Thunderbolts* Members Who Got Cut From The MCU

As a Marvel enthusiast, I can’t contain my excitement! It’s not just the Avengers who rule the roost in the Marvel universe; another electrifying team is about to take center stage with “Thunderbolts”*. This time, an assortment of adversaries and anti-heroes from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe band together to confront a lethal menace. The lineup includes Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko). While this team is formidable, the filmmakers had a wealth of intriguing characters to choose from among the past Thunderbolts members, making me even more eager to see how they’ll unfold in this story.

Over time, numerous figures, both heroes and villains, have been added to the Thunderbolts group, which first appeared in issue #449 of “The Incredible Hulk” back in 1996. Established as a response to the aftermath of “Onslaught,” this team has since featured prominently in various comic book narratives, such as “Civil War” and “Dark Reign.” The roster frequently undergoes changes due to characters either leaving, joining, or sacrificing their lives in service.

In the “Thunderbolts” film, there were only six main characters (seven if you count Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus), so Marvel Studios had to make some reductions in casting. While it’s reasonable that some characters haven’t been properly introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) yet, others seemed more likely to feature in the movie and perhaps should have been included.

Baron Zemo

One point of debate in “Thunderbolts” concerns the character of Baron Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl). In the comics, it’s interesting to note that Zemo was the original leader of the Thunderbolts team. However, his intentions were not honorable; he secretly played the role of Citizen V and manipulated the team to appear as pure heroes, hoping to gain the world’s trust for eventual conquest. Unfortunately for him, his fellow team members found the thrill of being heroes appealing and eventually resisted his control.

Helmut Zemo has proven himself to be one of the more impactful villains within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In “Captain America: Civil War,” he skillfully dismantled the Avengers by revealing hidden truths, but in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” he temporarily allied with Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes to defeat the Flag Smashers. The series concluded with Zemo being imprisoned at the Raft, yet one wonders if Valentina, given her role as CIA director, could have arranged his release for her Thunderbolts team?

In an interaction with Dexerto, “Thunderbolts” director Jake Schreier clarified that there was no original intention to feature Zemo in the film. He further explained that while some fans might hope for a team consisting of villains disguised as heroes, their movie aims to acknowledge this concept from a different perspective. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Bucky is clearly good, while characters like Ghost and Taskmaster have undergone reform. Given Zemo’s villainous nature, it’s questionable whether he would have fitted in seamlessly with his new teammates.

Hawkeye

While it’s often thought that Marvel’s Thunderbolts resemble DC’s Suicide Squad, this comparison isn’t entirely correct. Unlike the Suicide Squad, who are villains tasked with covert missions, the Thunderbolts don’t have a fixed mission statement. Instead, their purpose tends to vary from one team composition to another. Interestingly, heroes such as Hawkeye have even been part of the Thunderbolts in different iterations.

In comic book series “Thunderbolts” #21, penned by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley, Hawkeye acknowledges his past run-ins with the law and decides he needs to make amends. When Zemo’s scheme falls apart, Hawkeye sees an opportunity for redemption and joins their group. His objective is twofold: to monitor the team closely and offer a government assessment on whether they are deserving of continued existence.

In the current situation, it appears that Jeremy Renner’s character, Hawkeye from the MCU, is temporarily unavailable. The finale of the Disney+ series “Hawkeye” hints that he will focus on his family moving forward, with Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) stepping into the role of Hawkeye. However, given his past as Ronin in “Avengers: Endgame,” MCU’s Hawkeye might have understood the struggles of antiheroes seeking redemption.

Bullseye

In the series “Daredevil: Born Again,” it was evidently shown that Bullseye, portrayed by Wilson Bethel, is ruthless to the core. The initial episode depicts him callously murdering Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) and engaging in a fierce battle with Daredevil (Charlie Cox). The season finale concludes with Bullseye escaping prison, leaving New York City in turmoil as Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) vows to wage war against all vigilantes. Interestingly, in another reality, Bullseye might have teamed up with the Thunderbolts.

In the comics, Bullseye initially becomes part of the group during the “Civil War” storyline. In this version of the Thunderbolts, they worked for Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic, both advocates for the Superhuman Registration Act. Their role was to locate unregistered superheroes and villains who refused to comply with the act. If they didn’t register, they were arrested. Despite their objective, Bullseye was too violent to be let loose – he was kept in a secure cell when not on duty to prevent him from killing anyone.

As a gamer, I was excited to see how Thunderbolts* would unfold, especially since it’s primarily based in and around New York City, a place where the notorious villain Bullseye usually operates. However, considering the MCU version of him, I guess he wasn’t included because he might be too risky for this team-up. Plus, given his serious demeanor, it seems unlikely that he’d engage in lighthearted banter like Red Guardian.

Green Goblin

Currently, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) doesn’t have its own version of Green Goblin as we know it from other universes. Although Norman Osborn (played by Willem Dafoe) appeared in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” he came from another universe and returned to his original dimension at the film’s end. Since there’s no Oscorp in this MCU, it implies that their version of Norman isn’t significant enough to join the Thunderbolts, even though he led that team in the comics.

In the gripping tale of “Civil War,” I find myself, Norman Osborn, assuming leadership over the Thunderbolts, a team appointed by the government. To keep my Green Goblin persona in check, I’m given special medication. The Thunderbolts were then portrayed as heroes, tasked with apprehending those who failed to register as superpowered individuals under the Superhuman Registration Act. Interestingly enough, our team was equipped with nano-chains that would deliver electric shocks if we went against our orders, reminding me a bit of the Suicide Squad.

In a different phrasing, Norman headed a ruthless faction of the Thunderbolts, executing those who didn’t cooperate and subsequently altering any evidence of their murders to preserve an image of heroism. If the Marvel Cinematic Universe decides to portray a true-to-life Norman Osborn in the future, such as in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” there could be a chance that he guides the Thunderbolts towards a darker course in a potential sequel.

Man-Thing

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the iconic character Man-Thing made his debut in “Werewolf by Night.” Unlike numerous other characters on this list, he’s not a villain; instead, he serves as the protector of the Nexus of All Realities. His primary goal is to preserve balance rather than causing chaos. Interestingly, during the “Heroic Age” storyline, Man-Thing even became part of the team. It’s worth noting that when director Jake Schreier was attached to the project, Man-Thing was under consideration for being included in the MCU’s version of the Thunderbolts team.

During a conversation with SFX Magazine, as reported by GamesRadar, Schreier expressed, “At some stage during the pitching process, I had strong feelings about wanting Man-Thing to be part of our team. It wasn’t just about selecting antagonists who could become heroes, but rather characters that reside in the morally ambiguous area or were initially on a different path but faced unexpected obstacles.

It’d be quite intriguing if Man-Thing were part of the team with Yelena and Bucky, known as “The Thunderbolts.” While they already have super soldiers and spies, introducing a genuine monster like Man-Thing – similar to King Shark in “The Suicide Squad” – could’ve added an exciting twist. For the time being, we can only dream of seeing Man-Thing in a future Marvel Cinematic Universe project with a supernatural theme.

Luke Cage

In the comic books, Luke Cage, contrary to popular belief, led the Thunderbolts when Man-Thing was a team member. Leveraging Man-Thing’s abilities connected to the Nexus of All Realities, Luke could transport his team instantly to various locations. This version of the Thunderbolts differed significantly from the villainous lineup that emerged during the “Civil War” storyline. Instead, Luke aimed for these heroes and reformed villains to be seen as genuine heroes, reshaping their image in the public eye. The comic series “Thunderbolts” reflects this approach, focusing on both fallen heroes and those who have turned over a new leaf. On-screen, Luke Cage has so far appeared only in Netflix Marvel productions, with Mike Colter delivering an unforgettable portrayal of the character.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Luke Cage has been kept in reserve for some time, but whispers hint at his potential return in “Daredevil: Born Again” or possibly “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” An intriguing plot twist from the comics is that Cage eventually becomes the mayor of New York City. If Wilson Fisk gets dethroned as mayor in a future season of “Daredevil: Born Again,” Cage might be an ideal candidate to restore order in New York. Since The Thunderbolts served under Fisk during his mayoral term, and Cage took command when he won the office, it’s possible that events could align perfectly for this scenario – given that Colter has expressed a desire to revisit the role.

Deadpool

In a thrilling turn of events, Deadpool and Wolverine shattered box office records, earning over $1 billion, leaving no doubt that Marvel would eventually reintroduce the wisecracking hero. However, one might wonder where such a character who frequently breaks the fourth wall fits within a generally serious universe. A potential solution could be placing him in a team setting. As Happy Hogan hinted to Wade Wilson in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” he may not align perfectly with the Avengers, but he might be an excellent match for the Thunderbolts instead.

As a hardcore gamer (and avid comic book fan), I’ve seen Deadpool go toe-to-toe with the Thunderbolts on more than one occasion. When the puppet master, Norman Osborn, was in charge, he gave the order for the team to take down Deadpool, and they managed to chop off his head. But let me tell you something about Wade Wilson – when he’s down, he’s not out! He eventually returned to life and even ended up joining a fresh group of Thunderbolts under Red Hulk’s leadership.

Currently, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool co-exists in a distinct universe with characters like Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and X-23 (Dafne Keen). However, after the occurrences of “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” there’s a possibility that multiple realities might merge. If this happens, Deadpool could potentially join the Marvel Cinematic Universe and perhaps become part of the Thunderbolts team in the future.

Doctor Octopus

In a similar vein, much like how Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) hasn’t introduced its version of Doctor Octopus as of now, it is Alfred Molina’s character from another universe that appears in “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Dr. Otto Octavius, one of Spiderman’s arch-nemeses, might be ready to team up with the Thunderbolts for the sake of causing further chaos.

As a gamer, I’ve seen Doc Ock team up with the Thunderbolts a few times, but it’s always been according to his own whims, serving whatever self-centered goal he had at hand. During “Civil War,” he briefly joined the Thunderbolts to round up unregistered superhumans, but he left once he realized their mission was futile. In the “Devil’s Reign” arc, he reappeared alongside a new Thunderbolts unit when Wilson Fisk became New York City mayor and decided to arrest all vigilantes. Eventually, Doc Ock ended up apprehending Reed Richards and Sue Storm of the Fantastic Four.

Known for his exceptional intelligence, Doctor Octopus often believes he has superior knowledge compared to others. This attitude can lead to complications when collaborating within a team, such as the Thunderbolts, Sinister Six, or Masters of Evil. His disagreements may stir up conflicts, but they certainly keep readers engaged and intrigued.

Lady Deathstrike

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there is a rich pool of established characters to work with. Yet, many more remain unseen, such as Yuriko Oyama, famously known as Lady Deathstrike. Previously portrayed by Kelly Hu in “X-Men 2” and making a brief appearance in “Deadpool & Wolverine” played by Jade Lye, she is yet to join the MCU. The MCU seeks a distinct version of Lady Deathstrike that will be exclusively theirs.

During the “Civil War” incident, Lady Deathstrike was among the Thunderbolts, who stood behind Iron Man as he faced Captain America’s troops. A word of caution: If you’re working with characters like Bullseye and Lady Deathstrike, it might be wise to reassess your actions to ensure they align with what is truly beneficial. In the subsequent fight, she clashed with Spider-Man and Captain America but was ultimately defeated by Namor’s Atlantean forces. Lady Deathstrike serves as a testament to the diverse nature of the Thunderbolts team, consisting of both heroes and individuals who are relentless in their tactics against adversaries, and she falls into the latter category.

Punisher

It appears that the character Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher, seems ideally suited for a collaboration with the Thunderbolts. He doesn’t fit neatly into the categories of hero or villain, instead occupying a moral gray zone, which makes him an attractive option for a team like the Thunderbolts who might require such flexibility. It’s somewhat unexpected that the Punisher has only been part of this squad on one occasion in the comics, when Red Hulk was in charge. During this time, he worked alongside Deadpool and Elektra; however, the team eventually deceived him, forcing him to resume his life as an outlaw vigilante.

In the upcoming mission, the Thunderbolts, now under Baron Zemo’s command, are employed by Wilson Fisk to track down and capture the Punisher. However, luck was on their side as Black Widow, Ghost Rider, and Moon Knight aided them. The good guys eventually triumphed when Ghost Rider double-crossed Zemo. “Daredevil: Born Again” reintroduced the Punisher into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the post-credits scene at the end hints that he’ll break free from Fisk’s grasp and continue his crusade against evil once more. Jon Bernthal’s portrayal of the character is engaging, but perhaps too intense for the Thunderbolts in the MCU.

Red Hulk

For those unfamiliar, it might seem puzzling why Harrison Ford’s character, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, isn’t in “The Thunderbolts.” However, these two characters share the same name but have no connection. In the original comic book team, Zemo assigns the Thunderbolt title based on a quote by Thomas Randolph: “Justice, like lightning, should strike few but be feared by all.” Interestingly, it appears that Randolph never actually said this, yet it underscores the fact that the Thunderbolts have no relation to the character “Thunderbolt” Ross.

Later on, Red Hulk established a fresh Thunderbolts squad, recruiting Deadpool, Elektra, Punisher, and Venom, among others. He selected them because, as he stated in “Thunderbolts” Vol. 2 #1, they are beyond cure. He also provided an interpretation for the team’s name: “We will strike without pity, without dread of retribution, without regard for political affiliations or standing. We will strike like lightning striking the ground.” Much like Zemo, he uses “lightning” instead of “thunder,” but it’s already past the stage for making changes to the team name at this point.

Eric O’Grady

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, two distinct characters have taken on the alias of Ant-Man; Hank Pym (portrayed by Michael Douglas) and Scott Lang (Paul Rudd). As of now, the MCU has not yet introduced another comic book version of Ant-Man named Eric O’Grady. He was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who seized one of Pym’s old Ant-Man suits and subsequently transformed into another incarnation of the hero. When Norman Osborn assembled a new Thunderbolts team, he enlisted O’Grady as a member.

As a covert operative, I’ve often found myself executing clandestine missions under the orders of Osborn, even going as far as taking down Deadpool when he was requested. In an unforgettable turn of events back in 2009, I found myself starring in “Thunderbolts” #128, where I had the honor to interact with then-president Barack Obama. To his surprise, it wasn’t just any pilot aboard Air Force One; it was me, disguised as Yelena Belova, sneaked onto that aircraft by Osborn himself.

Rudd has officially joined the cast for “Avengers: Doomsday,” however, given the high mortality rate in this film, he might not be seen much longer. If necessary, O’Grady stands ready to step into the role of Ant-Man in future Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, possibly joining a restructured Thunderbolts team. Known for his womanizing and comic antics, O’Grady would make for an entirely unique miniature superhero – the moniker “The Irredeemable Ant-Man” speaks volumes about his character.

2025-04-30 16:32