Thunderbolts Hints Can Explain Why It"s MCU Phase 5"s Avengers Replacement
Thunderbolts is being set up as Phase 5’s Avengers replacement thanks to recent hints. The MCU had been subtly teasing the team’s arrival throughout the first part of Phase 4 with the introduction of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and her interest in both Yelena Belova and U.S. Agent. Yet, many were surprised when it was announced that the team is getting its own film, and even more so when the main cast was revealed at SDCC. Yelena and U.S. Agent will be joined by Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Taskmaster, and Ghost. That’s an interesting group to consider, especially since it doesn’t contain any of the classic members from the comics.
Rumors and theories about the film continuously develop as more of Phase 4 progressed, and they will continue to do so until Thunderbolts' release on July 26th, 2024. There’s a chance the team comic readers are familiar with – consisting of the likes of Baron Zemo, Moonstone, Songbird, Atlas, Fixer, Beetle, Jolt, and more – will still come into play, perhaps as the antagonists opposing the government-sanctioned team led by Valentina. Alternatively, theories suggest that Sentry, one of Marvel’s strongest characters, could end up as the villain. Whatever the case, Thunderbolts can be an exciting new kind of team-up film and be highly consequential to the larger MCU.