‘Thunderbolts*’ Arrives in 2025, Here Are Top Theories on What to Expect from Its Plot

The MCU seems poised for a resurgence, largely due to the release Deadpool & Wolverine film and the exciting news that Robert Downey Jr. will return as Victor Von Doom in the next phase, making the iconic scientist the central villain of the MCU.

In addition to these highly anticipated projects, the MCU has several other releases on the horizon, generating varying levels of excitement. One such project is the Thunderbolts* film, slated for release on May 2, 2025, assuming no changes to the schedule.

Although details about the movie are still scarce, we’ve gathered the most intriguing and popular fan theories to help you get a sense of what might be in store. This report will delve into those theories and offer a glimpse into the potential direction of the upcoming film.

The Thunderbolts will be coming to the Avengers’ rescue.

Reddit user ghostrider8303 proposed a theory linking the Thunderbolts film to Captain America: Brave New World:

Post the capture of the New Avengers by the Leader, Bucky is out of options and despite Sam’s distrust of the US government agencies, he approaches John Walker/U.S. Agent for help. US Agent then reports on the same to Valentina Allegra de Fontaine or Val as we know her to sanction the Thunderbolts for the mission. Val and the US government (specifically President Ross) have the ulterior motive to capture the Leader so that the US can surge ahead in the ongoing Superhuman Arms Race by capturing the source itself.

The Thunderbolts are revealed through flashbacks to have carried out several missions on behalf of Val and the US government. Bucky now leads the assembled Thunderbolts to assault the Leader’s fortress or whatever the new base of operations is.

But we find that, the Leader, out of desperation of losing his source of the Super Soldier serum has put all of his last stock into a single subject, enhancing it to the maximum limit as a deterrent to the countries who he had dealt with coming after him as he could no longer offer them the serum. This subject, turns into the Sentry, the evil Superman villain being speculated about who has now gone rogue and is a threat to the leader as well due to his void persona.

In short, in this movie, the Thunderbolts’ mission would be to rescue Sam Wilson/Captain America’s New Avengers.

In the post credits scene, we see that the Leader is in the custody of President Ross who tells him that he aimed very low by trying to duplicate the powers of Captain America. He should have instead tried to duplicate the power of the Hulk; thus ending with a Red Hulk tease.

A revenge story?

Popular industry insider DanielRPK shared his theory about the Thunderbolts* movie, suggesting it could be a revenge flick:

Another movie in the style of Civil War?

An intriguing theory from Reddit user homodemiks proposes that the film might feature a battle between the Thunderbolts and the new Avengers, which is quite intriguing.

I said it. Fight me. It makes so much sense for Cap and the Avengers to piss off Ross in Captain America 4 and then have to fight him and his government team of super soldiers in The Thunderbolts. Idk it just feels like Thunderbolts is a movie lacking a whole lot of purpose if it’s just an MCU suicide squad movie.

This is coming off rumors that there’s going to be a civil war 2 before the kang dynasty, but this has been floating around in my head for a long time. Thunderbolts in this case would be that Civil War 2 because it’s heroes vs. heroes and the bad guy’s the government.

Will the Thunderbolts be drawing inspiration from The Suicide Squad?

This theory from Reddit user schoolbusgenocide is an older one, but it offers a completely different perspective:

So this is a theory with really no backing but it’s what I want to happen. I think that the team we’ve all seen (which has Yelena, Red Guardian. Bucky, Taskmaster, Ghost, US Agent and Valentina) will offer a bait and switch, like in The Suicide Squad. We could see an attempt on doing the intended job with these characters, but they fail miserably. I don’t think they’ll all die, just maybe Taskmaster or Valentina.

We then see the leaders of the Thunderbolts putting together a new team, and they could still include some of the first team like Ghost or Red Guardian. I think this is when we get some actual characters for the team and they’ll be who we are following for the rest of the movie. I think this team will comprise Abomination, Ghost, Red Guardian, possibly Red Hulk, US Agent and Baron Zemo as the leader. Again this is quite a bad theory but a fun one all the same

It’s uncertain which, if any, of these theories might align with the actual plot, but it will be fascinating to see which one turns out to be closest. What do you think of these theories? Do you have any of your own? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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