Understanding the Asterisk in Marvel’s Thunderbolts Explained

The official trailer for Marvel’s Thunderbolts has dropped, showcasing a team of misfits reminiscent of “Suicide Squad.”Yet, the most intriguing aspect of the trailer isn’t the storyline but the final shot that fades into the film’s title displaying “Thunderbolts*” . While it might seem like a stylistic choice, considering the level of secrecy maintained by Kevin Feige regarding this project, there appears to be a more significant reason behind the asterisk. In this article, we’ll explore the potential implications of the asterisk in Marvel’s Thunderbolts.

The Asterisk Could Suggest That “Thunderbolts*” Is a Working Title

The trailer introduces an intriguing tagline: “Careful Who You Assemble,” cleverly riffing off the iconic “Avengers Assemble.” The asterisk in Thunderbolts could imply that the title is provisional and that further details may emerge. This isn’t just speculation; I have a theory backing it up.

The theory suggests that the Thunderbolts could take the place of Marvel’s Avengers in the MCU’s Phase 5, paralleling events from the comics. The original Thunderbolts debuted in the 1996 Onslaught storyline, where The Avengers, The Fantastic Four, and The X-Men were defeated while combating Onslaught. This left a void in superhero oversight, during which a group of former Avengers villains assumed the role of heroes, calling themselves the Thunderbolts.

In a subsequent storyline, the Thunderbolts were developed under the direction of Norman Osborn, formerly known as the Green Goblin. After thwarting the Skrull invasion during the Secret Invasion arc, he was appointed the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., later rebranding it as H.A.M.M.E.R. With all major superhero teams absent, he formed a new team known as the Thunderbolts, comprised of former villains who became known as the Dark Avengers. This iteration included Norman Osborn in his Iron Patriot Suit, Venom masquerading as Spider-Man, Daken (Wolverine’s son) as Wolverine, and Bullseye stepping into Hawkeye’s role.

“Dark Avengers” Might Take the Place of the Asterisk in Thunderbolts Title

In relation to the forthcoming film, it’s plausible that Valentina is orchestrating a similar plan to what Norman Osborn executed in the comics. Previously, we observed her interactions with The US Agent in Falcon and Winter Soldier and later with Yelena in Hawkeye. It seems she aims to transform these villains and outcasts into a new version of the Avengers.

There’s a chance that the asterisk in the title of Thunderbolts will ultimately be substituted with “Dark Avengers” by the conclusion of the film. However, this remains speculative, and we’ll need to await the movie’s release or further updates for clarity on the direction it will take.

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