Thunderbolts*
On July 24 , 2024,Marvel’sThunderboltswill make their launching in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to crest off the MCU Phase 5 ticket , and it ’s been uncover which characters will organise part of Marvel ’s next new team - up . The first official face at the confirmedThunderboltscast was given at D23 Expo in 2022 , include graphic symbol from various MCU movies and show such as Sebastian Stan ’s Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier and Florence Pugh ’s Yelena Belova . In the comics , Marvel ’s Thunderbolts squad were created as part of Baron Zemo ’s master plan for global supremacy . When several major members of the Avengers died in the 1996Onslaughtevent , Baron Zemo united membersof the Masters of Evil to do the unexpected : protect the worldly concern . The famous criminals took on new costume and personas to gain the public ’s trust . However , some members began to genuinely enjoy their new grand lives , which led to a divide between the team ’s honest villains and reformed former sorry guys . After the accuracy was revealed about their duplicitous origins and the initial roll partner way , the Thunderbolts return with multiple different configurations . With the first - ever live - action card debut in 2024 , here ’s every confirmed phallus of the MCUThunderboltsteam ( and a few that are still extremely probable ) .
Throughout the comic strip , Marvel ’s Thunderbolts rosteressentially became the antihero version of the Avengers — the very roots of iconic squad - ups like the Dark Avengers or the Dark Illuminati . Most of Marvel ’s biggest villains – and several of its biggest heroes – have been affiliated with the Thunderbolts at one point or another . While multiple fictional character who have been associated with the confirmedMarvel’sThunderboltsmovie have already been insert , there are several members of the original Thunderbolts who have yet to debut in the MCU . Whether they ’re all part of the initial squad or cycle through as the roster changes , these are the villain and antihero confirmed asThunderboltsMCU team members , as well as those who might be await announcement .
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Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
Although she ’s not as established as Thunderbolt Ross , Valentina Allegra de Fontaine ( Seinfeld ’s Julia Louise - Dreyfus)has been present throughout MCU Phase 4 . Val appear inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierto recruit John Walker and put him on the path to becoming U.S. Agent , and also confronted Yelena Belova at Natasha ’s tomb at the death ofBlack Widow . InHawkeye , it was revealed that Val claimed to Yelena that Clint Barton was creditworthy for Natasha ’s death , and that it was Val who sent Yelena to kill Clint . afterwards , Marvel confirm at D23 Expo that Val would be joining the Thunderbolts , confirming sports fan speculation that she could head the team .
While it ’ll be interesting to see how Val will still work with Yelena - another confirmed Thunderbolts fellow member - after Yelena found out Val gave her false entropy about Clint and Natasha , Val may have bigger problems . Val ’s MCU arc suggest she ’s not one of the characterswho could be a Skrull inSecret Invasion - but the Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine was actually a Skrull in the cartoon strip , and the Skrulls could sure as shooting use the Thunderbolts drawing card on their side in the MCU . For now , however , it ’s still unclear who Val is even work for , but she has extended cognition of the U.S. Government ’s intimate workings and the purchase to manipulate media narratives .
Black Widow (Yelena Belova)
MCU Phase 4 ’s first movie introduced Black Widow ’s babe , Yelena Belova ( Florence Pugh ) . Although not a villain , Yelena ’s past tense as a Russian undercover agent and graduate of the Red Room devote her a virtuously gray perspective . As revealed by Florence Pugh at D23 Expo , Yelena will be leading the Thunderbolts team , which think she could be border heads with Val . In the comics , Yelena was part of the Thunderbolts , although it was when Natasha had taken her identity element and used it to infiltrate the team run by Norman Osborn . However , Yelena ’s MCU future afterHawkeyecould also see her take on the Black Widow name and become more of a reliable sub or else .
Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes)
Since his funny counterpart has led the squad multiple times , it was assure to discover out that Sebastian Stan will be reprise his role as Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier forThunderbolts . Falcon and the Winter Soldierwas always going to cease with one of the two leads inherit Steve Rogers ' shield and rubric , as both are former Captain Americas in the strip . The existent inquiry was what lay in entrepot for whoever did n’t assume the cape of the next MCU Cap . While Sam Wilson is the new Captain America for the MCU and will be appearing as such inCaptain America : New World Order , Bucky will be insert an interesting new phase in theWinter Soldier ’s account and timeline , as it ’s been confirmed that Bucky will be part of the MCU ’s Thunderbolts . Arguably the most perfect addition to the squad , Bucky ’s status as a former mass liquidator and his genuine attempts at reforming himself means he can be a moral middle footing between the team ' rough - but - righteous antiheroes and villain who really should be in prison .
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Ghost (Ava Starr)
The MCU introduced one Thunderbolts member inAnt - Man and the Wasp – Ava Starr , a.k.a . Ghost ( Hannah John - Kamen ) . She was set up as the scoundrel but finally essay to be more of a misunderstood antihero . specter has been part of multiple thunderbolt teams in the comedian , so it was n’t at all surprising that Marvel Studios chose to stick to the reference material for her MCU looping . John - Kamen had already evince interest in being part of a potential lineup long before the announcement , and many sports fan backed her comprehension . AsGhost is SHIELD ’s Winter Soldier , she was an fabulously challenging quality who felt far too deep to be used as a one - off MCU baddie . Indeed , Ant - Man and the Waspalready established the fact that Ghost work on for SHIELD on covert missions , and it ’s clear how her skill will come in ready to hand inThunderbolts .
Taskmaster (Antonia Dreykov)
Taskmaster was introduced to the MCU thanks toBlack Widow , and Antonia Dreykov , the woman under the masquerade party , will be part of the Thunderbolts . A skilled soldier of fortune , Taskmaster has classical ties to the Red Room in the MCU , but there is also laughable antecedency for the character reference link the squad . Although he did n’t dumbfound around for long , Tony Masters ( the comical book secret identity operator of Taskmaster ) did help train new recruits to the Thunderbolts Initiative be given by Norman Osborn . With the ability to perfectly replicate any fighting expressive style or move , Taskmaster ’s power in the MCUwill be on full showing inThunderbolts .
U.S. Agent (John Walker)
John Walker initially arrived in the MCU as the government ’s Captain America replacement inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier . Walker proved himself to be less than heroic , however , and was more of an antagonist to Sam and Bucky than anything else . By the serial end , Walker is other - than - honourably discharged from the armed services , self - injected with super - soldier serum , in spades unstable , and come near by Val about wear a newfangled mantle : U.S. Agent . This shady passing - on made him an splendid campaigner for the Thunderbolts team , and he was one of the first fans pointed out as a likely cellular inclusion .
Sure enough , as forebode , the vista between Val and John Walker inFalcon and the Winter Soldierwas directly gear up upThunderboltsand U.S. Agent ’s inclusion as a member . As a veteran of more recent global conflicts , U.S. Agent / John Walker ’s war historywill be a crucial addition to the Thunderbolts team ’s antihero narration . Interestingly in the comics , U.S. Agent was never really part of the Thunderbolts and actually fought against them occasionally . Many viewers are also rummy how Bucky and John will get along on the same squad in the MCU consecrate their confrontational chronicle .
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Red Guardian (Alexei Shostakov)
know facetiously online in some corner as Captain Russia , MCU super soldier Red Guardian , a.k.a . Alexei Shostakov , is the finalBlack Widowaddition to theThunderboltslineup . The first super soldier created by the Soviet Union , Red Guardian has a Captain - America - similar power set , and the two share their respective nationalism and comparatively wholesome interpersonal traits too ( even though theMCU ’s Red Guardian , who Steve never even knew be , considers them rivals ) . Indeed , Red Guardian has many historic ties to The Red Room and S.H.I.E.L.D operations , so is no stranger to the world of superpowered espionage in whichThunderboltstakes plaza .
This make Red Guardian a premier accession to fill out the roster , and the fact he ’s slightly sometime than the other member ( Bucky ’s bewildered years aside ) intend that Red Guardian will likely bring a utile degree of wisdom and experience in the field . However , while Alexei ’s forcible art and fighting experience make him formidable , he has a unique power bent that may be unmatched by any other confirmed Thunderbolts team phallus : the uncanny ability to inject almost any situation with wholesome funny relief . This is bind to occur in ready to hand in a team that ’s composed only of extremely dangerous individuals .
Unconfirmed MCU Thunderbolts Members Who Could Still Be Added
While Kevin Feige sustain the initialThunderboltslineup at D23 Expo , that does n’t entail more member ca n’t be added . There are several suspectedThunderboltsmembers in the MCU who were n’t include in the official D23 Expo promulgation . However , in almost all cases , this might be because revealing them would spoil the plot of on-going show . For various reason , both relating to the MCU and being part of comic - rule book Thunderbolts lineups , the following characters might be late inclusions to the MCUThunderboltsteam :
Baron Zemo
When it was announced Marvel was take form an MCU Thunderbolts , Baron Zemo ( Daniel Brühl ) was thought to inevitably play a key role in it . Zemo founded the Thunderbolts in the strip and is routinely involved with different configurations of the squad . One such rendering saw him lead the Thunderbolts as a grouping task with hunting down varlet heroes and villains duringCivil War . There ’s no doubt thatBaron Zemo ’s MCU returnis inevitable , and that it will necessitate the Thunderbolts , specially considering the grapheme ’s account . Zemo has been part of the MCU sinceCaptain America : Civil Warand testify his brilliance by manipulate the Avengers , specifically Captain America and Iron Man , to have them to break up . The Falcon and The Winter Soldiersaw him temporarily team up with Sam Wilson ( Anthony Mackie ) and Bucky Barnes ( Sebastian Stan ) , and Zemo ’s yield is probable to pick up where this series leave off . Since the show stop with John Walker having remove the super - soldier serum , this will make him a target for Zemo move onward .
Related : Baron Zemo ’s Powers And Abilities explicate
However , Zemo has n’t yet been announce as an official part of theThunderboltslineup . There are many rumors pass around that mite at his affair , including a faux pas involving Marvel.com ’s write - up mentioning his name in the inter-group communication ( before this was altered ) . Indeed , it ’s still potential thatBlack Panther : Wakanda Foreverwill set upThunderboltswith a cameo featuring Zemo , who was last seen being taken by the Dora Milaje to the Raft . It ’s clear that Brühl ’s getting even is being maintain smooth so as not to spoil the respective plots of projects releasing in the meantime .
General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross/Red Hulk
With the inauspicious loss of William Hurt and the confirmed MCU introduction of Harrison Ford as the recast General Ross , it was for certain a huge year for the case . As General Ross , Hurt was part of the MCU fromThe Incredible Hulk- the second MCU movie - until the Civil War story electric arc , in which he played a vital office in the geological formation of the MCU ’s Sokovia Accords . Curiously , Ford ’s General Ross is sustain to be part ofCaptain America : New World Order- and only reportedly inThunderboltsat time of committal to writing - though it ’s very likely that this is just to keep off any spoilers regardingHarrison Ford / General Ross / Red Hulk ’s MCU future . While it take in sense that Marvel replaced the legendary William Hurt with another onscreen veteran , Harrison Ford is on an entirely unlike level as a cinematic icon . As both Han Solo and Indiana Jones , Ford ’s megastar position ca n’t be overdraw . It ’s almost inconceivable that his role in the MCU will be limited toCaptain America : New World Order , peculiarly think his part ’s story .
General Thaddeus " Thunderbolt " Ross ( as Red Hulk ) plant a translation of the Thunderbolts in Marvel Comics that featured Punisher , Deadpool , Elektra , Agent Venom . Prior to William Hurt ’s death , it was expected that Ross would be the one to put the team together in the MCU . On one hired hand , as the MCU has introduce an in effect transposition drawing card in the Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine , aThunderboltsmovie with no Thaddeus Rosscould still knead . On the other hand , with Harrison Ford being cast in the role , General Ross is attach to have a bigger role within and beyond MCU Phase 5 .
The Abomination
After a long absence in the MCU , Emil Blonsky a.k.a . Abomination ( Tim Roth ) come back inShe - Hulk , fueling rumour that he is one of the missing antihero from the confirmedThunderboltsroster . This would be a departure from the comedian , as Abomination has never been an actual fellow member of the Thunderbolts , but that ’s never stopped Marvel Studios before . In fact , whileShe - Hulkrevealed that Abomination systematically violated the terms of his parole and was even making money as a speaker unit for Intelligencia while transformed . Blonsky was also mutually aiding the Sorcerer Supreme Wong in the upkeep of Kamar Taj , and had genuine intentions of reforming his fellow former villain . This make him another perfect addition to the roster , andAbomination not being inThunderboltsyet is likely another case of Marvel sample to deflect spoiling surprise for viewers .
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Alongside General Ross , Abomination ’s first MCU appearance came inThe Incredible Hulk , and after the fourth dimension leap fromAvengers : Endgame , it had been over 15 years since Abomination was find out in - universe - until his cameo cage fight inShang - Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings . Blonsky made a full appearance again in the Disney+ seriesShe - heavyweight : Attorney At Law . Now allegedly reformed , Blonsky wants nothing more than a barb at a peaceful life . He also made an interesting point that , from his perspective , he was the hero sent in by the U. S. Army to contain the monstrous Hulk , calling into question whether his designation as a villain is even warranted ( or indeed fair ) . WithEmil Blonsky in full dominance of Abomination , his toughness and unique perspective would be indispensable in Marvel ’s biggest antihero team - up .
These contemporary MCU appearances make Abomination ’s odds of sticking around in the MCU seem pretty robust . Tim Roth is by no means an unknown name , and his performance inShe - Hulkhas already been ascertain as a highlight . give his character so many layers definitely raises questions about Marvel ’s plan too . execration is a straight - up brute scoundrel known for bemuse fantastically hard slug and picayune else , so fleshing out his type and making him sympathetic is suspicious if there are no further plan for him . Plus , since the World Security Council in the beginning wanted torecruit Abomination into the Avengers , it would n’t be surprising to see him recruited to theThunderboltsby whoever is in billing , specially since Blonsky manage another illegal jailbreak thanks to Wong at the death ofShe - Hulk .
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