Small Details You Missed In Marvel’s Thunderbolts*

Contains spoilers for “Thunderbolts*”

As a gamer, I’d say they’re not your typical heroes, more like antiheroes with a twist. They’ve got the Thunderbolts name, but you gotta take that with a grain of salt. What matters is, they’re the ones who can shake up the Marvel universe and bring it back from a rocky phase we’ve seen lately. The latest team-up has been a hit among critics, and I’m not surprised since Looper raved about “Thunderbolts*” for its top-notch acting and powerful messages on mental health issues.

After spending many years observing Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in mysterious behind-the-scenes activities, we are introduced to the people she has covertly enlisted for her underhanded tasks. Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, desires to escape this dangerous lifestyle, but when Valentina assigns one last mission to her, she encounters various villains who have joined forces with the government, such as U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko). With Red Guardian (David Harbour) acting as a pseudo father figure to her and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), who has recently become a member of Congress, they must collaborate to defeat Valentina and uncover the truth behind Bob (Lewis Pullman).

Essentially, “Thunderbolts” brings a refreshing twist to the MCU, yet it undeniably maintains its Marvel essence. Scattered throughout are comic-book Easter eggs and subtle clues pointing towards future developments within this franchise. Here’s a rundown of some hidden gems in “Thunderbolts” you might have overlooked.

Foreshadowing the shadows

In the Marvel movie “Thunderbolts,” Lewis Pullman’s character, Bob, transforms into a hero called Sentry initially, but later becomes the villain known as The Void. This character proves to be one of the most frightening adversaries to ever emerge in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, causing ordinary New Yorkers to turn into shadows on the ground during the film’s climax. The eerie visuals are even more chilling when you realize that director Jake Schreier revealed to Collider that these disappearances were inspired by real-life images from Hiroshima and similar events. It’s worth noting that the movie hints at The Void’s powers in its opening scene.

Following Yelena’s infiltration into an OXE Group lab, she encounters a prolonged skirmish with the guards in a corridor. This battle scene bears resemblance to the famous hallway fight from “Oldboy,” as it is captured in one continuous shot. However, the composition of the scene subtly distinguishes it. A solitary light source illuminates the scene from above, casting the guards’ shadows rather than their forms as they advance towards Yelena for an attack. The visuals are striking, and this style also hints at the impending arrival of The Void.

In addition to suggesting the impending arrival of the Void, this creative use of shadows offers additional understanding into Yelena’s psychological condition. Initially, we find her perched atop a building, expressing her inner turmoil through an internal monologue revealing her emptiness. As she transitions into the fight sequence, it appears as though she’s not really attacking people but rather their shadows, symbolizing the darkness that pursues her. From a metaphorical standpoint, Yelena must learn to conquer her inner darkness just as Bob does.

There are two versions of OXE in the comics

In the movie “Thunderbolts,” it might be easy to confuse “OXE Group” with “Oscorp” due to their similar-sounding names and the fact that Norman Osborn was a member of the Thunderbolts in the comics, but was not included in the MCU. However, the OXE Group is actually Valentina’s secretive organization, which she is facing impeachment for her association with, as it has been linked to criminal activities such as human experimentation on Bob. In an attempt to hide these crimes, Valentina sends the Thunderbolts to cover up her wrongdoings.

In 2011, The OXE Group was first introduced in the third issue of “Ultimate Fallout,” written by Jonathan Hickman, Nick Spencer, Steve Kurth, Eric Nguyen, and Carlo Pagulayan. Notably, this story took place in the Earth-1610 universe rather than the primary Earth-616 timeline, but Valentina was still the founder of the group within that alternate reality. The revised version of OXE (with periods between the letters and no longer including “Group”) later made its appearance in Earth-616 within “Thunderbolts” Volume 5, issue 1, penned by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and Geraldo Borges.

1) In December 2023, the fifth volume of “Thunderbolts” was released, with a publication date set for January 2024. This storyline is set in a world where the Thunderbolts are initially formed by a Life Model Decoy of Valentina, and Bucky Barnes seeks her assistance to assemble a new team mirroring the one from the film. The comic’s lineup includes Yelena, Red Guardian, and U.S. Agent. It appears that some inspiration has been drawn from previous iterations of the group. Regardless of the context, it’s clear that the OXE Group/O.X.E., along with Valentina, are always involved in questionable activities across all universes.

On your left

The phrase “On your left” has become quite popular in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as a humorous running gag. First uttered by Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) during the start of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” it remains one of the funniest moments in that film. Later on, Sam reciprocates by saying it when he flies through a portal in “Avengers: Endgame.” It’s fitting (or questionable, depending on your perspective) that this phrase is also used by John Walker, the unorthodox Captain America, or U.S. Agent, in “Thunderbolts.

In the confines of OXE’s vault, Walker, Yelena, Ghost, and Taskmaster are ensnared. A newcomer named Bob joins their predicament, but tragedy strikes as Taskmaster is critically injured. With the incinerator ticking down, the surviving trio must devise a quick escape plan. The spectral Ghost is blocked by a sonic gadget from passing through the wall, which could potentially save her comrades. Their mission becomes clear: they must eliminate the device’s power source. After careful contemplation, Walker proposes the simplest solution – to smash it apart. Addressing Yelena for safety, he says, “Step aside to my left.

Walker shares a similar background to Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson, both being veterans. If he wasn’t deliberately imitating Rogers, it’s plausible he picked up similar jargon during his military service. This subtle connection could have gone unnoticed amidst the excitement.

Red Guardian already drove through the desert

Following their escape from the vault, Yelena, U.S. Agent, and Ghost are collected by Red Guardian in a desert region. This occurs after Red Guardian eavesdropped on Valentina’s scheme to eliminate them all following a gala event. During the ride, they encounter some unexpected trouble as OXE associates attempt to attack them. However, fortunately, Bucky is tracking their movements and successfully neutralizes their adversaries. The entire scenario bears a striking resemblance to events portrayed in Marvel’s “What If…?” series.

In Season 3, there’s an episode titled “What If… the Red Guardian Had Halted the Winter Soldier?” This storyline explores what would happen if the Red Guardian prevented Bucky from killing the Starks. Instead, they team up and make their way back to Russia with the help of a character named Rook. During this adventure, they navigate through a desert while avoiding capture by Bill Foster, played by Laurence Fishburne. The visuals in this sequence are reminiscent of the “Thunderbolts” scene, as Red Guardian is driving in both instances. However, Bucky isn’t in the car with him this time around, so we miss out on their usual witty exchanges. Some might argue that Red Guardian cruising across an American desert is now a confirmed event in the canon.

The fate of Avengers Tower is finally revealed

As a dedicated Marvel fan for years, I’ve often wondered who took over Avengers Tower when the team disbanded. Some guessed the Fantastic Four or Wilson Fisk, but “Thunderbolts” reveals that it’s now owned by none other than Valentina. After witnessing Bob’s powers in action, she swiftly moved in to host a press conference, even renaming the building the Watchtower – fittingly, as it was also Sentry’s headquarters in the comics.

In this scenario, there exists a strong artificial intelligence system, named the Centrally Located Organic Computer (CLOC), within a hidden tower that notifies the hero about worldwide crises. Following an event where Sentry causes global amnesia, people lose knowledge of both the tower and its existence. Despite remaining unseen, the tower persists on the same plot of land. The humor arises when Tony Stark constructs his own tower as a base for the New Avengers on the same piece of land. When Sentry resurfaces, so does the Watchtower; it now stands proudly atop the new Stark Tower.

In the comic “Thunderbolts,” the Watchtower functions as Sentry’s headquarters, as it is where Valentina intends to present him as the world’s new protector. By the end of the movie, the Thunderbolts are referred to as the New Avengers, making the Watchtower serve dual purposes: it becomes both their base and Sentry’s, much like the unconventional Stark Tower/Watchtower structure.

Does Mel have a future as a Thunderbolt?

In “Thunderbolts,” Valentina receives significant help from Mel (Geraldine Viswanathan), who shows signs of indecision regarding her allegiance. Although it’s evident that she harbors doubts about Valentina’s actions, she ultimately pulls the trigger on Sentry, displaying a mix of virtuous and malicious traits. This complex character dynamic makes Mel an ideal candidate for the Thunderbolts squad, and there’s a suggestion that she could become a member in the future.

If you scrutinize closely, you might spot Mel adorning a circular pendant featuring a bird design in the center. While we don’t have her surname, there’s a chance she could be Melissa Gold, a character known as Songbird in Marvel Comics who has used the alias of Songbird. At one point, she was also known as Screaming Mimi when she joined the Masters of Evil. However, she later turned over a new leaf and became part of the Thunderbolts on multiple occasions. Her allegiances can fluctuate between good and evil, but she’s always a formidable figure due to her enhanced vocal cords, capable of unleashing sonic attacks.

In the initial formation of the Thunderbolts, I was Songbird, working under the command of Baron Zemo who masqueraded as a heroic leader to deceive the world and execute his villainous schemes. Some of us on the team, including myself, enjoyed the heroic image we projected, so when we began to suspect Zemo’s true intentions, we rose up against him.

In “Thunderbolts,” Mel also experiences a similar journey as she rebels against Valentina. However, by the film’s conclusion, it appears that she has reconciled with her former leader once more.

Valentina stands where Tony stood

Fans might have initially taken pleasure in the return of Avengers Tower, given its iconic status. It would be great if it remains significant in upcoming movies like “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”. However, a darker interpretation arises when Valentina replicates Tony Stark’s actions from “The Avengers”, making the tower seem ominous instead.

In the movie, Tony (Robert Downey Jr.) casually pours a drink as he talks to Loki (Tom Hiddleston), conveying his collected composure and giving the impression that things will turn out alright despite the challenges at hand. However, this sense of reassurance is contradicted when Valentina does the same. She stands behind the bar while the Thunderbolts face her, pouring a drink to show she’s unfazed by them because she has Sentry on her side.

In both situations, you’ve got characters confronting significantly stronger opponents. However, one character is someone we root for, hoping they triumph, while the other is someone we wish would be imprisoned. This intriguing twist underscores the fact that the Avengers are absent, and in their void, wickedness has been permitted to flourish.

Sentry is… Invincible

As a gamer, I can tell you that Sentry is Marvel’s equivalent of Superman, but with a twist. His ‘kryptonite’, if you will, isn’t some exotic rock from another planet; instead, it’s his own self-doubt and inner turmoil. In the epic battle at the Watchtower against the Thunderbolts, I was reminded of how overpowered he truly is. They couldn’t stand a chance against him, with him effortlessly sending any of them flying. And when they did land a hit? It didn’t even faze him in the slightest. Both Valentina and Bob have referred to Sentry as ‘invincible’, but that term can’t help but bring up memories of his original characterization.

Initially, Steven Yeun was set to play the role of Sentry in a movie, but he left the production after the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which caused filming schedules to be delayed and rescheduled. Although missing out on this opportunity might seem disappointing, Yeun is still thriving as he continues to voice the main character in Amazon’s praised animated series “Invincible,” a role based on Robert Kirkman’s comic book of the same name.

In the frequent use of “invincible” within the series “Thunderbolts,” it sparked our curiosity as to whether this was an intentional reference to Yeun’s character, with the writers either not altering it post-recast or intentionally giving a nod to Yeun. It might just be our imagination running wild, but it’s an intriguing detail that could potentially ignite discussions among viewers about who would prevail in a hypothetical Sentry vs. Invincible battle.

We learn what the asterisk is for

One intriguing mystery in “Thunderbolts*” lies within its title, as fans ponder the significance of the asterisk at the end. Some suggest that it symbolizes the six members of the team or possibly six objects coming together, like bullets. The movie also incorporates imagery of the asterisk, such as when characters Yelena, Bob, Ghost, and U.S. Agent, while escaping from an elevator shaft, form a shape reminiscent of an asterisk with their bodies against the wall.

As a fanatic follower of the Marvel Universe, I must share an interesting tidbit about the team named Thunderbolts in the movies. You see, the moniker originates from Yelena’s old soccer squad, also known as the Thunderbolts. She playfully uses this fact to poke fun at John Walker, hinting at his high school football background and leadership skills. Red Guardian gleefully adopts the name, making it official for our team. Although it may seem a bit preposterous, it’s just as absurd as the comic book origin stories we all love.

The name was actually coined by Baron Zemo, who claimed it was inspired by a quote from 17th-century poet Thomas Randolph: “Justice, like lightning, ever should appear to few men’s ruin, but to all men’s fear. Our hope is that we can be that lightning — that justice.” This quote, however, is questionable in its authenticity, but who cares? It adds a touch of literary flair to our team’s name, don’t you think?

Instead, a shocking twist unfolds in the movie’s finale: the team isn’t actually the Thunderbolts. An asterisk (*) was used earlier to hint at this. Valentina presents them as the New Avengers instead, and the final title sequence reveals the “Thunderbolts*” logo fading away, replaced by “The New Avengers.

Jake Schreier gives his college roommate a special thanks in the credits

To watch the final post-credit scene with significant multiverse implications, you’ll have to endure lengthy credits first. If you pay close attention under “Special Thanks,” you’ll spot Jon Watts on the list. You might presume his presence is due to him being Tom Holland’s director for three Spider-Man films, making him a longtime member of the Marvel family. However, there’s more to their connection than just the MCU. In fact, their relationship stretches back even before the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In a conversation with Collider, Schreier shared that Jon Watts, who was my college roommate, is one of my close friends. Notably, I worked on part of the L.A. production for one of the Spider-Man films, which gives me a unique connection to that world. Moreover, Schreier directed an episode titled “You Have a Lot to Learn About Pirates” in the Star Wars series Skeleton Crew, which Watts co-created. While many may recall college roommates for their unwashed bed sheets, this relationship has fostered a prosperous creative partnership that not many can claim. Can you imagine?

2025-05-02 03:32