In a striking development, the team known as Thunderbolts is revealed to be the contemporary counterpart of The New Avengers, marking what appears to be the replacement for the iconic Iron Man character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The absence of Tony Stark since his demise in Avengers: Endgame has left a significant void, one that’s difficult to replace given Iron Man’s pivotal role in launching and shaping the MCU. His impact transcends his individual films, reaching characters like Spider-Man and even series such as Ironheart.
In contrast to other movies, Stark technology is absent in Thunderbolts, yet it retains a hint of Stark’s influence. The previous Stark Tower, later known as the Avengers Tower, is now called the Watchtower and is owned by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. This Watchtower houses the New Avengers team, setting up events for Avengers: Doomsday. In this sequel, Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but as Doctor Doom instead of Iron Man. He’ll interact with several Thunderbolts characters and may discover a similarity between Tony Stark and one of them – Yelena Belova.
The MCU Is Setting Up Yelena Belova As The New Iron Man
In essence, Yelena seems to be taking on a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that closely resembles Black Widow, specifically for the original Avengers team. Similar to her sister Natasha, she was educated in the Red Room, giving her an identical skillset, as evidently shown in both “Black Widow” and now “Thunderbolts.” While Yelena lacks Iron Man’s power, armor, or wealth (although she could potentially obtain Val’s fortune), her character development follows a similar trajectory within Marvel’s storytelling.
It’d be intriguing to imagine a confrontation between Yelena and Tony, given their complex personalities. They both struggle with authority, have a knack for independence, and need to learn teamwork. Yet, beneath their tough exteriors, they each possess a strong sense of heroism – a desire to do what’s right, a readiness to face danger, and even the willingness to potentially risk or sacrifice themselves – all in pursuit of the greater good and for the protection of those dear to them.
In addition, it’s worth noting that the finale of “Thunderbolts” establishes Yelena as the commander of the New Avengers. Despite Bucky being the longest-serving hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe on this team, he appears to be taking a mentor role. Yelena, however, is at the helm and will presumably make the decisions and lead the team into battle, mirroring Iron Man’s initial leadership position within the Avengers, where he was unquestionably the first leader of the team, which continues into “Avengers: Doomsday”.
Iron Man served as a key figure linking the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), featuring in his own trilogy, Avengers films, Captain America: Civil War, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Similarly, Yelena has been a part of numerous projects, making her one of the select few characters introduced post-Endgame to appear in three or more movies and TV shows (Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Thunderbolts*). In fact, she is a prominent character in at least two of them. There are also whispers that Yelena might collaborate with Spider-Man, potentially appearing in Brand New Day.
This likewise underscores Florence Pugh’s burgeoning career and exceptional talent, now positioning her as a leading and highly respected star within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Similar to Robert Downey Jr., she’s poised to become one of the recognizable faces of the franchise. The anticipation of an extended role for Yelena in Doomsday further suggests that her prominence will increase, making her a crucial character and potential leader within the MCU, thus establishing her as one of Iron Man’s successors.
The movie “Thunderbolts” is currently available for streaming on Disney+. Upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe films include “Spider-Man: New Day” scheduled for release on July 31st, 2026, followed by “Avengers: Doomsday” on December 18th, 2026, and concluding with “Avengers: Secret Wars” on December 17th, 2027.
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2025-08-31 16:11