Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*: The Antihero squad that could redefine the MCU and make the Avengers obsolete?

As Marvel Studios gears up for the release of Thunderbolts in May 2025, fans and analysts alike are wondering if this ragtag crew of antiheroes could mark a turning point for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Could this unlikely alliance of misfits not only reinvigorate a faltering franchise but also replace the Avengers as the go-to superhero ensemble?

Who Are the Thunderbolts?

The Thunderbolts line-up reads like a who's who of Marvel’s morally grey characters. The core cast includes Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko).

All are orchestrated by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), who appears to be a shadowy analogue to Nick Fury.

Each character comes with baggage — a chequered past, a failed redemption arc, or a conflicted moral compass. Unlike the Avengers, who were idealistic (at least initially), the Thunderbolts thrive in ambiguity.

The movie makes it clear that the Thunderbolts are not here to save the world because it's right — they’re here because they have no choice or nowhere else to go.

A Sentry Among Them

Adding an intriguing twist is the arrival of Bob Reynolds, aka Sentry (Lewis Pullman). In the comics, Sentry is arguably one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe, often compared to Superman in terms of power but with a psychologically fragile alter ego, the Void.

As such, his inclusion adds a wildcard to an already unstable team, heightening both the tension and the stakes.

Why Thunderbolts Might Replace the Avengers

One of the primary appeals of the original Avengers was the novelty of disparate heroes coming together for a common cause. Thunderbolts leans into this formula but adds modern gravitas. Instead of noble warriors, it features traumatised, manipulated, and morally conflicted individuals, arguably a more relatable reflection of today’s audiences.

The interpersonal dynamics are rich. Florence Pugh’s Yelena and David Harbour’s Red Guardian promise to explore a ‘bizarre but pure’ father-daughter relationship, infusing emotional depth and grounding the narrative in real human struggles.

Additionally, with the MCU needing a hit after a string of tepid releases, Thunderbolts might just provide the tonal shift audiences are craving: grittier, more introspective, and less dependent on quips.

Why Avengers Still Hold the Crown

While Thunderbolts carries promise, replacing the Avengers is a tall order. The original Avengers films weren’t just successful; they were cultural phenomena. They brought together A-list heroes, cemented iconic portrayals, and laid the foundation for the MCU’s interconnected narrative.

In contrast, most Thunderbolts members were introduced in side projects or as secondary characters.

They lack the same cultural imprint and fanbase as the original lineup. Furthermore, Marvel’s recent experimentation with darker, morally nuanced themes hasn’t always paid off. Films like Eternals and Quantumania had similar ambitions but fell short of box office and critical expectations.

What Makes It Different

Thunderbolts seems to embrace its dysfunction. Unlike the Avengers, who formed in the face of a common enemy with clear morality, the Thunderbolts are tasked with confronting a threat they already know they cannot defeat. It’s a premise loaded with existential dread, sacrifice, and perhaps, reluctant heroism.

This element alone — a team banding together not out of hope but desperation — sets it apart. It is reminiscent of war stories, where the bonds forged in adversity become the centrepiece rather than the victory itself.

Final Thought: A New Era or a Risky Gamble?

As Marvel pivots toward this new direction, Thunderbolts could signal a seismic shift in storytelling tone and character focus. Whether audiences will embrace this grimmer, messier team remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Thunderbolts has all the right ingredients to become the MCU’s next defining chapter — or its most daring misfire.

The Avengers may have set the gold standard. But perhaps the world now needs heroes with tarnished armour.