Importance Score: 25 / 100 🔵
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has faced challenges since the Avengers: Endgame and the departure of Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man. Meanwhile, the actor is currently filming Avengers: Doomsday as the malevolent Doctor Doom in London, set for release next year.
The Upcoming MCU Films and Challenges
Awaiting MCU’s Renaissance
As fans eagerly anticipate a revival of the MCU’s former glory, we must first navigate through a couple of underwhelming spin-offs that cater more to hardcore enthusiasts than the general audience.
Following the dismal Captain America: Brave New World is Thunderbolts, featuring a roster of secondary superheroes that many viewers may struggle to recall or find engaging.
The Thunderbolts Team
The Thunderbolts mirrors the MCU’s interpretation of the Suicide Squad, an ensemble of anti-heroes seeking acceptance—a concept reminiscent of the Guardians of the Galaxy but lacking their appeal and originality.
The post-Endgame MCU saturation may have caused some viewers to overlook characters like Wyatt Russell’s John Walker, introduced in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Similarly, Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost from the unremarkable Ant-Man and the Wasp might have slipped under the radar for many.
Thunderbolts Cast and Plot
Leading the cast is Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, a consistently captivating presence on-screen. Florence Pugh and David Harbour deliver moments of notable dry humor as Russian mercenaries, standing out in an otherwise uninspired blockbuster that feels much longer than its two-hour runtime.
The Plot Breakdown
- Following Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ CIA director Valentina’s orders, the Thunderbolts are sent to a compound to fight in a deadly trap designed to conceal her misdeeds.
- The group realizes the truth after Ghost kills Black Widow’s Taskmaster. They encounter Lewis Pullman’s Bob, who is later revealed to be Sentry, one of the most potent superheroes, harboring a menacing, dark persona.
- This black side, dubbed “Voidish darkness,” possesses the power to transform individuals into shadows, leading to some of the most brutal MCU scenes to date based on apocalyptic-like killings.
Amidst the chaos, Thunderbolts delivers its strongest moments as Yelena struggling with depression and grief and Bob grappling with his inner darkness.
The Future of the Thunderbolts
The film’s conclusion uncovers the significance of the asterisk in Thunderbolts*. Valentina reveals to the world that this team will be the government’s new Avengers, taking over the old Avengers Tower. Although this new squad is not the genuine Avengers (Sam Wilson raises objections), they are expected to join forces in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, alongside the X-Men cast and the debuting Fantastic Four in the MCU’s Earth-616, as seen in an exhilarating post-credits scene.
In essence, Thunderbolts* is an unnecessary MCU outing focused on sidekicks that could have been better suited as a Disney+ miniseries. Nevertheless, the upcoming MCU lineup signals a return to more significant storylines.
Thunderbolts* is now playing in UK cinemas.