Disney trolls itself with Marvel’s Thunderbolts and Lilo & Stitch prank

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Previously in the past week, the Marvel Cinematic Universe changed the title of its upcoming film, Thunderbolts, and clarified that enigmatic asterisk. However, Disney has made another surprising move with a humorous Lilo & Stitch twist. Attention: Spoilers are coming up!

The film “Thunderbolts” is experiencing tremendous success at cinemas worldwide, raking in over $161 million during its initial weekend. This impressive haul can undoubtedly be attributed to the overwhelmingly positive reviews it received. Notably, the Marvel production garnered an 88% and 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and viewers alike.

Among many discussions prior to its debut, much speculation surrounded the significance of the asterisk in the title. Various interpretations emerged, but with the conclusion of Thunderbolts, we finally have an answer: the asterisk stood in for the actual title, “The New Avengers.

For those who may have missed the announcement, a billboard in Los Angeles underwent an update, making it appear as if someone had torn away part of the Thunderbolts title to unveil “The New Avengers” beneath. However, the billboard has been revised again recently.

Thunderbolts billboard torn to shreds by Stitch 

The billboard for Marvel’s dynamic team, Thunderbolts or the New Avengers, has undergone another change. Now, it’s advertising Disney’s upcoming live-action film based on Lilo & Stitch.

— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) May 8, 2025

It appears that Stitch, the character, is tearing up a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) poster to advertise the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch film by Disney. Since Disney also owns Marvel Entertainment, this can be seen as a playful jab or self-trolling.

On May 7th, Netflix’s social director Jarett Wieselman posted a picture showing an alteration in the Marvel’s Thunderbolts/New Avengers billboard. His caption indicated that the update now advertises Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch film.

Everyone merits a chance for redemption.

1. “They said that the phrase fits perfectly with Stitch, while another user found it clever marketing by Disney.”

2. “One person thought the quote was a great fit for Stitch, and another appreciated the smart marketing by Disney.”

3. “The first commenter felt the statement matched well with Stitch, and the second one admired Disney’s clever marketing.”

4. “A user noted that the saying made sense when applied to Stitch, while another praised Disney for their savvy marketing.”

5. “One person observed that the phrase was fitting for Stitch, and another found Disney’s approach as good marketing.”

6. “The first comment highlighted that the quote suited Stitch well, and the second one appreciated the strategic marketing by Disney.”

Is anyone else just as thrilled about this film as I am? I’m anticipating/hoping it surpasses all expectations. This was the contribution of the third person.

I’m not a fan of live-action remakes, but instead, I find myself drawn to those lighthearted, humorous films that have a positive vibe. They seem to evade Hollywood’s explanation, and I can’t get enough of them.

A fourth stated, “This is super cool marketing on Disney’s part.”

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I found myself a bit puzzled by the recent stunt, considering that the Thunderbolts movie is still fresh off its opening night, and the much-anticipated Lilo & Stitch live-action remake isn’t set to hit the screens for another fortnight.

One individual expressed puzzlement by saying, “It seems like Disney is poking fun at its own creations, and I’m left scratching my head.” Another wondered, “Is Disney trying to subtly criticize or promote itself with this? It feels like a mix of both.

“Disney really moved fast with that one didn’t they,” added a third. 

Currently, you can catch Thunderbolts in theaters, with the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake set for release on May 23, 2025. In the meantime, delve into Thunderbolts’ post-credits scenes, top movies available on Disney+, and a comprehensive list of all upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe titles to keep you entertained!

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2025-05-08 12:36