After working out thatCaptain America: Brave New WorldandThunderboltswill defeat their respective villains in the same way, I’m starting to worry that the twoMCUmovies may be too similar. Whiledetails about theThunderboltsstoryare still forthcoming, prolific trailers and promotional material provide many clues about what to expect - including theearly death of one Thunderbolts member. That same footage has, however, helped to supercharge excitement for a movie that was initially met with some trepidation as its main stars comprise some fairly obscure and less popular reformed villains and antiheroes from the MCU.
This setsThunderboltsin good stead to improve Marvel’s fortunes afterCaptain America: Brave New Worldproved divisiveand now sits as the MCU’s sixth-lowest-grossing movie. One of the main criticisms leveled atCaptain America: Brave New Worldconcerned its main villain, Red Hulk, whose power levels vastly outpace those of the serum-free Sam Wilson. The MCU certainly loves an underdog story, andThunderboltsappears poised to continue this trend - though I think there is only one route theThunderbolts*narrative can take, making it no different toCaptain America: Brave New World.
In Brave New World, Captain America Defeated Red Hulk By Talking Him Down
Sam Wilson Proved That Empathy Is His Superpower
I lovedCaptain America: Brave New World, even if it had its faults. One of my main concerns was Marvel’s continued sidelining of Bruce Banner, who was arguably the only character that should have gone up against Red Hulk, a villain who is traditionally his arch-nemesis in Marvel Comics. Nevertheless, it was entertaining to seeSam Wilson pull out all the stops to gain the upper hand on a creature that, under normal circumstances, should have decimated the new Captain America- and the old one, for that matter.
Evidently, Marvel is also a fan of this brand of underdog story, as the Thunderbolts look to be in a similar position.
Sam Wilson deployed all the many gadgets in his arsenal to try and subdue Red Hulk, making full use of his vibranium wings, shield, and drones in an attempt to simply incapacitate the rage-monster. At the eleventh hour, after unleashing the full force of his Wakandan vibranium suit, it became apparent that this was never going to work. Faced with insurmountable odds,Sam Wilson leaned on his last remaining power: his empathy.
Why Sam Wilson Is Captain America Now In The MCU
While Steve Rogers is Marvel’s original Captain America, Sam Wilson is the only character to hold the title officially in the MCU in the present day.
In one ofCaptain America: Brave New World’s best moments,Sam Wilson proved how he was always particularly well-placed to defeat an extremely powerful supervillainthat could give even Hulk a run for his money, despite the obvious power difference. This gulf in power was a prominent talking point in the lead-up toCaptain America: Brave New World’s release, and I think Marvel handled the payoff pretty well. Evidently, Marvel is also a fan of this brand of underdog story, as the Thunderbolts look to be in a similar position.
In Thunderbolts*, The Team Is Taking On A Massively Overpowered Villain
The Void Is Essentially A God
RecentThunderbolts*trailersfinally confirmed suspicions as it name-dropped the Void. Marvel Comics fans were already prepared for this reveal, as it became increasingly clear that Lewis Pullman’s Bob would be the live-action adaptation of Robert Reynolds, whose superhero identity is Sentry.Sentry is one of Marvel Comics' most powerful characters, with the Void being his ruinous alter egoand one of Marvel Comics' most violent and unstoppable characters, with powers that essentially allow him to achieve anything.
Sentry was revealed to have control over the molecular structure of reality, essentially granting himself whatever power he needs.
The Thunderbolts, on the other hand, are a collection of super soldiers and assassins, with Ghost being the only member boasting more than the ability to - as Yelena Belova puts it - “Punch and shoot.” In fact, this quote from oneThunderbolts*trailer hammers home Marvel’s framing of the Thunderbolts as underdogs. Short of a surprise member or two joining the team during the movie, their powers pale in comparison to the likes of the Avengers - let aloneMarvel’s most powerful supervillainyet.
Super-Assassin and perfect mimicry
Ava Starr/Ghost
Quantum phasing
Suffice it to saythe Void is an Avengers-level threatat the very least. Nevertheless,Thunderbolts*trailers consistently remind us that the Avengers aren’t coming. Exactly how this under-powered team of reformed villains and antiheroes will fare against the Void remains to be seen, as the force of sheer destruction should be more powerful than each member combined ten times over. Still, thanks to Marvel’s recent spoilers, we know that the team must somehow succeed.
We Already Know Sentry Will Be Back After Thunderbolts*
Lewis Pullman Is Confirmed To Star In Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel Studios recently confirmed a litany ofcast members for 2026’sAvengers: Doomsdayas part of a live stream. The 5.5-hour long stream was filled with both surprising and expected cast members, from Sam Wilson’s Cap to Ian McKellen’s Magneto. One of the more surprising reveals was the cast ofThunderbolts*- though Olga Kurylenko, who portrays Taskmaster, was noticeably absent. Lewis Pullman was one such name, suggesting thatSentry will return inAvengers: Doomsday.
Given that we are in the Multiverse Saga, it remains possible that Pullman and company will be portraying variants of their respective characters or entirely different ones, like Robert Downey Jr. is with Doctor Doom.
I think it’s pretty wild that Marvel Studios was happy to spoilThunderboltsby essentially confirming that the team survives their encounter with a godlike being. Many, like myself, fully expected at least some of the titular team to die at the hands of the Void - but theAvengers: Doomsdaycast announcement would have us believe otherwise. Perhaps even more surprising than that, however, is the notion thatSentry will also survive- meaningThunderboltsmay be one of the least lethal movies in the MCU.
Marvel Has Already Spoiled The Ending Of Thunderbolts* Despite The Movie’s Biggest Selling Point
Over a month before the movie has even been released, Marvel has spoiled Thunderbolts* by revealing its biggest selling point to be incorrect.
I’m therefore tempted to believe thatMarvel is double-bluffing by revealing the Thunderbolts' involvement inAvengers: Doomsday. Given that we are in the Multiverse Saga, it remains possible that Pullman and company will be portraying variants of their respective characters or entirely different ones, like Robert Downey Jr. is with Doctor Doom. Still, with RDJ being such a prominent example of this possibility, I wonder if this is truly what Marvel intends with the Thunderbolts, as the move would feel comparatively cheap.
I’m Convinced The Thunderbolts* Heroes Will Defeat Sentry By Talking Him Down
It Is The Only Feasible Way Of Subduing The Void
If Earth-616’s Sentry and the Thunderbolts surviveThunderbolts*to make it toAvengers: Doomsday, I can really only see one eventuality. Just as Cap talked Red Hulk out of his rampage, this is likewise the only recourse for the titular team of antiheroes.There is simply no way for the team to physically overpower the Void- presuming he will mirror even a fraction of his comic book counterpart’s power - so mentally subduing the entity is the only other option.
This would make sense for a movie that has been repeatedly purported to center around themes of mental health. As a dark reflection of Sentry,it is possible that the Thunderbolts could wield their empathy and experience to help Bob’s humanity power through, banishing the Void from existence so that Sentry can wrest complete control. If this is the route that Marvel Studios is taking, then it looks likeThunderbolts*is about to deliver exactly the same solution for a powerful villain asCaptain America: Brave New World- and I can only hope that this lands well with fans.
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 in order to survive and achieve their goals.
Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titledNew World Order)marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.After meeting President Thaddeus Ross, Sam is caught in a global crisis. He must expose the mastermind behind a sinister plot before the world descends into turmoil. Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen debut of Sam Wilson as Captain America, and Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut, replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
