Thunderbolts: Why is Marvel’s team now Called the New Avengers and what does it Mean for the MCU?
Marvel's latest film Thunderbolts, shocked fans with more than just explosive action—it also unveiled a major identity shift. Days after its theatrical debut, the film is being rebranded as The New Avengers, both on-screen and in real life. From updated billboards to an in-universe reveal, this bold move is changing the future of the MCU—and how we define Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. So why did Thunderbolts change its name? Who’s leading the team now? And what does it all mean for the Avengers franchise moving forward?
Did Thunderbolts Change its name?
Yes—and it’s not just a marketing stunt. After a solid $76 million domestic opening (via USA Today), Marvel began replacing all Thunderbolts promotional material with The New Avengers.
A viral video even showed the cast theatrically tearing off the old logo to reveal the new one underneath, reflecting the film’s final twist: in the closing scenes, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) renames the Thunderbolts team The New Avengers as part of a calculated PR move.
Director Jake Schreier confirmed the change was both narrative and symbolic, “It felt like, if Val is also trying to pull a switcheroo and sell the New Avengers to the world, we could do that, too,” he told The New York Times.
“Especially given that the asterisk has been on the movie for a year, hopefully it doesn’t feel sweaty — it feels like this was a plan and we built up to it,” Schreier added.
In-universe, the rebrand comes after the team saves New York from disaster—cementing their public image as legitimate heroes, even if their methods remain questionable.
Is Bob part of the New Avengers?
One of the breakout characters from Thunderbolts is Bob Reynolds, better known as Sentry, played with intensity by Lewis Pullman. Yes, Sentry is now a member of The New Avengers—though his volatile powers and unpredictable mental state make him a dangerous wildcard.
Interestingly, the film also introduces an alternate version of Bob, suggesting that his arc could echo the duality seen in comics, where Sentry battles his own dark side, The Void. This raises big questions about whether Bob can truly be trusted within the team, or whether he’ll be the cause of its downfall in Avengers: Doomsday.
Also missing from the new lineup is Taskmaster, who dies early in the film, and whose absence adds weight to Val’s decision to pivot to a fresh brand.
What Is the Runtime of Thunderbolts?
Thunderbolts (aka The New Avengers) runs for 2 hours and 6 minutes, making it one of the leaner ensemble films in the MCU’s recent lineup. The movie strikes a balance between character-driven moments—particularly with Yelena, Bucky, and Ghost—and fast-paced team action sequences, all while building momentum toward the multiversal stakes of Avengers: Doomsday.
What's next for the New Avengers?
The Thunderbolts post-credits scene reveals that the rebranded team has been operating for 14 months and now resides in the old Avengers facility. However, Sam Wilson’s Captain America, fresh off Brave New World, isn’t taking this lightly. His team is reportedly preparing to challenge Val’s group over the Avengers name—setting up what appears to be a legal and ideological battle.
This escalating conflict is expected to culminate in Avengers: Doomsday, setting up a possible civil war between two competing teams of Avengers. But they may need to set aside their feud sooner than expected. With the Fantastic Four arriving on July 25, 2025, and rumors of a multiversal collapse taking shape, the MCU could be facing a threat far greater than internal divisions.
T̶h̶u̶n̶d̶e̶r̶b̶o̶l̶t̶s̶* The New Avengers is now playing in theaters.
Also Read: Thunderbolts Easter Eggs: Major MCU and Marvel Comics References You Might’ve Missed
Related
Most Popular
Most Popular