- By Aarushi Raina
- Mon, 05 May 2025 08:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Thunderbolts* starring Lewis Pullman and Florence Pugh, hit theatres a few days ago and has been receiving rave reviews. Ever since its announcement, fans have been wondering about the meaning of the asterisk in the title of the new Marvel Studios movie. Now, the makers have revealed its significance by rebranding the title in the film's promos with their marketing strategies.
Thunderbolts*asterisk meaning revealed
As Thunderbolts* is screening in theatres, Marvel Studios has started building anticipation by unveiling the film's actual title. In the viral posts, the image shows Thunderbolts* billboard to the film's real title, The New Avengers. Across several cities, the title of Thunderbolts* was being covered in posters. To clear the asterisk mystery, the title now reads The New Avengers. It's a big spoiler for the MCU fans but it also confirms that the Thunderbolts gang are the new Avengers and face of the MCU's future film. This connects the dots with the Thunderbolts* end-credits scene. In a grocery store, Alexei Shostakov, aka Red Guardian, awkwardly attempts to charm a customer standing near The New Avengers Wheaties cereal display, but his efforts go unnoticed. The movie hinted at the connection with Avengers Doomsday, which will see the return of many iconic characters.
The billboard for ‘THUNDERBOLTS*’ has officially been changed to ‘THE NEW AVENGERS’ pic.twitter.com/0efdYrZNQN
— Marvel Updates (@marvel_updat3s) May 5, 2025
Thunderbolts* Post-Credits Scene Explained
The Thunderbolts have transformed into the New Avengers, a team poised to become Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Led by a diverse roster, including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Sentry (Lewis Pullman), this new lineup brings together complex characters with checkered pasts. Notably, Sentry appears to be carefully managing his powers to prevent the emergence of his darker alter ego, Void, as per Variety.
The Thunderbolts ultimately put aside their differences to join forces and defeat the Void, saving New York from descending into darkness. In a surprising twist, their handler, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), who had initially sent them on a deadly mission, takes credit for assembling the team and publicly rebrands them as the New Avengers. In the post-credits scene-The New Avengers and Captain America's team are on a collision course, with a potential battle over the Avengers name and logo. Another hint at Thunderbolts end scene is the Fantastic Four‘s spaceship entering Earth’s orbit from another dimension as their theme music plays in the background.
About Avengers Doomsday
Directed by the Russo Brother, the movie is slated for a theatrical release on May 1, 2026. Makers have officially started shooting in the UK. The upcoming movie will feature familiar Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) faces and newcomers from the X-Men and Fantastic Four.