Thunderbolts*
Marvel Studios has introduced many bomber , villain and antihero who would be consummate to join futureMCUThunderbolts line - ups after the squad ’s upcoming live - action launching in 2025’sThunderbolts * . Marvel boss Kevin Feige confirmed themain throw off forThunderbolts*at SDCC 2022 , confirm that a figure of antiheroes and reform villains from the MCU ’s history would be returning . This was met with some criticism , however , as some of the Thunderbolts ' most iconic member from Marvel Comics were omitted from the squad , despite having been introduced to the MCU already .
MCU Thunderbolts Member
Actor
Debut Project
Bucky Barnes ' Winter Soldier
Sebastian Stan
Custom Image by Kai Young
Captain America : The First Avenger(2021 )
Ava Starr ’s shade
Hannah John - Kamen
Ant - Man and the Wasp(2018 )
John Walker ’s US Agent
Wyatt Russell
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier(2021 )
Yelena Belova
Florence Pugh
Black Widow(2021 )
Alexei Shostakov ’s Red Guardian
David Harbour
Antonia Dreykov ’s Taskmaster
Olga Kurylenko
Marvel ’s Thunderbolts teamfirst appeared in Marvel Comics in 1997’sThe Incredible Hulk # 449 , with Baron Zemo bringing together several former Masters of Evil extremity to create a new team in the wake of the Avengers ' apparent deaths at the paw of Onslaught . The Thunderbolts have get on many bod over the age , contain scoundrel , dark heroes , espionage - themed heroes and even being twisted constabulary force . Many character have join and take leave the team , which means the same may be done in the MCU , and any of these notable characters could joinfuture Thunderbolts teams .
10Baron Helmut Zemo
Daniel Brühl Debuted As Baron Zemo In Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The most shameful omission from theMCU ’s first Thunderbolts team was Baron Helmut Zemo . Daniel Brühl land Zemo to life inCaptain America : Civil Warand repeat the role inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier , apparently setting him up perfectly to join the Thunderbolts , specially consecrate his polar role in the team ’s constitution in Marvel Comics . The Thunderbolts first come together under Zemo ’s dictation in 1997 , so it would have been brilliant to see him have a central role in Marvel Studios’Thunderbolts * , but this does n’t seem to be the case .
Daniel Brühl ’s Baron Zemo was absent in the MCU ’s first look at Marvel ’s Thunderbolts at D23 . There ’s an in - write up reason why he was n’t let in .
Baron Zemo was last interpret being taken to the Raft by the Dora Milaje inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier , imprison for the murder of the Wakandan King T’Chaka and his other criminal offense inCaptain America : Civil War . His residence in the Raft means Zemo would be very easy for someone building a squad of antiheroes and villains to track down , so it ’s a wonderJulia Louis - Dreyfus ' Valentina Allegra de Fontainemissed him . Zemo would make the stark candidate to join and even lead future Thunderbolts team , especially moot his moral ambiguity .
9Frank Castle’s Punisher
Jon Bernthal Debuted As The Punisher In Daredevil Season 2 (2016)
Jon Bernthal first appeared as iconic Marvel antihero Frank Castle , a.k.a . the Punisher , in 2016’sDaredevilseason 2 , and sound on to star in his own spinoff serial before being annunciate to be repeat the role in2025 ’s highly anticipatedDaredevil : Born Again . Frank Castle first joined Red Hulk ’s looping of the Thunderbolts in 2012’sThunderbolts ( Vol . 2 ) # 1 , though it ’s a mystery story why he was n’t featured on the squad in the first place , as he is perhaps the perfect Thunderbolt campaigner . This signify it ’s also very possible he could join the alive - activity team after their upcoming entry .
Red Hulk ’s Thunderbolts team in 2012 included Deadpool , Elektra , Agent Venom , Red Leader , Mercy and Ghost Rider , as well as the Punisher .
Until now , Jon Bernthal ’s Frank Castlehas been something of a solitary ranger , though he has at times teamed up with Daredevil , Micro , Dinah Madani and Amy Bendix . It would be wild to see him connect a team of similar - apt antihero , though he likely wo n’t start direct into being a Thunderbolt after his homecoming inDaredevil : Born Again . The Punisher ’s brutality , violent tendencies and moral codification fit the Thunderbolts perfectly , and this would prepare up a bright hereafter for Jon Bernthal ’s antihero in the MCU .
8Marc Spector’s Moon Knight
Oscar Isaac Debuted As Moon Knight In Moon Knight (2022)
Moon Knight is one of the most exciting antiheroes innovate to the MCU in recent years , but Marvel Studios has n’t yet confirmed a future for the Protector of the Travelers of the Night in unrecorded - action . While there has been speculation that Oscar Isaac ’s Moon Knight could be crucial to the exploitation of theMCU ’s Midnight Sons squad , a supernaturally - focussed chemical group , he would also make a formidable Thunderbolt . Moon Knight has not been involved with the Thunderbolts in Marvel Comics , but this could be his consummate next stone’s throw in the springy - action MCU .
Marc Spector Alters
Moon Knight Moniker
Marc Spector
Moon Knight
Steven Grant
Mr. Knight
Jake Lockley
TBD
2022’sMoon Knightseries bring out Marc Spector and his alters to the MCU , all of whom act as the avatar of the Egyptian God of the Moon , Khonshu . Khonshu has granted his Moon Knight some incredible gifts that would sure enough benefit a future Thunderbolts squad , including nigh - invulnerability , extreme acrobatic accomplishment , stamen and strength , to name a few . Moon Knight could even be joined byMay Calamawy ’s Layla El - Faouly , a.k.a . the Scarlet Scarab , another exciting recent fighter whose MCU future has n’t been confirm , both of whom would make the Thunderbolts significantly more powerful .
7Clint Barton’s Hawkeye
Jeremy Renner Debuted As Hawkeye In Thor (2011)
While original Avenger and steadfast hero Clint Barton may seem an unorthodox selection to link up a team of antiheroes and reformed scoundrel , Hawkeye was actually featured as one of the first Thunderbolts members in Marvel Comics’Thunderbolts # 21 in 1998.Jeremy Renner ’s Clint Bartonhas shown off some of his dark sides sentence and again , which makes him a clean-cut candidate to join , and perhaps even lead , a next Thunderbolts team . With a Brobdingnagian riches of experience in other superhero team , Hawkeye could be the most notable Thunderbolts member ever .
Marvel Studios has set up up two major replacement team for the Avengers in the Multiverse Saga , but they both have the same problem to overcome .
2021’sHawkeyeseries saw Clint Barton battle with the idea of post himself better , as he has been perhaps the most forgettable Avenger since his brief debut in 2011’sThor . Becoming the loss leader of the Thunderbolts would not only facilitate with this stigmatisation outlet , but would also give the brand - new team some gravitas and impact , and paint them in a more positive light in the public eye . Jeremy Renner ’s futurity in the MCUhasn’t been confirmed , but it ’s potential he ’ll return , and afford his connection to Thunderbolt Yelena Belova , it would make sense for him to bring together this new squad .
6Maya Lopez’s Echo
Alaqua Cox Debuted As Echo In Hawkeye (2021)
likewise to Marc Spector ’s Moon Knight , Maya Lopez , a.k.a . Echo , has never been involve with the Thunderbolts in Marvel Comics . However , Alaqua Cox ’s portrayal of the Native American hero in the MCU has been dead prime to link up future iterations of the Thunderbolts , specially after learning how to access her ancestors ' powers in2024’sEchoMarvel Spotlight series . Maya is an incredibly skilled and fell fighter with close link to major criminals , including her foster uncle , Wilson Fisk ’s Kingpin , so she ’d be right at home plate among the Thunderbolts .
Alaqua Cox made her acting debut as Maya Lopez inHawkeye , and Maya is currently Cox ’s only on - screen theatrical role . Her enatic cousin , Darnell Besaw , portrayed the younger version of Maya Lopez in bothHawkeyeandEcho .
If the Thunderbolts squad comprises reformed villains , Maya Lopez fits the handbill perfectly . She started her MCU career as the leader of the Tracksuit Mafia inHawkeye , chase after the puzzling Ronin in an exertion to retaliate her father ’s death . After learning the true statement , however , she returned home to Tamaha , Oklahoma , and discovered new superpowers that stand for she could stand her earth among the likes of Red Guardian , US Agent and Ghost . Like many late MCU character , it ’s unclearwhat the future holds for Echo , so turn up her into a future Thunderbolts team could be a great course of action .
5Shang-Chi
Simu Liu Debuted As Shang-Chi In Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021)
In 2024 , following Marvel Comics’Captain America : Cold Warevent , Bucky Barnes brought together a new team of Thunderbolts comprising some of the world ’s good spy and assassins . Under the Gamemaster byname , Shang - Chi was enroll to this team to aid bring down the Red Skull and his enterprises across the Earth , leading to a final stand - off in Latveria . Simu Liu brought Shang - Chi to spirit in 2022’sShang - Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings , and while his future as a Thunderbolt would be unexpected , he would be a formidable improver to the team .
Simu Liu will sound Shang - Chi inWhat If … ?season 3 andMarvel Zombies .
Shang - Chi ’s command of the mystical ten pack relieve oneself him one of the MCU ’s most knock-down young heroes , yet his alive - action future has n’t yet been confirmed by Marvel Studios . It ’s very possible Shang - Chi could become a appendage of the upcoming Avengers squad , especially since he met Wong , Bruce Banner and Carol Danvers ' Captain Marvel inShang - Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’mid - credits scene . However , it would be capital to see Shang - Chi get more development before joining a team of such big personalities , and futureThunderbolts*projects could present the perfect chance .
4Melina Vostokoff’s Iron Maiden
Rachel Weisz Debuted As Melina Vostokoff In Black Widow (2021)
The only member ofBlack Widow’smain cast who has n’t been confirmed to return inThunderbolts * , including Scarlett Johansson , is Rachel Weisz . Weisz portrayedMelina Vostokoff inBlack Widow , an elite Black Widow assassin and a high profile scientist in the Red Room who worked on the chemic mind control agent that subjugated hundreds of girls , include Yelena Belova . When she larn the truth , Melina campaign alongside her surrogate family to bring down the Red Room , andgiven her connection to Yelena Belova and Alexei Shostakov , it ’s surprising she is n’t a member of the Thunderbolts .
After Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans , the last Avenger who pass away or left the MCU in Endgame is back , as Scarlett Johansson is part of a novel project .
Melina Vostokoff becoming a Thunderbolt could have created the opportunity for her to debut her Iron Maiden role . In Marvel Comics , Melina Vostokoff ’s Iron Maidenis an armored enemy of Natasha Romanoff ’s Black Widow , just as she was inWhat If … ?season 2 , but her live - legal action characterisation could be very different . Rachel Weisz has been rumour to be making an appearance inThunderbolts * , but it would be corking for this to evolve into her consume a permanent theatrical role in the titular squad as Iron Maiden , a formidable new antihero and assassin .
3Elektra Natchios
Élodie Yung Debuted As Elektra Natchios In Daredevil Season 2 (2016)
Since Netflix ’s Defenders Saga was substantiate to be canon to the MCU in former 2024 , and was folded into the MCU ’s prescribed timeline on Disney+ , it ’s potential thatÉlodie Yung ’s Elektra Natchioscould return alongside Charlie Cox ’s Daredevil . Elektra had a riotous time inDaredevilseason 2 andThe defender , as she lost her biography at the end of the former before being uprise as the dark Black Sky by the Hand in the latter . Elektra was assume dead after the flop of Midland Circle , but the " no body , no expiry " rule could apply here , allow Elektra to retort .
Defender Saga Series
Lead Actor
time of year
Release Window
Daredevil
Charlie Cox
3
2015 - 2018
Jessica Jones
Krysten Ritter
2015 - 2019
Luke Cage
Mike Colter
2
2016 - 2018
Iron Fist
Finn Jones
2017 - 2018
The Defenders
All of the Above
1
2017
The Punisher
Jon Bernthal
2017 - 2019
Jennifer Garner ’s reprisal of Elektra inDeadpool & Wolverinereignited interest in seeing the powerful distaff warrior on - cover again . Élodie Yung ’s characterisation is arguably the more comic - precise and more popular , and her darker corners that were search inDaredevilandThe Defendersmean she ’s a double-dyed nominee to unite the Thunderbolts squad . Yung has verbalize her interest in reprize the role in the MCU ’s futurity , and sinceDaredevil : support Againis already crammed full of returning Defenders Saga characters , it would be big to see her become a Thunderbolt instead , pave her own path without Matt Murdock .
2Wade Wilson’s Deadpool
Ryan Reynolds Debuted As The Current Deadpool In Deadpool (2016)
After becoming one of the most popular and successful view of 20th Century Fox’sX - Menfranchise in 2016’sDeadpooland its 2018 continuation , Ryan Reynolds ' Merc with a Mouth made hisMCU introduction in 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine . The Phase 5 picture has seen vast achiever , even becoming the highest - gross R - rated movie in account , which meansDeadpool will inevitably be incorporate even further into the MCU . Since Deadpool is a prominent extremity of the Thunderbolts in Marvel Comics , it would be great to see him flesh out this brand name - newfangled live - action team in the MCU .
Both Ryan Reynolds ' Deadpool and Hugh Jackman ’s Wolverine have been rumored forAvengers : DoomsdayandSecret Wars , but their appearances have n’t been confirmed by Marvel Studios .
SinceDeadpool & Wolverineended with Wade Wilson back on Earth-10005 , with no star sign of him entering Earth-616 permanently , the future is unsure for Deadpool . He could shape a new version of his ten - Force team fromDeadpool 2or join theMCU ’s coming X - Men squad , extend the maturate narrative around mutant in the MCU.It would be great to see him as a Thunderbolt , however , particularly alongside the Red Hulk , the Punisher and Elektra , perhaps adapt the variation of the team from 2012’sThunderbolts ( Vol . 2)in Marvel Comics .
1Emil Blonsky’s Abomination
Tim Roth Debuted As The Abomination In The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Perhaps the most obvious potential Thunderbolts fellow member who has been neglect from the team ’s first line - up is also one of the MCU ’s honest-to-goodness characters : Emil Blonsky ’s Abomination . Tim Roth debut as Russian - British soldierEmil Blonsky in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk , who was enhanced with an experimental A-one soldier blood serum by General Ross and then exposed to Bruce Banner ’s lineage , metamorphose him into the Abomination . Abomination never became a Thunderbolt in Marvel Comics , but he fits the brief of the live - action team perfectly , so his exclusion is mysterious .
One of the most gross omissions in Marvel ’s Thunderbolts cast is Abomination . Is he not in the movie ? Here ’s why he may have been invalidate .
Tim Roth reprised his role after 14 years in 2022’sShe - giant : Attorney at Law , which saw him bring a more lighthearted and laid back translation of Emil Blonsky into the MCU . He was last seen being release from prison house by Wong , which could lead to him joining a completely different superpowered team , perhaps even the young Avengers . However , Abomination will first and frontmost always be see as a villain , so it ’s far more likely he ’ll become tortuous with the Thunderboltsat some point after the team ’s launching in 2025’sThunderbolts * , and this would be very exciting for the Abomination .
Your Rating
Your commentary has not been economise
