Well, that was quick.
Following Thunderbolts flopping over the weekend at the box office, in what looks like a desperate move from Kevin Feige, Marvel is quick to change up the marketing and title of the film to New Avengers. You really think Marvel would spoil the film if it were a raging success?
The title change also brings up a similar situation with DC’s Harley Quinn Birds of Prey movie. Well, how did that work out?
What follows — I guess no spoiler warning is necessary, as after being in theaters for only four days, Marvel has spoiled things themselves, revealing that the Thunderbolts are the “New Avengers.”
However, I’ll talk about it down below after the new poster Marvel released proclaiming the New Avengers, just in case you haven’t seen Thunderbolts, yet. You can read my review here. Overall, I like the flick.
Update: Marvel also did a big reveal with the cast, and the title change is going wide as theaters are revealing updated posters, standees, billboards, and movie ticket sites like Fandango are using the New Avengers posters.
Presenting Marvel Studios' #̶T̶h̶u̶n̶d̶e̶r̶b̶o̶l̶t̶s̶* #TheNewAvengers.
— Marvel Studios* (@MarvelStudios) May 5, 2025
Now playing only in theaters. Get tickets: https://t.co/bFq0RNeRhc pic.twitter.com/ACemttyCx3
The billboard for ‘THUNDERBOLTS*’ has officially been changed to ‘THE NEW AVENGERS’ pic.twitter.com/0efdYrZNQN
— Marvel Updates (@marvel_updat3s) May 5, 2025
*The New Avengers cereal box display at the Universal City Walk AMC.
— *The New Avengers News (@tbolts_news) May 5, 2025
📸: @Culture3ase pic.twitter.com/14NWQj4WjK
Thunderbolts New Avengers spoilers
So “New Avengers” actually comes in at the end of the movie. The Thunderbolts have just defeated The Void. Now they’re after Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who set them all up, tried to kill them, and who is responsible for creating The Sentry and The Void.
However, Valentina is no dummy, and she has a plan of her own. As the Thunderbolts prepare to capture or kill her, she already has an out: a press conference.
In the aftermath of The Void battle on the streets of NYC, Valentina steps behind a curtain, the Thunderbolts follow, but Valentina surprises them as they step right into her publicity stunt announcing her new team of Avengers: the New Avengers. Yelena whispers in Valentina’s ear that they own her, and Yelena smiles for the first time in the movie. Then the credits hit.
We’re not done yet, as while credits role, Marvel is well aware – and just like Valentina – is ahead of the online backlash. Fake news articles are shown about how people don’t like the New Avengers. “They’re not my Avengers,” that type of stuff, etc.
We then get to the post-credit scene featuring the “New Avengers.” It was filmed just a few weeks ago by the Russo Brothers in the UK while prepping for Avengers: Doomsday.
The post-credit scene reveals that Anthony Mackie’s Captain America has a team of his own “New Avengers.” There’s also the joke Mackie’s Cap is suing for trademark infringement. Red Guardian makes jokes about how they can call themselves the “New AvengerZ” and has goofy-looking suits for all of them.
Yelena mentions something about there being a space problem. John Walker jokes/says they got lots of space (as Valentina now owns Avengers Tower, which is their new base of operation).
Yelena says outer space (duh). Then shown is a rocket ship in space, revealing the Fantastic Four logo on the ship, with the Fantastic Four music score playing.
New Avengers reaction
Much like a lot of the movie, when it was first revealed they had become the New Avengers, it came off as cringe. Then, when the credits started to roll, even more cringe. However, I felt the post-credit scene was pretty good as it joked and seemed to set them up as not being the New Avengers, or at least, a lesser and less deserving version.
I also have no idea if the New Avengers will be a part of Mackie’s Cap team. Who will be the characters? She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel? LOL.
In the comics, the New Avengers were actually pretty sweet. The roster included Luke Cage, Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Wolverine, and The Sentry. I think it’s safe to say the Thunderbolts are no New Avengers. Ditto for whoever makes up Mackie’s Cap team.
What’s next for the MCU?
As teased in the post-credit scene, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is next up in July. What remains to be seen is just who is in that rocket? Did Marvel just spoil the entire FF movie???
There’s also not much build-up of the “New Avengers” in the MCU, as following Fantastic Four is Avengers: Doomsday.
The New Avengers basically seem like something thrown in at the last minute, and now Marvel is using it to promote the movie when it has really nothing to do with Thunderbolts. Maybe Mackie’s team will fight against the Thunderbolts in Doomsday/Secret Wars?
