Fans have been speculating about it for months, and we finally have an answer now. The asterisk in Thunderbolts* isn’t just a quirky branding or an edgy stylistic choice. It’s a full-on breadcrumb trail that leads straight into the heart of the MCU’s future: the New Avengers.
Fan screenings across the U.S. revealed that the asterisk in the title is actually a reference to the team’s real identity. In the final title card, Marvel confirms that the Thunderbolts* and Bob will return…as the New Avengers.
This tiny mark now carries massive narrative weight. Not only does it reveal where Marvel’s next big crossover is heading (Avengers: Doomsday, perhaps?), but it also recontextualizes everything we’ve seen in the film. These aren’t just reformed villains or reluctant allies. They’re the future flagship team of the MCU, whether they like it (or we do) or not.
With a lineup that includes Yelena (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Marvel isn’t just building another Avengers, they’re redefining what it even means to be one.
The asterisk as an identity crisis for the team’s name
The question of who the Thunderbolts* really are has been looming since the first teaser dropped till the final trailer. Even the film’s characters mock the moniker.
Red Guardian proudly declares, “We are the Thunderbolts!” only for Bucky to shoot back, “Can’t call ourselves that.” The line works both as a punchline and a thesis. These characters don’t yet know what team they’re on, but Marvel does.
That uncertainty is echoed in a poster that reads: “*The Avengers are not available.” With the original Avengers scattered, dead, or retired, there’s a power vacuum that this group has to fill. It’s also a clever nod to their “discount” status, aka B-list heroes with baggage instead of shine.
Think Suicide Squad with a soul. And with creatives from A24’s Beef, Minari, and Hereditary behind the scenes, Marvel’s dipping deep into indie waters to bring an offbeat flavor to the film.
Thunderbolts* and the road to Avengers: Doomsday
So, where is this all headed? Thunderbolts* seems to follow the same strategy Marvel used with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which ended with a title change to Captain America and the Winter Soldier in its final episode.
It’s very likely that the asterisk in Thunderbolts* hints at a transition. This shift will likely wrap up in Avengers: Doomsday, where the Thunderbolts (sorry, New Avengers) will play a central role.
Also worth noting? Lewis Pullman’s Bob—the MCU’s new Sentry—appears in the post-credits tease, suggesting that Marvel is loading up this team with heavy hitters for the future.
The asterisk isn’t just a meta-joke anymore; it’s a strategic narrative tool. It stands for the old team that was and the new team that’s about to rise.
MORE: 7 Best Moments from the ‘Thunderbolts*’ Special Look
