MCU’s Thunderbolts Movie Changes Origin Story, Leaves Out Iconic Villain

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At long last, the new superhero squad from the Marvel Cinematic Universe has stepped onto the scene. This group, known as the Thunderbolts, is an eclectic mix of reformed villains, antiheroes, and outsiders who found no place else within the MCU. The team includes Yelena Belova, Winter Soldier, Ghost, Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, and Taskmaster. Their first live-action appearance will take place on May 2 in theaters, serving as the concluding film for Phase 5.

In a fresh take for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the team’s genesis is reworked significantly, deviating sharply from their comic book roots. Instead of forming under specific circumstances as in the comics, this MCU version of the Thunderbolts comes together due to mutual betrayal by CIA Director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Unlike their comic book counterparts, who are presented quite differently, the MCU portrays the Thunderbolts as a motley crew of rebellious superheroes. The comics depict them as something else entirely, but the MCU has opted to omit an essential character from the team’s background story. Although the MCU had all the ingredients to adapt the original comic book origins of the Thunderbolts, they chose to exclude a crucial figure from their backstory.

Baron Zemo Started the Thunderbolts in the Comics

Zemo’s Thunderbolts Had Ulterior Motives for Their Heroic Actions

In a stark contrast, the comic book adaptation of the Thunderbolts team deviates significantly from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest superhero assembly. Instead, the Thunderbolts make their debut at a pivotal moment in the Marvel Universe, following the disappearance of many heroes during a battle with Onslaught. With most of the world’s protectors out of commission, villains seize the opportunity to wreak havoc. Amidst this chaos, the few remaining heroes labor tirelessly to safeguard the planet from these malevolent forces.

Mastermind Baron Helmut Zemo, heading the Masters of Evil, concocts a cunning scheme to exploit the Avengers’ absence. By persuading his fellow Masters of Evil to masquerade as a new superhero team, they adopt the name Thunderbolts. Their strategy involves rescuing civilians and vanquishing supervillains to win public trust and ultimately secure access to the highly confidential Avengers Files. This information would grant them unparalleled power.

Under the cloak of Citizen V, Zemo leads this team, concealing his distinctive facial scars. The other Masters of Evil assume new identities too; Goliath becomes Atlas, Beetle transforms into Mach-1, Fixer takes on Techno, Moonstone is now Meteorite, and Screaming Mimi rebrands as Songbird. With their grand entrance saving New York City from various perils in the absence of the Avengers, the Thunderbolts quickly garnered global attention. Following their rescue of Franklin Richards from the Mad Thinker’s plot, they were granted Four Freedoms Plaza, once home to the Fantastic Four, as their new operational hub. From there, they carry on with their intricate plan, although many Thunderbolts are taken aback by their growing inclination towards heroism.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe Fumbled Zemo’s Storyline

The MCU Could Have Done So Much More With Baron Zemo

As a devoted Marvel movie enthusiast, I found Daniel Brühl’s portrayal of Baron Zemo in “Captain America: Civil War” an exhilarating debut. He masterfully orchestrated the Avengers’ internal strife, demonstrating that he doesn’t need brute force to outwit his adversaries and solidifying himself as one of the MCU’s most formidable villains.

In “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” Zemo reluctantly allies with Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes to combat the Flag-Smashers. Despite being incarcerated in the Raft, he continues his mission of eliminating super-soldiers by using his outside network. However, it seems that the MCU is not eager to delve deeper into Zemo’s narrative, as evident by omitting him from the initial Thunderbolts roster.

As a die-hard Marvel fan, it seems like the cunning Zemo has vanished from the scene, implying he’s still incarcerated in the Raft, patiently waiting for his moment to strike again. This opening sets up an intriguing possibility – Zemo could be drafted into the Thunderbolts, though perhaps not as the team’s founder as originally planned. Yet, it appears that the MCU has overlooked this potential gem of a character, with no clear indication when or if Zemo will reappear on our screens for another four years. His absence is conspicuous in films like “Captain America: Brave New World,” which features many of his adversaries and even pays a visit to the Raft, and it seems he’s also missing from “Thunderbolts.” With Phase 6 heading towards “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” it seems doubtful that Zemo will make an appearance until after the Multiverse Saga has concluded, if at all. This oversight by the MCU is a missed opportunity to further develop Zemo’s storyline, potentially creating one of their most formidable villains yet.

Will Zemo Ever Join the MCU’s Thunderbolts?

The MCU’s Thunderbolts Are More Heroic Than Their Comic Book Counterpart

Should “Thunderbolts” prove victorious, it appears Marvel Studios is committed to expanding this group into a crucial element within the MCU in the future. Given the overwhelmingly positive feedback on the upcoming film, fans might expect more appearances from this fresh superhero squad even after the conclusion of the Multiverse Arc. Thus, there’s a small chance that Baron Zemo could potentially collaborate with the team again in future encounters. The unconventional alliance of superhumans and spies could benefit greatly from having a cunning mastermind who consistently stays one step ahead. At the same time, none of the Thunderbolts can entirely trust Zemo, as they are aware that he will betray them at the earliest opportunity. This would create an additional dimension of suspense within the Thunderbolts team, as they ponder whether they can truly rely on all their companions.

In contrast to earlier interpretations, the Marvel Cinematic Universe appears to be developing the Thunderbolts as a more heroic group, mirroring the comic book version. Since the MCU is distancing itself from the Thunderbolts’ villainous origins, it seems unlikely that Zemo will be part of this team. The Thunderbolts are expected to work alongside the Avengers during the events of Doomsday, suggesting they will be recognized as allies of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Given the Avengers’ strict stance against associating with figures like Zemo, it’s highly improbable that audiences will see him joining this team.

Thunderbolts* hits theaters on May 2.

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2025-04-29 23:52