The Marvel Cinematic Universe has many interesting and complex villains. Although most of the characters are gone, some are still alive and ready to take on their next assignment. Diehard Marvel fans are wondering when the likes of Zemo, Yelena Belova, and John Walker would return to the MCU, and it seems that these powerful villains will look to make a grand comeback in the rumored Thunderbolts movie.
Thunderbolts has long been part of the MCU rumor mill. Back in 2015, the villains were rumored to be getting their own Netflix series, but it didn’t come to fruition. In October 2021, the film garnered a lot of hype when it was revealed that a Thunderbolts movie was in development, with it rumored to start production in 2023.
The fun did not end there. Deadline reported recently that Marvel Studios has already hired Jake Schreier to direct the movie, and Black Widow ‘s Eric Pearson was tapped as the writer. Marvel Studios now has an update on the movie starring a villain.
The MCU’s Thunderbolts are Finally Here
During the MCU’s mega-panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige officially announced Thunderbolts, a team-up movie featuring some notable villains of the franchise. The film will debut on July 26, 2024.
The official title card of the movie was revealed as part of the unveil:
Feige also confirmed that Thunderbolts will mark the end of Phase 5.
Will Val recruit for the MCU’s Thunderbolts team?
Phase 4 started with Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine, Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine going on an unspecified recruitment spree. However this announcement may have shed some light.
Val’s endgame is now clear: recruit MCU villains for an unnamed mission that would set the stage for the plot of Thunderbolts. Val is now recruiting Black Widow ‘s Yelena Beva and Falcon, as well as the Winter Soldier ‘s John Walker. Signs indicate there may be more.
Several notable people who could be joining the team include Abomination and Zemo from Ant Man and the Wasp .. An earlier report mentioned Sebastian Stan’s Bucky, a.k.a. The Winter Soldier could also be seen, which would mean that he could act as an Avenger to help pacify the evil team.
Although the mission of the Thunderbolts is not yet clear, it’s possible for a more serious threat to emerge that could force them to protect the world. Each villainous member of the team has their motives, but this film allows them to shine, while also showing their complicated and interesting personalities.
It remains to be seen why Marvel chose Thunderbolts to end Phase 5, but it’s likely that something big will happen at the end that would serve as the catalyst for Phase 6. This big reveal would involve a significant villain or an incoming threat, similar to the way Thanos appeared at the conclusion of the previous Avengers movies.
