Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Thunderbolts*Marvel's Thunderbolts* is full of some pretty impressive and exciting Easter eggs and references. Debuting a brand-new team of familiar MCU faces who eventually try and see if they have what it takes to be heroes, Thunderbolts* is an action-packed adventure that's also deeply character-driven. Along the way, there are some really fun connections to the original comics and the greater cinematic universe.
Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Lewis Pullman as Bob aka Sentry, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegrea de Fontaine, and Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel. Bringing all of these pre-existing MCU characters (and Bob) together, Thunderbolts* has plenty of ties to the MCU at large. Keeping that in mind, here are the top 50 biggest and most exciting Easter eggs and references we found in Thunderbolts*.
50 The Void Takes Over The Classic MCU Opening
A Dark Bit Of Foreshadowing
While Thunderbolts* opens as usual with the opening fanfare and Marvel Studios logo, the music gradually becomes distorted and all the color is overtaken by black shadows, foreshadowing the Void.
49 O.X.E. Group
Val's Mysterious Shadow Company
In the comics, the mysterious O.X.E. Group was a company technically founded by Valentina in the comics (specifically her Life Model Decoy).
48 Bucky Representing Brooklyn
The Winter Soldier Is Now A Congressman
First established in Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts* confirms Bucky is a congressional representative representing Brooklyn, where he and Steve Rogers grew up.
47 Rogue Nations With Advanced Tech
Nations Like Wakanda
During her impeachment proceedings, Valentina references her concerns over multiple rogue nations with advanced technology, nations like Wakanda and Talokan with their stores of vibranium (Val was last seen in 2022's Wakanda Forever).
46 The Red Hulk
The MCU's Most Recent President
Image via Marvel Studios
Val also mentions that their last president recently turned into "a giant red superhuman rage monster", referencing Brave New World's President Ross and his transformation into The Red Hulk.
45 "The Avengers Are Not Walking Through Those Doors"
In the MCU, It's Been Four Years Since Endgame
Valentina confirms it's been quite some time since the MCU has had its Avengers, and that they've yet to reassemble by the start of this new movie in the four years since the events of Avengers: Endgame.
44 Red Guardian's Glory Days
Serving The Soviet Union
When Yelena visits Alexei at his home, the Red Guardian is watching old footage from the Soviet Union where he's shown standing next to Stalin during a parade. Multiple Red Guardian propaganda posters can also be seen all over Alexei's home.
43 Project Sentry Costume Designs
A Nod To The Original Comics
Inside the O.X.E Group's vault, Yelena finds hair and various costume design ideas for the Sentry, and one of the "S" logos is exactly as its depicted in the original comics.
42 Honoring NYC Heroes
Val's Gala
Valentina holds a gala "Honoring NYC Heroes". Multiple artifacts from the Battle of New York are shown, including promotional banners featuring Captain America's shield, Iron Man's helmet, and more.
41 Loki's Scepter
A Classic MCU Relic
A notable piece on display at the gala is Loki's scepter. Once used by the God of Mischief during 2012's Avengers, the scepter was later revealed to house the Mind Stone as seen in Age of Ultron.
