Thunderbolts is a movie that Marvel has been teasing for several years now. It’s clear that this film is the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s closest counterpart to DC’s Suicide Squad, featuring a team that’s far from your standard lineup of heroes. In fact, many of them are either outright villains or redeemed antiheroes.
The story places a strong spotlight on Natasha Romanoff’s sister, Yelena Belova, who has essentially stepped into the role of the new Black Widow. After losing her sister at the end of Endgame and failing to find closure or revenge through her encounter with Hawkeye, Yelena is left disillusioned, emotionally drained, and struggling to find purpose.
For the most part, Yelena has been working under the direction of government figurehead Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. However, Valentina’s own position is in jeopardy, as Congress has begun impeachment proceedings against her due to her increasingly shady dealings. At best, she’s on the verge of losing her power; at worst, she’s facing serious prison time. Nevertheless, she’s determined to do whatever it takes to change her fate.
In a surprising twist, Bucky Barnes is now serving as a congressman representing a district in Brooklyn, New York. While he doesn’t seem especially passionate about the role, it’s clear he’ll be doing more than just casting votes—his involvement in the unfolding events runs much deeper.
Yelena is sent on a new mission by Valentina, which leads her into a tense standoff with various Black Ops operatives such as John Walker. It soon becomes apparent that all of them have outlived their usefulness to their employer—and Yelena isn’t comfortable with what she uncovers.
The most unexpected element in all of this is the appearance of a mysterious man named Bob. He stumbles into the chaos wearing only a hospital gown, with no memory of who he is or how he got there.
Roughly 24 hours after the film’s release, Marvel officially rebranded Thunderbolts as The New Avengers. A move that makes perfect sense given how the pieces are being set for the future of the MCU. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has seen its share of highs and lows over the past five years, but this film definitely falls on the positive side. While I wouldn’t rank it among the top-tier MCU entries, it holds its ground comfortably in the middle and does an impressive job laying the groundwork for the upcoming Fantastic Four movie.