamicis ripe for drama, inner conflict, redemption arcs, and maybe even betrayal. Unlike the Avengers, who largely rallied around a shared moral compass, this crew has wildly different agendas and personal traumas, setting the stage for a grounded, emotionally heavy story.
The MCU’s Stellar Track Record With Antihero Stories Makes Thunderbolts* Look Even More Promising
Marvel has consistently shown that when it focuses on flawed, morally complex characters, it strikes narrative gold.
The MCU has a proven history of delivering compelling anti-hero narratives. Bucky Barnes went from Hydra assassin to one of the MCU’s most heartbreaking redemption arcs. Agatha Harkness, initially a mysterious antagonist inWandaVision, becameso popular she starred in her own spin-off. Then there’s Loki – once the God of Mischief and now a multiversal hero whose journey redefined what an antihero could be.
I Can’t Believe Daredevil: Born Again Made My Wildest Thunderbolts* Theory Even More Likely In The MCU
Daredevil: Born Again’s finale can strengthen a fantastic theory that poses the perfect line-up for a future Thunderbolts team in the MCU.
Marvel has consistently shown that when it focuses on flawed, morally complex characters, it strikes narrative gold. These stories resonate because they reflect real human struggles: identity, guilt, purpose, and growth. WithThunderboltsbringing several fan-favorite antiheroes togetherunder one roof, the potential for powerful storytelling is immense. If the MCU’s past is anything to go by,Thunderboltsmight deliver some of its most captivating character arcs yet.
