Marvel fans have eagerly anticipated the release of Thunderbolts, the 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which hits theaters on May 2, 2025. As with many MCU films, Thunderbolts includes end-credits scenes that tease future developments within the franchise. This time, the film features two scenes: one comedic and the other setting the stage for upcoming major MCU events.
In the film, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, finds herself facing government impeachment. In a twist of fate, her attempts to manage her operatives lead them to turn against her. The anti-heroes of the film—Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen), Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), and Antonia Dreykov (Olga Kurylenko)—are forced to unite when Valentina tries to manipulate Robert Reynolds (Lewis Pullman) into accepting his destiny as the almighty Sentry. This effort inadvertently unleashes his unstable alter-ego, The Void, on New York City.
Fortunately, the team manages to save the city, prompting Valentina to announce them as "The New Avengers." This unexpected title raises numerous questions about the future of the MCU, especially as it hints at the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday.
The mid-credits scene of Thunderbolts offers a light-hearted moment, showcasing The New Avengers on Wheaties cereal boxes—a dream come true for Alexei, who humorously interacts with a shopper. While the scene primarily serves as a comedic gag, it also reflects the public's mixed feelings about this group of former criminals stepping into the roles of Earth's mightiest heroes.
However, the post-credits scene is where things get particularly intriguing. Set several months after the main events of the film, this scene reveals The New Avengers settling into their new headquarters at the former Avengers Tower, now dubbed the New-Avengers-Tower. The team dons new uniforms, with Alexei sporting a notably quirky tracksuit. Yet, not all is well; Bob expresses his inability to take on the Sentry mantle without risking another Void outbreak, highlighting the ongoing threat his alter-ego poses.
In a significant development, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), now Captain America, expresses his disapproval of The New Avengers and is seen leading a more official Avengers team. This new team is likely composed of members from the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, including Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Shang-Chi (Simu Liu). The tension between the two groups escalates when Sam Wilson even considers legal action against the former Thunderbolts for using the name "Avengers." This conflict echoes the earlier tensions between Iron Man and Captain America, which culminated in the Avengers' struggles during Infinity War.
As the post-credits scene unfolds, a message alerts The New Avengers to an interdimensional ship breaching Earth's orbit, marked with a prominent "4"—a clear indication of the impending arrival of The Fantastic Four. This interdimensional aspect ties into the larger narrative of the MCU, hinting at the potential crossover with characters from different universes.
The Fantastic Four, set to debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 24, 2025, will play a crucial role in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, which is currently filming in the U.K. Pedro Pascal, who will portray Mister Fantastic, has been spotted on set, sharing glimpses of his character's costume and even reading a book titled The Gender of Sound by Anne Carson, which may hint at his character's arc in the film.
In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the titular heroes are expected to navigate a retro-futuristic world threatened by the planet-eating cosmic entity Galactus (voiced by Ralph Ineson) and his herald, Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer (played by Julia Garner). The film will also feature appearances from actors like Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and John Malkovich in undisclosed roles, with Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom anticipated to make a post-credits cameo.
The excitement surrounding The Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn't stop there; it will also receive a comic book tie-in that explores the events of the film, making it the first MCU team to have such a connection. This comic will reveal how long The Fantastic Four have been heroes by the time the film begins.
As the MCU gears up for its Phase Six, with Avengers: Doomsday scheduled for release on April 29, 2026, fans are left to speculate about the implications of the interdimensional crises hinted at in the post-credits scenes of Thunderbolts. The looming threat of incursions—catastrophic events where parallel universes collide—was first mentioned in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and it seems this theme will play a pivotal role in the upcoming films.
With all these developments, Marvel is setting the stage for a thrilling new chapter in its cinematic universe, intertwining beloved characters and introducing new ones. As fans await the release of Thunderbolts* and the subsequent films, the anticipation for how these storylines will unfold continues to build.
