Thunderbolts* Ending: MCU’s Dark Turn & Future Team-Ups Explained

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Thunderbolts*

Introduces a fresh team to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, composed of discarded super soldiers and assassins, along with a climactic ending that ranks among the loudest explosions in the Multiverse Saga thus far. Although the movie’s unveiling initially sparked indifference, and the motley crew of heroes seemed barely worthy of B-list status, Thunderbolts* surpasses expectations by playing a pivotal role in establishing the final acts of the Multiverse Saga.

The film primarily centered on minor characters who had appeared in past MCU films, and introduced a standout character named Bob Reynolds into the mix. It provided some closure regarding characters like Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, but the main theme of the movie revolves around the creation of a fresh superhero team. However, the finale takes an unexpected turn from the preceding narrative, hinting at the upcoming Marvel Studios productions with a noticeable change in tone.

How The Thunderbolts And Bob Defeat The Void Explained

In the final scene of “Thunderbolts“, the unconventional heroes unite, deciding to venture into nothingness for the sake of rescuing the situation. Reminiscent of their heroic predecessors, these unlikely allies disregard their own well-being to halt the impending devastation and turmoil engulfing New York City. Yelena Belova takes the initiative, stepping into The Void in search of the troubled Bob. However, she finds herself trapped within a horrific realm where her most distressing recollections are constantly replayed. Yet, not long after, Yelena manages to locate Bob.

As I delved into his psyche, I glimpsed some moments that molded this tormented soul, extending him solace and empathy. Together, we resolved to escape from this mental fortress. However, Bob’s sinister side retaliated. Yet, with the help of my fellow companions, we navigated our way to Bob’s deepest memory, where a confrontation between Bob and The Void ensued. But it wasn’t until Bob was enveloped by his newfound friends, and dragged away from the battle, that we successfully freed ourselves from The Void, restoring the city to its tranquil state.

What Happened To Bob/Sentry/The Void’s Powers

14 months later in the movie, the team restructures and becomes known as The New Avengers, yet Bob seems less active in superhero roles. In the New Avengers’ tower, Bob is often found engrossed in a book, expressing his regret that he can’t join in, but he’s quick to explain that using his powers could potentially bring back The Void. Given the circumstances, it’s understandable that Bob retains his powers, but he chooses to restrain them to maintain control.

What The Other Thunderbolts May Have Seen In Their Rooms

In the movie, only Yelena, Bob, and John Walker’s rooms were briefly shown, but not those of Alexei Shostakov, Ava Starr, or Bucky Barnes. However, each of these characters carries a heavy burden of regret and sorrow that could be reflected in their private spaces. For instance, Ghost (Ava) might have witnessed the people she was tasked to kill, or been trapped in the labs where her molecular transformation occurred. Alexei may regretfully have watched as his adopted daughters, Yelena and Black Widow, were taken by the Red Room agents. Lastly, Bucky has a long history of working for HYDRA, which has left him with more guilt than most for the lives he’s affected over the years.

The New Avengers Explained: Marvel Comics History And What’s Next In The MCU

In the comics, the New Avengers underwent a significant transformation following the Registration Act, similar to the Sokovia Accords in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After escaping from The Raft, a new team was formed, with Captain America and Iron Man serving as its original members. They subsequently recruited Luke Cage, Spider-Man, and Spider-Woman to their ranks. Additionally, they extended invitations to Daredevil and Sentry, but Daredevil declined the invitation and Sentry vanished. Throughout their history, Bucky eventually joined when he assumed the Captain America role, although the team’s formation in the comics differs significantly from that in the MCU.

In the comics, the New Avengers were a secretive, rule-breaking band of heroes, while official teams answered to the government. However, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the New Avengers seem to work within the law and are widely known, whereas Sam Wilson’s team might be less compliant with the government despite being more favored by the public.

The New Avengers Team Roster Confirmed

The latest roster of heroes features some fresh faces from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), such as Red Guardian and US Agent. However, Bob, also known as Sentry, who was initially part of the lineup when Valentina introduced the team, is not included this time. Since Bob struggles with controlling his powers, he’s perceived by the public as not being a member of the team. Moreover, it seems that Yelena has taken charge of the team, with Bucky Barnes, one of the oldest characters in the MCU both in terms of age and storyline, providing support.

Name Alias Powers/Skills First Appearance Actor
Yelena Belova Black Widow Highly Skilled Assassin, Widow’s Bite Electrified Wrist Launchers Black Widow (2021) Florence Pugh
Bucky Barnes The Winter Soldier Enhanced With Super Soldier Serum, Vibranium Prosthethic Arm, Highly Skilled Assassin Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) Sebastian Stan
Alexei Shostakov Red Guardian Enhanced With Knock-Off Super Soldier Serum Black Widow (2021) David Harbour
Ava Starr Ghost Quantum Mutation Resulting In Phasing Abilities, Highly Skilled Assassin Ant-Man & The Wasp (2018) Kamen
John Walker US Agent Enhanced With Super Soldier Serum, Decorated Veteran & War Hero The Falcon And The Winter Soldier (2021) Wyatt Russell

What Yelena Meant When She Told Valentina “We Own You Now”

In the novel “Thunderbolts,” Valentina was working hard to prevent herself from being removed from her high-ranking government position as CIA Director, due to her involvement in controversial, clandestine medical procedures that resulted in an undisclosed number of fatalities. As a result, she found herself in a precarious situation, or more specifically, she was facing significant trouble. Additionally, Yelena and her team of assassins were actively working towards Valentina’s impeachment.

In this scenario, instead of saying “Yelena was sure to let her know that they ‘own’ her,” a more natural way to phrase it could be: “Yelena made it clear to Valentina that she and the team hold control over her.” This is because the original sentence implies a sense of ownership in a personal or materialistic context, while the new sentence emphasizes control and decision-making power.

The Significance Of The New Avengers Wheaties Box

At the beginning of the movie, when Alexei teams up with other heroes, he is thrilled about the opportunity to form a new hero team. He even casually suggests that they could grace the cover of a popular cereal box like Wheaties. In America, being featured on the Wheaties box is a prestigious honor, typically bestowed upon elite athletes, usually gold medalists, reflecting Wheaties’ reputation as the “Breakfast of Champions.” Initially, Alexei viewed this as a far-fetched idea, but as it turns out, their team develops a strong bond with sponsors, and they do manage to make it onto the cover of the Wheaties box.

What The Thunderbolts* Ending Means For Fantastic Four: First Steps And Avengers: Doomsday

In the final moments of the movie Thunderbolts, Yelena and their team bring up a “space emergency.” As they scrutinize their screens, an image of The Fantastic Four’s spacecraft soaring through the heavens unexpectedly appears. This seemingly hints at the catastrophic conclusion of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, occurring in an alternate reality, which seems poised to meet its end, paving the way for these heroes to journey to Earth 616 ahead of Avengers: Doomsday.

It’s worth noting that the appearance of The Fantastic Four in “Avengers: Doomsday” might suggest a significant event causing their realities to intersect. Given their high-profile debut within the Sacred Timeline, it’s likely they’ll be welcomed by Earth’s superheroes and defenders, including teams like the New Avengers and Sam Wilson’s Avengers. This could provide an excellent launching pad for “Avengers: Doomsday”.

The Real Meaning Of The Thunderbolts* Ending Explained

This movie isn’t just visually engaging; it also delves into profound themes and symbolism that venture into complex psychological realms typically uncommon for Marvel Cinematic Universe films. Topics like mental health, depression, and anxiety are thoughtfully explored. The main character, Bob, is a victim of traumatic childhood experiences, leading to a fragmented psyche. Interestingly, the other team members are depicted as individuals who have experienced failure in some capacity.

Each one of them experiences deep sorrow, embarrassment, and remorse. Yet, they harbor a determination to transcend their pain and build a more promising tomorrow. In doing so, the motif of darkness and emptiness is employed not merely to depict the antagonist of the movie, but also as a symbol for their internal struggles. However, it’s only when these individuals unite, forge a solid connection, and establish a supportive community that they can conquer this void, paving the way for healing and growth, as demonstrated throughout Thunderbolts.

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2025-05-01 23:52