- Thunderbolts* arrives in cinemas in May
- Movie introduces a new team to the MCU
- A tweet of a poster might have explained why there is an asterisk
Thunderbolts* is an eagerly-anticipated MCU film, but many have asked why there is an asterisk in the title – and now it seems we have an answer.
Ever since Thunderbolts* was announced by Marvel, there has been speculation about what that asterisk meant. Marvel, as usual, has kept quiet about what it means.
And, as whenever there is a void of information, the internet steps in to fill it. There have been some popular theories posited by various people online and on social media since then, including that the asterisk hints that the name might just be a placeholder and that the team might actually become The New Avengers – which could be in line with the comics – or even the Dark Avengers.
Thunderbolts* mystery solved
But now a tweet (are they still called tweets on X these days?) from Marvel Studios Japan may have solved the mystery. The post shows an international Thunderbolts* poster, which has, in small lettering at the bottom: “* The Avengers are not available”.
This makes sense given a line in the Thunderbolts* trailer, which was released during the Super Bowl. In it, CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) says to a meeting: “Let’s talk facts, the Avengers are not coming. Who will keep the American people safe?”
Assumedly, it will be the Thunderbolts* that will step into the void left by the absence of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Thunderbolts* is a team comprising various heroes and anti-heroes – many of whom have already appeared in the MCU over recent years, often in cameo roles – who are brought together to complete missions on behalf of the US government. But other than that, and the trailer, Marvel has given away very little about this movie. You can read everything we know about Thunderbolts* to find out more and see the trailer.
More questions
But, as usual, one answer poses more questions. Thunderbolts* follows on from Captain America: Brave New World, which debuts in theaters on February 14. In the trailer for that, President Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross says to Sam Wilson/Captain America that he wants him to reform the Avengers. So how does this go?
This question will presumably by answered when Captain America: Brave New World drops in theaters. But it will probably pose more for Thunderbolts* to answer – or people on the internet to.
