Dumb Things We Can’t Ignore In Marvel’s Thunderbolts*

Contains spoilers for Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*”

Since the release of “Avengers: Endgame,” which was a monumental cinematic experience in the 21st century, subsequent Marvel Cinematic Universe films have had varying degrees of success. While there have been some standout moments, these instances have been few and far between. Critics didn’t shower praise on “Captain America: New World Order,” and “The Marvels” underperformed at the box office despite being a sequel to the billion-dollar hit from 2019, “Captain Marvel.” However, with “Thunderbolts,” it seems Marvel Studios is getting back on track.

Looper’s critique on “Thunderbolts*” commended the movie for its exceptional character development. The critic was particularly impressed that most main characters had memorable moments, given the large number in the film. Notably, the movie managed to breathe life into lesser-known characters such as U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), evoking genuine emotions. Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Yelena Belova was particularly noteworthy, while Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and Bob (Lewis Pullman) rounded out the impressive ensemble cast.

We’re clear that we’re not implying “Thunderbolts*” is a poor movie, but there are aspects of it that seem inconsistent. This is often the case with films that belong to large franchises and have numerous characters to manage. However, here are some questionable elements you might encounter in “Thunderbolts*.

Seriously, how did Bucky get elected to Congress?

In the movie “Captain America: A New Era,” the cherished character of Bucky Barnes reappears briefly. During his conversation with Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), it’s casually revealed that Bucky intends to run for a political position in Congress, leaving Marvel fans slightly bewildered and murmuring, “Wait, what?

It seems that Bucky Barnes, or more famously known as Winter Soldier, has a hidden connection to politics in the storyline of “Thunderbolts.” His character is portrayed as a congressman in order to create a scenario where he can work towards dismantling Valentina’s sinister OXE Group operations. As events unfold, Bucky turns against his own cause and joins forces with the Thunderbolts to bring down Valentina. This unexpected political shift makes more sense if we consider that Bucky’s ultimate goal has always been to apprehend Valentina, thus explaining his sudden interest in politics.

Here’s another way to phrase that: People have chosen to vote for an individual with a confirmed past as an assassin, known as the Winter Soldier. For decades, he was responsible for numerous high-profile killings under mind control. Although he has since improved and is no longer under control, it seems strange that his political opponent wouldn’t use this fact against him in election ads, especially considering that being a former Russian agent is still a possibility. On the other hand, his background as a World War II veteran might appeal to Baby Boomers, and he did fight against Thanos’ army. With the bizarre nature of contemporary politics, it’s not entirely surprising that voters would be enthusiastic enough to elect a reformed killer as their representative.

Taskmaster’s unceremonious death

In a twist that might not shock many viewers given her limited screen time, Taskmaster (portrayed by Olga Kurylenko) meets an early and rather unceremonious demise in “Thunderbolts.” Despite being conspicuously absent from the film’s trailers and relegated to minor positions on promotional materials, she is swiftly dispatched with little fanfare. Her dialogue is limited to a single line, and her fight scenes last only a few minutes before Ghost fatally shoots her. This abrupt, violent ending marks the surprising end of a much-loved cinematic antagonist among fans.

To put it simply, while Taskmaster’s demise isn’t entirely problematic as it highlights the mortality of any Thunderbolt member and underscores the harsh reality that some lives are beyond redemption, the concern lies with Ghost’s nonchalant attitude towards taking a life without just cause. Following her lethal shot at Taskmaster, it becomes clear that Valentina orchestrated their simultaneous meeting at the vault, effectively setting them all up for destruction. Had Ghost delayed her action by mere seconds, Taskmaster might have played a more significant role in the movie’s plot.

The brief discussion between Ghost and Yelena about Taskmaster momentarily softens the harshness of the situation, but it could’ve deepened the film’s central themes of redemption, suggesting that even the most lost souls can find salvation. Unfortunately, Taskmaster misses out on a chance for a better life, which becomes a poignant and largely unaddressed tragedy.

How did Bucky get his arm back?

In the upcoming series “Thunderbolts,” Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) reappears, sporting once more his distinctive metal arm, bestowed upon him by the Wakandans. However, this high-tech prosthetic was taken from him in “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” as part of Rocket’s (Bradley Cooper) wish from “Avengers: Infinity War.” Nebula (Karen Gillan) gifts the arm to Rocket. Given these circumstances, it would seem that Bucky is left without his metal limb. But surprisingly, in “Thunderbolts*” and also in “Captain America: Brave New World,” he is seen with it again.

1. It’s possible that there are rational reasons behind this event. Perhaps Rocket and Nebula returned to Earth because they realized it was wrong to steal a man’s arm, and they intended to return it. Another possibility is that Wakanda produced more than one robotic arm for the super soldier. An outlandish theory suggests that Nebula didn’t take Bucky’s arm initially. Since vibranium came from a meteorite, it has an otherworldly origin, so Nebula might have acquired vibranium from another source and created a replica arm to give to Rocket, who now possesses a collectible version of Bucky’s famous prosthetic.

2. There could be plausible explanations for this occurrence. For instance, Rocket and Nebula may have returned to Earth because they felt guilty about stealing a man’s arm and wanted to return it. Another possibility is that the Wakandans manufactured more than one robotic arm for the super soldier. A far-fetched theory implies that Nebula never took Bucky’s arm in the first place, as vibranium was brought to Wakanda via a meteorite and has otherworldly properties, allowing Nebula to obtain vibranium from another source and craft a replica arm for Rocket, who now owns a collectible version of Bucky’s distinctive prosthetic.

3. It’s possible that there are reasonable explanations for what happened. For example, maybe Rocket and Nebula returned to Earth because they realized it was wrong to steal a man’s arm and wanted to make amends. Another possibility is that the Wakandans made multiple robotic arms for the super soldier. An out-there theory posits that Nebula never took Bucky’s arm initially, since vibranium originated from a meteorite and has otherworldly properties, so Nebula could have acquired vibranium elsewhere and created a fake arm to give to Rocket, who now owns a collector’s item version of Bucky’s iconic prosthetic.

4. There may be logical reasons behind what took place. For instance, Rocket and Nebula might have returned to Earth because they realized stealing a man’s arm was not right, and they aimed to return it. Another possibility is that the Wakandans produced more than one robotic arm for the super soldier. An outlandish theory suggests that Nebula never took Bucky’s arm in the first place, as vibranium came from a meteorite and has otherworldly origins, enabling Nebula to acquire vibranium elsewhere and fashion a replica arm for Rocket, who now owns a collectible version of Bucky’s recognizable prosthetic.

It seems reasonable to consider that we might be overanalyzing this situation. Given that “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” may not be part of the main Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it could be beneficial to assume that Bucky’s arm was never detached in the original timeline.

New Yorkers are unimpressed with superheroes

It can be quite mundane for ordinary folks in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as they never truly know when a significant percentage of the population will vanish or an unknown individual will start transforming people into shadows. This underscores how events that would captivate us in reality might not make much impact on them. For instance, after their encounter with Valentina and Sentry, the Thunderbolts gather on the pavement outside the Watchtower, conversing in full superhero regalia. Passersby can be seen casually walking past these extraordinary beings without giving them a second glance.

Sure thing, Yelena isn’t as widely recognized as Thor (Chris Hemsworth). However, Bucky Barnes is well-known for his double roles as a superhero and a sitting congressman. US Agent gained notoriety after publicly executing someone. To the average New Yorker, these could simply be costume enthusiasts, but it’s strange how peaceful everyone appears while groups of costumed individuals gather near what was once Avengers Tower. If we were in the MCU, we’d instinctively suspect trouble if these characters were around and evacuate before the Void starts his dark rampage.

No word of Wilson Fisk

It can be rather challenging to understand the connections between the Marvel Cinematic Universe films and Disney+ series. In the third act of “Thunderbolts”, the action takes place in New York City, a location we last saw under the control of Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), who became its mayor during “Daredevil: Born Again.” Fisk enforced strict measures against vigilantes, leading to a chaotic and war-like city by the end of Season 1. This raises an intriguing question about how Fisk and his constituents would react to a powerful Void temporarily taking over the city.

It seems that the storyline for “Thunderbolts” is expected in 2027, given its sequel “Captain America: Brave New World” takes place at the start of that year. Since a significant part of “Daredevil: Born Again” transpires in both 2026 and 2027 while Kingpin (Fisk) is mayor, it’s likely that these two narratives will progress simultaneously. It’s peculiar that Fisk isn’t mentioned in the context of the new government-backed Avengers team emerging in his territory, as they wouldn’t be considered vigilantes if they report to a higher authority; however, his absence from this narrative appears unusual.

Regrettably, it appears that we won’t get to see Vincent D’Onofrio portray Kingpin on the big screen, as the actor stated in an interview with “Happy Sad Confused” podcast. He mentioned that he is currently only available for television series, and neither a standalone Fisk movie nor any similar projects are feasible due to rights issues. In other words, it seems like the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Thunderbolts*” didn’t include even a Kingpin poster in the background, which could have linked the Marvel shows and movies together. Consequently, for most viewers, superheroes continue to be just as welcome in New York City.

Yelena couldn’t know what’s in the Void

The Thunderbolts aren’t particularly strong in raw power; mainly, they use guns, fisticuffs, and knife-throwing. These tactics won’t be effective against Sentry (as demonstrated during the Watchtower battle) or the Void. Consequently, when the team requires an unconventional method to halt the colossally powerful villain from enshrouding New York in darkness, Yelena takes a risky approach and deliberately enters the Void.

Before this point, the Void had been transforming people into shadows, leaving us uncertain if they perished instantly. Yelena, unaware of what lay beyond, was essentially stepping into her own death. To her surprise, she encountered recollections of past traumas, which she managed to conquer in order to locate Bob. The rest of the Thunderbolts followed suit, venturing into the Void and assisting Bob in recognizing he wasn’t alone, empowering him to surmount his dark thoughts and vanquish his other self.

Although it seemed risky and potentially foolish, there was no better strategy than confronting what could have led to inevitable doom. If Yelena hadn’t stepped into the shadows, she would still have been overwhelmed, so it made more sense to depict the ex-assassin accepting her own darkness rather than trying to escape from it.

Where did the press come from?

After an unexpected act by Yelena, the Thunderbolts embrace Bob, indicating he’s not facing his mental health challenges alone. This supportive gesture dispels the darkness over New York and restores everyone who had been turned into shadows. Though Bob can’t recall the events, the Thunderbolts do. It seems reasonable to conclude that those nearby too endured their own traumas within the Void. Yet, barely a minute later, Valentina has no qualms about deceiving the Thunderbolts into appearing on stage in front of reporters, presenting them as the New Avengers.

It’s puzzling that the press seems unfazed about the recent events and are focusing on covering mundane matters instead of the new Avengers team consisting of C- and D-list vigilantes (and Bucky Barnes). One might expect them to be more interested in reporting what these heroes have just experienced, but it’s as if they want everything to return to normal. Given that Bob is presumably the Void, nobody seems aware of this fact, making it odd for people to act like nothing extraordinary has taken place.

Indeed, it seems consistent with the typical pattern in the MCU, where one-sixth of Earth’s population vanishes for five years and returns seemingly unaffected, causing only minimal upheaval. Disappearing for an hour, perhaps even just New York City residents, would likely be a walk in the park compared to the other calamities that frequently transpire within this cinematic universe.

What’s taking Sam Wilson so long to form his Avengers team?

In the post-credits scene of “Thunderbolts”, 14 months after the main storyline, we find out that the New Avengers are still active. However, Sam Wilson is eager to assemble his own team. Interestingly, he’s even made a copyright claim for the New Avengers name, suggesting he has plans beyond the existing group. It’s important to note that Yelena suggests that if Sam puts together a team, indicating he doesn’t currently have members ready to join his potential Avengers lineup. The question remains, what could be delaying him from moving forward with his team assembly?

Previously mentioned, “Thunderbolts” is set following “Captain America: Brave New World,” where at the conclusion of the latter, Sam Wilson was on the verge of reassembling the Avengers alongside Joaquin Torres, who goes by Falcon (Danny Ramirez). This implies that by the time the post-credits scene unfolds, it’s been approximately a year and half since Sam started planning his Avengers team. The question then arises: Why hasn’t he assembled them yet?

As a gamer, it’s quite the challenge to assemble my dream team when characters like Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) are off exploring the Multiverse, and Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) is gallivanting across another planet. But I’ve still got a roster of heavy hitters like Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor, Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), Moon Knight (Oscar Isaac), and She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany) to choose from – not too shabby! Here’s hoping I can get my act together before old nemesis Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) makes his move…

Did Thunderbolts* just spoil The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

In the “Thunderbolts” post-credit scene, we discover more than just Sam Wilson’s plan to form an unsanctioned Avengers team. Yelena hints at a space anomaly and shows footage of a spaceship entering the MCU world, with the number “4” visible on its side. As the iconic theme song for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” starts playing, it’s clear this post-credit scene is hinting at the upcoming release of that film on July 25th. However, since Marvel often previews their next MCU films in post-credit scenes, this could potentially spoil the ending for viewers months before its theatrical release.

First Steps” unfolds in an alternate universe where Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) warns Earth’s inhabitants about their planet being targeted for devouring by the cosmic entity, Galactus (Ralph Ineson). The Fantastic Four are tasked with finding a solution to outwit this colossal world-consumer. However, what if they can’t succeed in their mission? This storyline hints that the Fantastic Four may ultimately fail in their efforts to save Earth from either Galactus or Doom and might be forced to seek refuge elsewhere. Before “Thunderbolts” was launched, it seemed likely that the Fantastic Four would need to transition into the primary MCU timeline to assist other familiar characters in battling Doctor Doom. But this scene implies a different scenario: the Fantastic Four may not triumph in their endeavor to protect their world and could be compelled to find refuge elsewhere instead.

This supports the widely-held fan speculation that the Fantastic Four may encounter failure in “First Steps,” leading them to establish fresh lives in another dimension as a major driving force. This could also mean they are determined to vanquish Doom, hoping this victory might serve as redemption for their past.

Did Marvel shoot itself in the foot not calling the movie The New Avengers?

After many discussions about why the title “Thunderbolts” has an asterisk, we discover in the press conference that these aren’t actually the Thunderbolts; they are instead the New Avengers. This twist is entertaining, yet it raises questions as to whether Marvel might have made a wiser choice by simply titling the movie “The New Avengers.

Currently, projections indicate that “Thunderbolts*” will have a more subdued domestic box office debut, estimated between $70 and $75 million for its opening weekend. This might seem acceptable, but in comparison, previous Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films typically started with earnings in the nine-figure range, and “Avengers” movies have consistently been highly profitable for the studio. For instance, 2012’s “The Avengers” earned over $200 million domestically on its opening weekend and eventually grossed a total of $1.5 billion, with over $600 million coming from U.S. audiences alone. Each “Avengers” film has brought in over $1 billion at the global box office. Given that there hasn’t been a new “Avengers” film since 2019’s “Endgame,” it’s likely that many fans are eagerly anticipating a fresh installment.

If the movie had been titled “The New Avengers,” it might have attracted more viewers on its opening weekend. The title “Thunderbolts*” may not resonate with many people, which could be why it had a smaller initial turnout. However, with positive reviews, “Thunderbolts*” could still perform well, given that it won’t face much competition from other action movies until May 23rd when “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” is released. From a narrative standpoint, “Thunderbolts*” seems quite interesting, but one can’t help but speculate if the marketing team regrets not using the “Avengers” name more prominently.

2025-05-02 14:32