Thunderbolts Post-Credits Reveal Shocking MCU Future with New Avengers and Fantastic Four Arrival!

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Earlier this year, the Marvel Cinematic Universe seemed to be at its lowest point after the disappointing launch of Captain America: Brave New World in February. However, recent developments suggest that the widely acclaimed and impactful franchise might be making a comeback.

Back in March, there was a significant unveiling of the actors playing roles in the forthcoming Avengers: Doomsday, which sparked much enthusiasm among fans. Similarly, the trailers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps have garnered positive reactions thus far.

Today marks the global cinema release of the highly acclaimed film, Thunderbolts*. Critics have showered it with praise, calling it a triumphant comeback for Marvel Entertainment.

Besides standing alone as a poignant and introspective cinematic piece, this film holds significant importance for the overall trajectory of the franchise. It establishes several key elements that appear to have substantial influence on future developments.

If you’ve watched the movie and are curious about the significance of its final scenes, particularly the post-credits sequence, for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s future, keep reading as we break it down for you!

What happens at the end of Thunderbolts*? Full spoilers

Mostly, the movie revolves around the somewhat strained alliance that arises among the motley crew of anti-heroes, who band together after CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) pits them against one another, aiming for a potentially lethal encounter.

Initially, the tragic character, Olga Kurylenko’s Taskmaster, perishes swiftly. However, the remainder of the group subsequently unites more strongly, particularly once they cross paths with an uncommon ally named Bob, who is also known as The Sentry and The Void.

Later on, Bucky Barnes, played by Sebastian Stan, likewise becomes part of the group. Initially hesitant, he eventually collaborates with them upon discovering that Valentina aims to utilize Bob, who has been trained with superhuman abilities by her.

To put it another way, the significant clash towards the end of the movie unfolds when Bob gets trapped inside his alter ego known as The Void, leading to a chilling transformation where he changes those around him into ominous shadows.

I’ll approach this challenge differently from what we’re accustomed to in the Marvel Universe. Rather than relying on superpowers or weaponry, I’ll be delving into Bob’s mind, employing strategies that resonate with his thoughts and feelings.

In this scenario, Yelena (Florence Pugh) bravely pushes forward, battling moments of past trauma to locate Bob in the hidden dimension. Once overpowered by The Void momentarily, she shares a sincere conversation with him, emphasizing that he’s never alone, as she and the Thunderbolts are always there by his side.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at the profound impact those words seem to hold. For the moment, it feels like The Void has been vanquished – yet here’s Bob, back to his usual self, though he insists he’s lost all recollection of the events that just unfolded before our eyes.

Simultaneously, Valentina utilizes Yelena’s heroism and the Thunderbolts for her personal gain. She arranges a press conference to announce that she has intentionally created this new superhero team, which will now be recognized as the New Avengers. This move significantly increases her own public image and popularity.

What happens in the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene?

In reality, there are two additional scenes following the credits, but the initial one serves more as a humorous aside rather than contributing significantly to the storyline. It depicts Alexei Shostakov casually shopping in a supermarket, appreciating that some cereal boxes carry his likeness and that of his fellow Thunderbolts.

The second aspect carries significant importance for the future of the franchise. It involves the team reuniting at Avengers Headquarters 14 months on, where Bucky warns them that potential issues may arise. This is due to Sam Wilson, also known as Captain America (played by Anthony Mackie), planning to establish his own team of Avengers. Our new team could potentially be perceived as a challenge to him, with Sam even taking steps to trademark the name “Avengers.

However, an event of greater importance unfolds: they pick up a distress signal from space, revealing a colossal spacecraft bearing the number ‘4’ clearly.

Indeed, we’re talking about the upcoming appearance of The Fantastic Four team, who are set to make their big-screen comeback this coming summer…

How does Thunderbolts* set up the future of the MCU?

This movie serves as the conclusion to Marvel’s somewhat inconsistent Phase 5, paving the way for Phase 6. It’s clear that many foundational elements have already been established.

One point worth noting is that Valentina maintains an unsteady hold on her authority, even as she strives relentlessly to claim credit for the Thunderbolts’ heroic deeds. It appears that this aspect of the narrative will be significant in shaping future events.

In other words, it appears that Bob has managed to control The Void temporarily, yet it looks like more conflicts might lie ahead in his future.

It appears that what we might be facing is a situation where there will likely be three distinct superhero groups emerging: Sam Wilson’s Avengers, the Thunderbolts (also known as the New Avengers), and soon The Fantastic Four. The entry of the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe adds another layer to this team dynamic in due time.

It’s unlikely there would be any issues if the Fantastic Four and the New Avengers collaborate, but if Sam Wilson’s opposing Avengers group enters the picture, it might lead to complications. The outcome will be revealed in Phase 6…

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2025-05-01 19:06