Marvel's Thunderbolts will be the major team-up movie that acts as the finale to Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, bringing together a team of antiheroes, former villains, and misfits as they battle an as-yet-unknown threat that supersedes even the likes of the Avengers themselves. Currently slated for a summer 2024 release date, Thunderbolts is perhaps the most important film in Phase 5, necessitating that Marvel's films and Disney+ series leading up to its premiere be building its core team and premise. While any Phase 5 project could feasibly act as a set-up for Thunderbolts, certain titles already have direct connections to the highly-anticipated team-up movie.
Thunderbolts introduces a dark replacement for the Avengers, made up of heroes of a decidedly less honorable variety than Earth's Mightiest Heroes. In a surprise move last July, Kevin Feige announced seven of the film's main cast at San Deigo Comic Con 2022, including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), the Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Although rumors persist that Marvel continues to hide several key plot points from audiences, including certain secret of the Thunderbolts, the film is already one of the most substantially set-up projects in Phase 5.
How The MCU Set Up Thunderbolts Before Phase 5
Marvel Studios has laid the groundwork for the MCU's Thunderbolts team throughout its Phase 4 movies and series. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier marked the first tease for Thunderbolts, introducing two characters who would later be revealed as of the film's cast. In the Disney+ series, John Walker, the United States government's choice for the new Captain America, eventually adopted the moniker of U.S. Agent after being recruited to a shadowy organization by Val, who also made her first appearance in the show's fifth episode. While viewers weren't given any details about Val's true intentions, recent revelations make it clear that she was setting up her Thunderbolts team.
Black Widow's Yelena Belova will the Thunderbolts, becoming a leading member of the team when they finally forces. Yelena's debut film is perhaps the most crucial project in setting up the Thunderbolts, as it also introduced Taskmaster and the Red Guardian, future of the team. Moreover, Black Widow's post-credit scene saw Valentina recruit Yelena for a mission that would see her attempt to kill Clint Barton, as seen in Hawkeye. Prior to the Phase 4 shifts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this scene would have marked Val's first appearance in the MCU, with over half of the Thunderbolts intended to be introduced in Black Widow.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever teased Thunderbolts as well, revealing in a shocking twist of events that Valentina is the ex-wife of Martin Freeman's CIA agent, Everett K. Ross. The Black Panther sequel marks Val's most substantial appearance yet, confirming that she is the ruthless new director of the CIA and thereby suggesting that the Thunderbolts are a government-sanctioned operation, perhaps made to replace the Avengers post-Endgame. As the final movie in Phase 4, Wakanda Forever's inclusion of a Thunderbolts tease points to just how big an event the Phase 5 finale will be to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, perhaps altering the very course of the franchise forever.
Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania
There will surely be big reveals in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, including potential hints at the Thunderbolts movie. As the film begins its marketing campaign, no promotional footage has revealed anything about Quantumania's connection to Thunderbolts, but a look back at the previous film in the Ant-Man franchise suggests that the Phase 5 projects could be related. A core member of the Thunderbolts lineup, Hannah John Kamen's Ava Starr, a.k.a. Ghost, was first introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Ghost's debut film also marks her most recent appearance in the MCU, making her character severely overdue for a featured return in the sequel.
While Quantumania acts as Kang's first confirmed MCU appearance, there is still plenty of time for the Ant-Man sequel to explore other storylines, even only briefly. Given her connection to the cast of the film, it makes perfect sense for Ava Starr's next appearance to come during the events of Quantumania. A single appearance leading up to Thunderbolts would go a long way in establishing Ava's character prior to her appearance in the team-up film, giving audiences a better understanding of who she is when she finally s Val's group. As the Phase 5 slate stands, Quantumania is the best chance to feature Ghost once more before Thunderbolts hits theaters.
Secret Invasion
Secret Invasion is paramount in setting up Thunderbolts, especially when looking at the comic book origin for both of these projects. Secret Invasion is based on the 2008 comic book crossover event of the same name by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu, depicting the Skrull invasion of Earth, in which several key figures, including Avengers, are replaced by alien imposters. Once the invasion was repelled, and the Skrulls defeated, however, the world was forever changed. No longer trusting the Avengers after so many of their ranks proved to be Skrulls, the world chose to put its faith in Norman Osborn, the leader of the Thunderbolts, going forward.
Secret Invasion is the most important MCU show yet, adapting one of the most impactful storylines in the history of Marvel Comics. Much like its comic book counterpart, the Disney+ series must forever alter the status quo of its universe. If Secret Invasion lives up to the hype, key MCU figures will be discovered to be alien imposters, leading the world to re-evaluate who it trusts. This is the perfect opportunity for the Thunderbolts to rise in defense of the public interest, becoming the champions of the common man, much like Norman Osborn's team did in the comics. Of course, their intentions may not be as benevolent as they seem.
Captain America: New World Order
Thunderbolts and Captain America: New World Order may be closer connected than anyone yet realizes. The fourth Captain America film is all but confirmed to include Harrison Ford as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, replacing William Hurt, who ed away last year. Prior to Hurt's death, Ross was heavily rumored to be behind Val's Thunderbolts initiative. Marvel's choice to recast the character suggests that his place within the MCU is far more important than initially let on, suggesting that early theories about Ross's involvement in the Thunderbolts may in fact have been true. Ford's appearance in New World Order can finally confirm these theories once and for all.
Ross's recasting also foreshadows the Red Hulk, the general's antihero alter-ego in Marvel Comics. As the Red Hulk, Thaddeus Ross has served as an Avenger, but also as the leader of the Thunderbolts for a period of time. While Ford's involvement in the MCU beyond New World Order remains purely speculative for the time being, the actor's high status suggests that Marvel Studios would want to keep him around for at least one additional movie. If so, as the last film before Thunderbolts, New World Order could be used to set up Ross's Red Hulk transformation, as well as his place on the eponymous team of antiheroes.
