Wondering why 'Thunderbolts*' has an asterisk in its title? The ending explains it — and sets up a major MCU crossover

Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost, Lewis Pullman as Bob, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes in "Thunderbolts*."Chuck Zlotnick/Marvel StudiosThe asterisk in the title of Marvel's "Thunderbolts*" is explained at the end of the movie.As fans theorized, the symbol indicates that the moniker was only a placeholder name for the group.Here's what to know about the ending of "Thunderbolts*," which reveals the team's official name.Warning: spoilers ahead for "Thunderbolts*.""Thunderbolts*" has an asterisk in the title because it was never the official name for the group of misfits.The new Marvel movie, which was released on Friday, follows a team of antiheroes and assassins set up to kill each other.When production for "Thunderbolts*" was announced in March 2024, Marvel added an asterisk to its title. It wasn't a typo, and in the lead up to the release, Marvel used the mystery around the asterisk to lure in audiences. When asked about the asterisk at ComicCon last year, Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, said: "We won't talk more about that until after the movie comes out."Many fans theorized it showed Thunderbolts was a temporary name for the group — and they were right.Thunderbolts were renamed The New AvengersJulia Louis-Dreyfus plays Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in "Thunderbolts*".Marvel StudiosIn the movie, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the director of the CIA, is on a mission to find a replacement for the Avengers, who have been on hiatus since "Avengers: Endgame."But when the government discovers she has been experimenting on humans, Valentina tries to destroy the evidence and kill people who work for her.She sends Yelena (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), to kill each other in an abandoned facility. After Ghost kills Taskmaster, the others realize they have been set up and try to escape the facility with a civilian called Bob (Lewis Pullman),one of the people Valentina had experimented on.As they attempt to escape the facility designed to kill them the characters argue about who should lead the group, John Walker, a former Captain America, assumes leadership, citing his experience in the US Army.Yelena, a Russian super spy, tells him that's no more relevant than her once being part of a children's soccer team.Later, Walker jokes that they should name themselves the Thunderbolts after the soccer team, when the Red Guardian (David Harbour), Yelena's adoptive father, encourages them to become a superhero team. Red Guardian loves and adopts the name for the group, but everyone else rejects it.This differs to how Thunderbolts got its name in the comics. Marvel's website states that the character Baron Zemo, who leads the team in the comic but does not appear in the movie, came up with the name after being "inspired by his fond memories of Nazi Germany."The team — which at the end of the movie includes Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), and the Red Guardian — go to New York to stop Valentina and Bob, who has lost control of his powers.The team eventually manage to stop Bob and save New York.While arresting Valentina, she tricks them into appearing at a press conference where she introduces the triumphant team as the New Avengers.Again, this differs to what happens in the comics. The New Avengers formed in the comics after the original Avengers disbanded following an incident with the Scarlet Witch that killed Thor and destroyed Asgard and the Avengers' mansion.The New Avengers have a rival team in the comicsHannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost, Lewis Pullman as Bob, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, and Wyatt Russell as John Walker in "Thunderbolts*."Chuck Zlotnick/Marvel StudiosThe post-credit scene in "Thunderbolts*" takes place 14 months later after the events of the movie. The New Avengers, suited up in a new team uniform, argue about how to respond to Captain America (Anthony Mackie), who has formed his own Avengers team and is trying to make the New Avengers relinquish their name.This may be imitating the New Avengers story arc in the comics. In the comic crossover event "Civil War," the New Avengers split up and half side with Iron Man while the others support Captain America and become fugitives.Then, after the Skrulls invade Earth, Norman Osborn and a group of villains take over as the Dark Avengers, while the New Avengers continue saving the day without getting arrested.Eventually, Osborn's team is defeated, and the New Avengers become an official team again, alongside other Avengers teams.The post-credit scene suggests "Avengers: Doomsday" may be the first movie franchise featuring rival Avengers groups. Read the original article on Business Insider

Comments

Business News

I'm a financial expert - divorced women are missing out on millions thanks to 1 thing

Prince Harry said he wants 'reconciliation' with the royal family. Here's a timeline of his and Meghan Markle's tumultuous relationship with the royals.

about 6 hours ago

China claims an island in the South China Sea. Satellite images show Beijing's growing power-hungry struggle in the region.

about 8 hours ago

Amazon-backed creator startup Spotter lays off staffers. Read the memo from its CEO.

about 8 hours ago

Comments

Similar News

Ex-Kohl’s CEO posted LinkedIn video of lover 3 months before scandal broke: ‘No wonder you got exposed’

Beloved clothing shop closes after ‘three wonderful years’ as it launches major 80% off sale

‘It’s done wonders’: trading card game featuring middle-aged men revives Japanese town

A Campaign Emerges For An ‘Andor’-Sourced Wonder Woman

LED anti-ageing face mask that 'works wonders for acne and wrinkles' plummets in sale

My daughter and I run a business together. She's my boss and mentor, and it's wonderful working with her.

Ryobi's cordless power washer 'works wonders' in the garden has price drop in deal

Charlotte Tilbury's new 'one glide wonder' eye pencils are smudge-proof for 28 hours

Step aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, a cruise ship so big it has 8 'neighborhoods' spread across 18 decks

'Wonderful' digital memorial can help grieving loved ones through 'difficult time'

Business News

I'm a financial expert - divorced women are missing out on millions thanks to 1 thing

Dove Cameron Wants To Be Drawn Like ‘French Girls’ On New Single

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Saturday, May 3rd

Every UK supermarket opening time for this weekend's May bank holiday

IBS sufferers 'not rushing to the toilet' and feel 'less bloated' thanks to sachets

Subway drops below 20,000 US stores for the first time in 20 years as closures outpace growth

United Airlines axes dozens of daily flights at Newark Airport over delays, FAA walk-offs: ‘No other choice’

Britain’s biggest toy chain with over 160 UK stores to close town centre site for good TODAY

Today’s ‘Wordle’ #1414 Hints, Clues And Answer For Saturday, May 3rd

Maroon 5 And Lisa Team Up For ‘Priceless’ New Collab

Judge slaps down Trump's 'cringe-worthy' executive order targeting Perkins Coie

How major US stock indexes fared Friday, 5/2/2025

Musk's next task? Reviving Tesla in Europe where sales have plunged by more than half in a year

Steelmaker Cleveland Cliffs to idle 3 steel plants in Pennsylvania and Illinois

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to let DOGE access Social Security systems

Medical misdiagnosis cost NHS £376 million in claims including brain damage and cancer

What Time Is 2025 Kentucky Derby? How To Watch On Free TV And Streaming

How Tariffs Are Reshaping Retail Hiring Strategies

Newark Airport Is Experiencing Major Flight Delays. What’s Causing Them?

Meta partners with film studio Blumhouse on chatbot used during recent movie screening

Major pizza chain to temporarily SHUT 13 restaurants in UK after worrying review – is your local affected?

UK’s cheapest supermarket for 79 essentials revealed – it’s not Lidl, Asda, or Tesco

Hannah John-Kamen On Rematerializing As Ghost In ‘Thunderbolts*’

Cheapest supermarket for April 2025 named - and it's £48 less than most expensive

Why is the government bond market so powerful? This is Money Podcast

Prince Harry said he wants 'reconciliation' with the royal family. Here's a timeline of his and Meghan Markle's tumultuous relationship with the royals.

US scores Ukraine minerals for AI & EVs

Women face chaos trying to get a Real ID

Why it's so hard to find a public toilet

M&S supplier resorts to pen and paper after cyber attack

Self-driving trucks start making the rounds in Texas

Trump budget proposes to eliminate embattled Job Corps program

Trump budget includes cuts to FBI, DOJ

Six Flags America in Maryland to close at the end of 2025 season

A 'big scam'? The end of a shipping loophole on China goods and what it means for consumers

Ex-New Yorkers dish on why they moved to Florida for good: ‘People thought we were crazy’

Ex-Kohl’s CEO posted LinkedIn video of lover 3 months before scandal broke: ‘No wonder you got exposed’

NatWest’s profits jump by a third as bank’s return to privatisation could be weeks away

Full list of the DWP benefit errors that can lead to owing £1,000s – including ticking the wrong box

Well-Traveled Christian Elliss Grateful To Extend His Stay With Patriots

S&P 500 Notches Longest Winning Streak Since 2004 As Stocks Claw Back From ‘Liberation Day’ Crash

Iberian Blackout: Electrify Everything—and Have A Backup

MSNBC’s Ali Velshi On Trump’s Tariffs: ‘Make No Mistake, We All Feel It, Eventually’

What To Watch This Weekend: New Shows And Movies To Stream On Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV And More

The 7 Best New Movies On Netflix In May 2025

Trump Administration Plans Massive Military Parade On President’s 79th Birthday

Ryan Garcia Vs. Rally Romero Results Full Fight Card Results

Will Warren Buffett Address Trump’s Trade War? Mogul Set To Speak At Annual Berkshire Hathaway Meeting

Russia Is Making Explosive Drones Out Of Toy Hoverboards

Co-op 'very sorry' after hackers access members' data

RAY MASSEY: Vauxhall's new Mokka serves up a tasty treat

Fantastic Footsie in record-breaking run

City bankers sweat over trade turmoil

Shell boss: I'd snap up my shares before BP

Shipping broker Clarkson hit by ninth pay revolt

ALEX BRUMMER: Labour's paralysis on growth is galling

We shopped the new Gap x Dôen collab and only found one piece worth splurging on

Trump blamed Biden for a down market. 2 days later, stocks are soaring.

China claims an island in the South China Sea. Satellite images show Beijing's growing power-hungry struggle in the region.

Amazon-backed creator startup Spotter lays off staffers. Read the memo from its CEO.