The inaugural teaser for Thunderbolts spans an impressive three and a half minutes, offering a treasure trove of revelations and intricate details to dissect. Announced by Marvel during the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, anticipation surrounding the film’s positioning within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and its ensemble cast has been fervent. Despite its apparent connections to other comic book superteams, Thunderbolts is poised to chart a distinctive course in its narrative.
The inclusion of an asterisk in the title signifies the film’s intention to carve out its own identity, a notion further substantiated by the trailer’s breathtaking moments that kindle excitement for what’s on the horizon. Even with over eight months until the film’s premiere, the teaser has effectively stoked fervor among fans. It addresses long-standing questions within the MCU while also introducing novel characters, thereby presenting a rich tapestry of elements to explore.
The iconic Stark Tower, once adorned with its owner’s name and serving as the Avengers’ headquarters, was only utilized in that capacity briefly. Following the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Stark and his allies relocated to a more discreet facility. In Spider-Man: Homecoming, it was revealed that Stark had sold the tower to enigmatic new owners.
The identity of these new proprietors has remained elusive, but given the building’s stature and prime locale, its return to the MCU was inevitable. Although the tower has been referenced and even glimpsed during renovations in Spider-Man: Far From Home, its ownership remained shrouded in mystery. The Thunderbolts trailer, however, unveils that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has taken residence in the tower, suggesting her significant role in the film and hinting at potential collaborators in this acquisition.
The trailer showcases several interactions among the core cast, but moments featuring encounters with new characters are scarce. Nonetheless, there is a pivotal scene where Yelena, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker are embroiled in a fierce altercation, only for a figure in ill-fitting attire to introduce himself as Bob. For those unfamiliar with the comics, this may seem inconsequential, yet it marks the debut of Robert “Bob” Reynolds in the MCU.
Lewis Pullman brings this character to life, and while his initial appearance may render him somewhat nondescript, he harbors a remarkable secret. In the comics, Bob is the alter ego of the superhero Sentry, one of the most formidable figures in Marvel, akin to DC’s Superman. However, Sentry grapples with a profound disadvantage known as the Void—an entity that acts as a counterbalance, wielding similar powers to unleash chaos and destruction.
Further confirmation of Lewis Pullman’s Bob as Sentry comes later in the trailer, where a prominent symbol appears on what resembles a belt buckle. This emblem, though appearing somewhat generic with its two half-circles and a central line, unmistakably hints at Sentry’s involvement in Thunderbolts. When rotated, the symbol bears a resemblance to the letter “S,” supported by the tapered ends of the half-circles that evoke the appearance of a capitalized letter. This logo shares visual similarities with Sentry’s emblem in the comics, although it is typically depicted on a grander scale. It remains conceivable that the film might showcase a more comic-accurate version of this iconic symbol.
Thunderbolts unveils a cadre of anti-heroes, each marked by a shadowy past. The team comprises individuals convicted of crimes or actions they regret—either executed under duress or in the struggle for survival. Yet, despite their troubled histories, they appear to forge a bond of collaboration and support, particularly evident in scenes depicting their approach toward Valentina at the former Avengers Tower.
Nevertheless, uniting a group of volatile anti-heroes is bound to lead to friction. The trailer includes a striking moment where Bucky pursues his teammates, firing at their vehicle and launching a lethal weapon that sends it tumbling. This sequence likely foreshadows the internal conflicts and character development central to the narrative, raising the possibility that someone has unlocked the memories and programming that turned Bucky into the Winter Soldier.
The film commences with an emotionally charged reunion between Yelena and her estranged adoptive father, Alexi. Black Widow revealed the family’s history as Russian spies and the facade of parenthood that Yelena endured. Unaware of the truth in her youth, the revelation was harrowing. Compounding her trauma was her subsequent abandonment in the Red Room, where she was molded into a deadly assassin.
It would be natural for Yelena to shun any connection to her faux family; however, the trailer’s opening reveals a poignant meeting between her and Alexi after years apart. Alexi, visibly down on his luck with “Past Due” notices adorning his refrigerator, strives to maintain a facade of resilience for Yelena, concealing his struggles. The dynamics between this pair are intriguing and promise deeper exploration in Thunderbolts.