The Avengers Spoiled Thunderbolts? Think Again

by

Since the five-hour live stream of Avengers: Doomsday made it clear that several characters from the upcoming movie Thunderbolts* would be returning, there’s been a widespread feeling among fans like me that this has taken away some of the surprise and excitement for the film. It was announced that actors such as Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, and Hannah John-Kamen will reprise their roles as Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, and Ghost, respectively. This also includes Lewis Pullman, who is set to portray Bob Reynolds/The Sentry in the upcoming Avengers team-up, a surprising twist given that he was initially cast as the film’s main antagonist.

It’s important to note that not all members of the Thunderbolts team have been confirmed to appear again. Specifically missing from the Avengers: Doomsday cast were Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster. This could indicate that these characters may not survive. Many fans have speculated that Taskmaster’s demise was imminent after the first trailer for Thunderbolts, as she did not receive significant focus in the A24-style “pure cinema” trailer.

Even though several Thunderbolts* cast members are featured in Avengers: Doomsday, this doesn’t necessarily mean the movie is spoiled. This assumption arises from fans speculating about potential character deaths based on similarities to DC Comics’ Thunderbolts. However, the filmmakers have not confirmed any such connections. The movie isn’t “spoiled” because the main characters’ fates were never in doubt.

‘Thunderbolts*’ Is Not ‘Suicide Squad’… But People Keep Thinking It Is

Since the introduction of Thunderbolts, they’ve often been described in layman’s terms as “Marvel’s equivalent of DC’s Suicide Squad.” Over the past decade, there have been two Suicide Squad films and a popular video game, making the Suicide Squad an easily recognizable concept for many – a group of villainous characters compelled to act as heroes, usually serving in a black ops capacity.

Although Thunderbolts* and Suicide Squad comics share numerous similarities, they do differ somewhat in terms of motivation and approach. The moniker “Suicide Squad” suggests a level of mortality for its members, implying potential fatalities. Conversely, the Thunderbolts* series does not carry this implication, and the characters’ status within the comic does not hint at a storyline where only a few survivors would be left after a massacre.

The name “Thunderbolts” is derived from a band of villains in Marvel Comics who masqueraded as heroes to the masses while concealing their true agendas. During the 2000s, this group gained prominence during the “Civil War” comic series and its sequels. Following these events, they transformed into The Dark Avengers and became a government-backed superhero team that presented themselves to the public.

It was a common belief among Marvel fans that when the team called Thunderbolts was announced, they would take on the role left by the Avengers, who were seen as not being a legitimate organization anymore. This idea was further supported by hints dropped in projects such as Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. These clues seemed to indicate that the Thunderbolts would be a government-approved group of villains or at least morally ambiguous characters.

The previews for Thunderbolts reveal a distinctly contrasting atmosphere compared to Suicide Squad. Initially, these characters are not brought together to battle a formidable enemy but instead are tasked with eliminating each other and meeting their demise. Their role is designed to eliminate any threats that could overshadow the government’s main superhero, The Sentry. Consequently, they are portrayed as disposable assets, loose ends the authorities wish to tidy up in order to highlight their more prominent hero. This concept of them being Marvel’s version of the Suicide Squad has persisted since the first trailer was released, a notion that fans have absorbed and continue to discuss, much like Dr. Murphy (Marc Evan Jackson) from 22 Jump Street puts it: “They embed that information.

Our instinct is often to quickly grasp and rely on initial information, which may lead us to disregard or overlook conflicting data.

As a devoted Marvel enthusiast, I’ve found myself deeply invested in the concept of the Thunderbolts, often referred to as Marvel’s version of DC’s Suicide Squad. My imagination has been running wild with expectations for the upcoming movie, even though Marvel Studios has made it clear that no significant characters are expected to meet their end on the big screen.

The Thunderbolts Surviving Appears to Be the Point of the Movie

The marketing for Thunderbolts has consistently highlighted the outsider status of the team. Even from its announcement, the film has stirred doubt among some Marvel enthusiasts. It may seem puzzling why Marvel Studios would dedicate one of their movie slots to a team primarily composed of secondary characters. While audiences appreciate Bucky and Yelena, many fans might be perplexed to find U.S. Agent, Red Guardian, or Ghost taking the leading roles in a major summer blockbuster. This sentiment is not uncommon: “What’s so special about these characters?

Indeed, it’s quite intriguing. The movie seems to be subtly employing a metanarrative device with Thunderbolts*. It underscores the sense of disorientation experienced by the characters, who find themselves insignificant amidst a sea of heroes, overshadowed by their own past mistakes and the radiance of others’ greatness.

The interesting twist here is that the characters forming the Thunderbolts* are assembled under the pretense of imminent death. This suggests that, in the world of the MCU (and to us viewers), these characters are perceived as disposable, expendable, or simply not worth saving.

Killing off several Thunderbolts would contradict the movie’s message, and it seems more like the perspective of a character such as Val to delight in their demise for the sake of raising stakes. Instead, the Thunderbolts, both individually and as a team, will demonstrate that they are valuable characters rather than mere expendable props. The fact that these characters are set to appear in “Avengers: Doomsday” is not a spoiler but a testament to the creative direction of the storyline.

Did Marvel Actually Spoil ‘Thunderbolts*’?

Back in February 2017, three months before Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hit the big screen, Michael Rooker, one of its stars, shared a couple of photos on Instagram wearing an Avengers: Infinity War beanie. This sparked speculation that he was in the film, but it turned out to be a clever misdirection to prevent spoiling the fact that his character Yondu would meet his end in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Just because an actor’s name appears on the cast list for Thunderbolts doesn’t guarantee their character won’t meet a tragic fate or play a different role altogether. They could appear in flashbacks, as alternate universe versions, or as one of Mystique’s many disguises. The truth about Avengers: Doomsday remains shrouded in mystery, and there’s still so much we don’t know.

Although we were aware of it, was it really a problem that Loki was revealed as the villain in The Avengers when everyone knew he would return the following year? After all, both Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger premiered in 2011, with The Avengers already in production for a 2012 release. Similarly, since Iron Man 3 was being filmed as The Avengers hit theaters, did knowing that Iron Man would not perish take away from the excitement of watching it? It seems strange that Thunderbolts is criticized for following a similar pattern – the lead in a superhero movie typically survives and defeats the villain – when this is such a common trope.

It’s amusing to think that “Thunderbolts” might be tainted, given that all four actors from The Fantastic Four team have been verified for “Avengers: Doomsday”. Contrarily, the notion that “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” has been spoiled hasn’t gained traction. In fact, viewers anticipated seeing The Fantastic Four in “Avengers: Doomsday”, so what’s the fuss about the Thunderbolts?

Not Everything Is a Spoiler in the MCU

Today’s society seems oversaturated with spoilers. For instance, it’s common knowledge that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father, which can diminish the excitement for those experiencing Star Wars for the first time. However, it’s essential not to be like Homer Simpson and ruin others’ enjoyment by revealing plot twists. The issue lies in how we perceive everything as a potential spoiler, diluting the original meaning of the term. Some people avoid trailers because they fear they might spoil the movie, yet these previews are designed to entice viewers. Consequently, many people remain unaware of new movies unless they see a trailer. This situation can lead to movies underperforming or flopping entirely as audiences shy away from trailers and claim, “I didn’t even know this movie existed.” Essentially, marketing strategies that were once seen as clever methods to generate interest are now viewed as spoilers by some viewers.

In Avengers: Doomsday, the appearance of the Thunderbolts team doesn’t ruin the movie experience, but rather generates anticipation for both projects. Essentially, seeing these characters in action makes Thunderbolts a must-watch as they are part of the upcoming Avengers lineup. This strategy is similar to introducing Spider-Man in the trailer for Captain America: Civil War, which undoubtedly boosted its popularity. It’s no surprise that many significant announcements in 2025 involved characters from upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, such as returning cast members of Captain America: Brave New World, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Thunderbolts. While this marketing technique may be seen as manipulative and suggestive that one Marvel movie is an advertisement for another, it doesn’t technically count as a spoiler.

It seems that the revelation of Thunderbolts in Avengers: Doomsday has sparked a conversation about what truly qualifies as a spoiler. While it’s understandable that some prefer to preserve the purity of their cinematic experiences, the initial viewing will always hold a special place. Films like The Sixth Sense and Fight Club are renowned for their twists, yet revealing that they have one can be seen as a spoiler. However, once you know those twists, the movies remain exceptional on subsequent viewings. Big Marvel productions such as Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Spider-Man: No Way Home were designed to keep secrets, but their enjoyment doesn’t diminish once the dust settles because they tell great stories.

Discovering who’s in the Thunderbolts team for Avengers: Doomsday shouldn’t take away from your enjoyment of the movie. Even if you know the cast, when the film starts, chances are you’ll be fully immersed and not thinking about it. But this knowledge does raise an intriguing question among fans: What role do the Thunderbolts play in Avengers: Doomsday, given the apparent tension between the Avengers and X-Men? It definitely adds to the excitement of seeing the movie. Catch Thunderbolts on May 2, 2025, at a theater near you.

Read More

2025-04-06 22:36