How Thunderbolts* Saved The New Phases Of The MCU

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There’s been a lot of discussion about the direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe lately. For its first ten years, the franchise was hugely successful, culminating in the epic finale of the Infinity Saga with Avengers: Endgame. Even the films and shows that followed, like Spider-Man: Far From Home, Black Widow, WandaVision, and Loki, were generally well-received. But more recently, the quality has been inconsistent.

Recent movies and shows have had a mixed reception, with some being poorly received and others feeling disconnected from the larger storyline. This has created an uneven path leading up to the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Unlike the clear build-up to Avengers: Infinity War, where everything felt connected, the current situation is confusing and frustrating for dedicated fans who have followed all the content.

The movie Thunderbolts was a surprising success that addressed some problems with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Few people anticipated that a film focusing on lesser-known characters would be so well-received or play such a crucial role in the MCU’s overall story. In many ways, Thunderbolts revitalized the more recent phases of the franchise.

Thunderbolts Tied Together Several Post-Endgame Stories

Many predicted Thunderbolts would fail because it didn’t feature established, popular heroes like Deadpool, Captain Marvel, or Thor. Instead, the team was made up of lesser-known characters – heroes who usually played supporting roles or outright villains – making it a risky marketing proposition. Surprisingly, this unconventional cast actually benefited the film, allowing it to build on stories introduced after Avengers: Endgame.

As a fan, I really think focusing on Yelena Belova was a brilliant decision. She’s the most developed character we’ve gotten since Endgame, and I was already invested in her story. I also loved seeing Bucky Barnes get so much screen time – he’s practically the co-lead! Bringing John Walker back was smart too. It not only made his appearance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier feel more connected, but it was interesting to see where he ended up after everything that happened with the Captain America role.

Alexei, who adopted Yelena, continues his story from Black Widow. However, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is a key figure connecting everything. She’s appeared in shows like Hawkeye and the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and always seems to have a hidden agenda. She’s responsible for assembling the team, secretly bought Avengers Tower, and ultimately decides to call them the Avengers. Unlike Nick Fury, her motives are unclear and a bit mysterious.

The Team In Thunderbolts Feels Like A Family

The fun thing about Thunderbolts is seeing the team come together for the first time and build relationships, much like the original Avengers in 2012. This fresh dynamic, where we watch them bond before becoming established heroes, makes the story feel unique. Ultimately, what makes it work so well is the feeling that these characters are a true family.

While the original Avengers were a strong team, they didn’t feel like a close-knit family. The Guardians of the Galaxy captured that family dynamic much better, and the Thunderbolts have taken it even further. This team is made up of flawed individuals who depend on and understand each other to succeed. They defeat their enemies not just through strength, but by working together and genuinely supporting one another – a heartfelt group connection is what ultimately saves the day.

You know, it’s really neat how they made me actually care about the Thunderbolts. Honestly, going in, I didn’t think I’d get invested in these characters at all. But by the time Avengers: Doomsday came around, I was totally hooked – I was genuinely worried about what would happen to them, all because of the groundwork they laid earlier. It’s a testament to good storytelling when a team I initially didn’t care about becomes a group I’m rooting for.

The Movie Makes Us Care About These Characters

It’s surprising how much we’ve come to care about these characters. While Yelena and Bucky already had established histories through previous movies and shows, giving fans a reason to connect with them, the film successfully developed the rest of the group despite the challenge.

John Walker started as a villain, known for being a failed Captain America and even committing murder on television. However, the show explores his journey towards becoming an ally and allows us to feel sympathy for him, especially considering the loss of his family – a loss brought on by his own choices, but one he’s trying to make amends for. Similarly, Alexei, while a compelling character in Black Widow, was largely defined by his past actions and the harm that came to his adopted daughters. Thunderbolts gives him a chance to show a lighter side, with more humor, and to develop a stronger, more fatherly relationship with Yelena.

While Thunderbolts isn’t flawless, it still doesn’t fully explore Ava Starr’s character. She has a few good scenes, but her backstory remains largely unchanged. Bob, a brand new character, is particularly interesting thanks to his unique powers and relatable struggles with mental health. His connection with Yelena makes him a character audiences will want to see more of.

Thunderbolts Helps Set Up Avengers: Doomsday

A major complaint about the Marvel Cinematic Universe right now is that recent storylines feel disconnected. Unlike previous Avengers movies, there hasn’t been a strong build-up to the next big threat, Avengers: Doomsday. We haven’t really gotten to know the main villain, the teams aren’t well-established – often made up of characters we’ve only seen briefly – and everything just hasn’t quite come together yet.

Fortunately, Thunderbolts does a good job of connecting things for the future. It not only introduces one of the key teams for the next big movie, but the scene after the credits also gives us clues about what else is coming. Bucky mentions that Sam Wilson doesn’t like the team being called the Avengers, suggesting there will be conflict between them in Avengers: Doomsday. The post-credits scene also shows how the Fantastic Four will fit into the story, building up to Avengers: Doomsday even further.

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2026-05-12 16:09