In Wild Marvel Theory, the MCU is already bringing a Thunderbolts Replacement Team.
Tragic Marvel fan theory suggests that a fresh group of Anti-heroes could replace the MCU's inaugural Thunderbolts* team. Baron Helmut Zemo turned his Masters of Evil into the Thunderbolts in Marvel Comics to cover the hole left by the Avengers and get recognition from them. Marvel Comics' Thunderbolts squad saw several adjustments as Zemo's friends altered their attitudes and began behaving as real superheroes. Over the years, scores of heroes, anti-heroes, and villains have joined and departed the team; the team's objectives have changed, swinging between villainy and heroism.
The Thunderbolts* movie from Phase 5 shows a somewhat different version of the team. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine apparently developed the Thunderbolts, who appear to be black operations mercenaries trading their skills for atonement. Every Thunderbolt* team member has past committed major crimes, hence Val will probably utilize their guilt to keep them under her control. Val might have her own covert plans for the squad, hence the Thunderbolts' initial mission might not be the first of many.
Thunderbolts* Asterisk Theory Says First Team Doesn't Make It
The Thunderbolts of the Mcu are physically rather fragile. Great hand-to--hand fighters with individual unique skills and weapons are Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, John Walker, Alexei Shostakov, Ava Starr, and Antonia Dreykov. Still, none of the Thunderbolts exceed the force capability of Avengers like as Captain America or Spider-Man. Apart from their dubious past, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might have selected this Thunderbolts line-up since she sees them as disposable — they can get the job done and are terminated later without any public reaction.
Ideas on the asterisk in the Thunderbolts* title differ before of the 2025 release of the movie. Some of them see it as a clue regarding the ending of the film, whereby every team member dies. The Thunderbolts could simply be the first step towards the Dark Avengers, where every member is a malevolent parallel of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, since Val might still seek a team that can enable her acquire power and influence. But there's a similar situation with another team, and Marvel seems to be bringing the ideal characters for it exactly at the same moment the Thunderbolts' Mcu premiere.
Ross's Red Thunderbolts Are Taking Center Stage in the MCU
General Ross gathered a squad in the comics to eliminate the mutant Domino, whose knowledge of Ross' Red Hulk persona seriously tarnished his reputation. "Code Red," a malevolent team comprising Deadpool, the Punisher, Elektra, Crimson Dynamo, and Thundra, was thus established. Ross made the decision a few years later to gather a group of lethal assassins capable of helping him eradicate the targets he cannot remove on his own. Ross pulled Code Red back together and dubbed the team the "Thunderbolts," substituting Agent Venom for Crimson Dynamo and Thundra and finally Ghost Rider.
Three important members of Ross's Thunderbolts team are playing major roles in Phase 5 initiatives, much as Ross becomes Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World. Tim Blake Nelson is returning 17 years after The Incredible Hulk to show Samuel Sterns' metamorphosis into the Leader, who momentarily joins Ross's Thunderbolts before getting sent straight to hell by Mephisto. Ryan Reynolds's Deadpool is joining the MCU in Deadpool & Wolverine, Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle a.k.a. the Punisher is being included into the proper MCU in Daredevil: Born Again.
Where Ross's Red Thunderbolts Might Be Introduced
Only three other members of Thaddeus Ross's Thunderbolts squad remain to formally MCU premiere Red Hulk, the Puncher, Deadpool, and the Leader in the MCU Phase 5. Eddie Brock by Tom Hardy is getting his last film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe with Venom: The Last Dance. After Spider-Man: No Way Home's post-credits teaser, the symbiote might therefore keep on his own path in the MCU, paid off not just with Tom Holland's Spider-Man attaching to the symbiote but also with other, more malevolent people becoming the MCU's Venom.
Elektra is not confirmed to show up in Daredevil: Born Again, but a quick cameo or supporting part in Daredevil or the Punisher's upcoming MCU appearances would verify her existence in the MCU. Ryan Gosling's passion in the character could inspire Marvel to create a Ghost Rider project sooner rather than later even if Ghost Rider does not have any MCU project under development. The Thunderbolts' temporary comrade Mephisto has been reported to show up in Ironheart, but even if he doesn't, the wicked villain could show up alongside the Spirit of Vengeance in a Ghost Rider movie or series.
What A Thunderbolts* Sequel Might Cover?
Should suspicions of Thunderbolts*' sad conclusion be accurate and the initial iteration of the team is eliminated, President Ross could view Val's Thunderbolts project as the perfect chance to satisfy his lifetime need for power. After failing to replicate Bruce Banner's Gamma experiment on his own brand of super soldiers, after Emil Blonsky both defected and wasted his immense power, after failing to control superheroes through the Sokovia Accords, and maybe failing to control superheroes as President of the United States, a Hulked-out Thaddeus Ross could try to hunt down superheroes and vigilantes alongside other villains.
Ross could engage Val to serve as a kind of casting agent for his own villain team with just the correct balance of funds or influence. This time the powered-up Ross would focus on the most dangerous criminals and Anti-heroes eager to serve him. Depending on President Ross's arc in Captain America: Brave New World, a Thunderbolts* sequel might follow the new team as they covertly perform the dirty job for Ross or assist Ross in exacting retribution on the superheroes who destroyed his political career.
