Warning! This article contains major SPOILERS for Thunderbolts*Now Thunderbolts* has struck a chord with MCU fans, it makes sense that a swath will be clamoring for a sequel. The overall tone of Thunderbolts* felt decidedly unique among MCU installments, and positive reactions suggest that Marvel Studios should continue pursuing this brand of team-up.
Thunderbolts* at least proved that the titular team is compelling enough to carry a second movie. The team is now the foremost example of relatable characters in the MCU. Here's whether Marvel Studios intends to capitalize on this hype with a second solo movie.
Thunderbolts* 2 Has Not Been Confirmed
Thunderbolts* Needs Time To Settle
Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic
At the time of writing, Thunderbolts* 2 has not been confirmed, nor have any of the main figures behind the making of the movie revealed a sequel to be in the works. This tends to be the case for most modern MCU movies upon their release, with sequels instead being announced some time after the initial hype subsides. This differs for Avengers movies, which, in the case of MCU Phases 3 and 6, are expected to be paired up as the dual grand finale of that period.
Still, the widely positive response to Thunderbolts* could translate to a new franchise in a similar way to the Guardians of the Galaxy, a team that was largely unknown when it debuted in the MCU.
The announcement of a sequel will likely hinge on the characters in Thunderbolts* aren't as popular as Spider-Man. Still, the widely positive response to Thunderbolts* could translate to a new franchise in a similar way to the Guardians of the Galaxy, a team that was largely unknown when it debuted in the MCU.
Thunderbolts* 2 Cast: Who Could Return
Only One Of The Main Cast Won't Be Returning
Should the Thunderbolts (or the New Avengers) return in a future movie, it would likely comprise a similar set of faces. By the end of Thunderbolts*, only one of the characters on the billing met their (unceremonious) end - namely, Antonia Dreykov's Taskmaster. The rest of the team not only came out unscathed but arguably in better mental shape than when they embarked on their perilous journey together. With that in mind, the returning cast for Thunderbolts* 2 would likely include:
- Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes
- Lewis Pullman as Bob Reynolds
- Wyatt Russell as John Walker
- David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov
- Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
Which MCU Movies & Shows The Thunderbolts* Were Previously In (& Which You Should Watch)
Here are all the MCU movies the Thunderbolts* were previously in, and the most important ones that are worth watching ahead of the new team-up movie.
With Valentina being the Thunderbolts* secondary villain, her return is perhaps the most surprising. Nevertheless, with Yelena asserting in the final scene of Thunderbolts* that they "own" her now, it stands to reason that Louis-Dreyfus would reprise the role as the team's browbeaten figurehead, especially as the actress and her character are so popular. This all hinges, however, on whether the team survives their confirmed next appearance.
The Thunderbolts* Cast Will Return In Avengers: Doomsday
They Were Confirmed To Be Returning In Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday Live Stream
A surprise live stream from Marvel Studios in March confirmed that all of the Thunderbolts* main cast, barring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Olga Kurylenko, will be the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene seemed to directly set the movie up, as the Fantastic Four's spaceship was seen entering the MCU's main universe, Earth-616, presumably as they escape their own after the events of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This also all but confirms that the Thunderbolts* stars will be reprising their Earth-616 character roles rather than variants.
Many of the cast from the original X-Men movies were also confirmed to be returning in Avengers: Doomsday.
The specific role that the Thunderbolts/New Avengers will play in Avengers: Doomsday remains to be seen, though Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige recently confirmed that they'll be ing up with other super-teams to face off against Doom. Whatever the case, the ending of Thunderbolts* suggested friction between the New Avengers and the Avengers that Sam Wilson intends to form, setting up an interesting dynamic ahead of Avengers: Doomsday's release in 2026. Should they follow the trend set by Thunderbolts*, it's also possible that they will emerge unscathed despite being clear underdogs in the fight.
Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
- May 2, 2025
- Runtime
- 127 minutes
- Director
- Jake Schreier
- Writers
- Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo
- Producers
- Kevin Feige
Cast
Yelena Belova
Bucky Barnes
- Franchise(s)
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
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