10 Biggest Thunderbolts* Reveals & Hidden Details In Marvel’s New Trailer

The first official teaser trailer for Thunderbolts* clocks in at a staggering three and a half minutes, which means there are plenty of big reveals and details to unpack. Thunderbolts* was initially announced by Marvel in 2022 at San Diego Comic Con, and since then, speculation about the film’s place in the MCU and its casting has been ongoing. Despite the obvious connection to another super team in the comics, and several characters in common, Thunderbolts* has steadily proven ahead of release that the movie will be moving in a different direction.

While the asterisk after the title has been added to clarify that the movie is setting its own course, the trailer does even more to back up this idea with incredible moments that build anticipation and excitement for what is to come. Despite the teaser trailer being dropped more than eight months ahead of the film’s release, it certainly did its job in building excitement. From answering questions that have plagued the MCU for more than half a decade, to introducing brand-new figures, there is a lot to discover in the Thunderbolts* trailer.

10 Thunderbolts* Confirms Who Bought Avengers Tower

Avengers Tower in Manhattan

While the tower Stark initially had his own name plastered on it became the official headquarters for the Avengers early on, it was only briefly used in that capacity. By the time Avengers: Age of Ultron was released, Stark and the rest of the heroes had moved to a new base in a less public area. Then, in Spider-Man: Homecoming, it was confirmed that Stark had made the decision to sell the tower to mysterious new buyers.

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Ever since, the tower’s new owners have remained mysteriously obscured, but considering the size and prime location of the building, it was certain to reappear in the MCU. While the building was occasionally referenced, and even seen briefly with renovations in Spider-Man: Far From Home, the ownership continued to be obscured. However, the Thunderbolts* trailer reveals that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has now set up shop in the tower. It remains to be seen if there are other benefactors who helped her acquire the building, but it’s clear that the tower will play a role in Thunderbolts*.

9 A Mystery Man Named Bob Appears

Blurred artwork of Sentry from Marvel Comics next to Lewis Pullman as Bob in the MCU's Thunderbolts* (2025) Custom Image by Lewis Glazebrook

The trailer includes several moments where the core cast can be seen interacting with each other, but very few where they meet up with new characters. Despite this fact, there is one moment when Yelena, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker all appear locked in a brawl, before a man in ill-fitting clothes appears and introduces himself as Bob. For fans unfamiliar with the comics, this character is likely to mean very little, but this moment marks the first time Robert “Bob” Reynolds has been seen officially in the MCU.

Lewis Pullman is the actor tackling the role, and while this first encounter may make Bob look like someone fairly unassuming, he has a significant secret. In the comics, Bob is the alter ego of the superhero, Sentry. Sentry is among the most powerful heroes in Marvel Comics, with several abilities in common with DC’s Superman. However, he also has a considerable downside to his powers, known as the Void. The Void is another entity which acts as a counter force to Sentry, and wields those same powers to enact vast destruction and devastation.

8 The Mystery Logo On The Badge

Sentry tearing a hole in reality in Marvel Comics

The idea that Lewis Pullman’s Bob will be Sentry in Thunderbolts* is further backed up later in the trailer. At one point, a large symbol is engraven on something that looks like a belt buckle. This sign may appear slightly generic, with two half circles on either side and a line through the middle, but this logo is a clear indicator that Sentry will be appearing in Thunderbolts*.

The title card for Thunderbolts* (2025) in front of footage of the titular team standing in an elevator Related What is the meaning behind Marvel Studios Thunderbolts*’s asterisk?

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* holds one of the most intriguing mysteries in the MCU at the moment. The movie’s title was updated to add an asterisk, and the meaning behind the change will only be known after the movie is released, according to Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. Recently, Red Guardian actor David Harbour teased that there is a cool explanation for the title tweak. The easiest solution to that question might be that the Thunderbolts team will go by another name at the end of the movie, maybe the Dark Avengers, like in the comics, or something new.

If this same symbol is turned on it’s side, it resembles an S. This is backed up by the fact that each half circle tapers off towards the end to create a flowing end that makes it look even more like the capitilized letter. This logo is also similar to the one used by Sentry in the comics, although it tends to be much larger and uninterrupted in its depiction. However, with this small item merely hinting at what is to come, it is possible that the film will include a more comic accurate logo for the powered up hero.

7 Bucky Fights The Thunderbolts

Bucky Barnes in the desert in the Thunderbolts* trailer

Thunderbolts* unveils a team of Marvel anti-heroes who have a dark past. Everyone on the team has been convicted of crimes, or done things that they are not proud of, either for superior officers, or to simply survive. However, it appears that the team manages to find a way to work together and support each other despite their history. This can be seen when most of the team approaches Valentina at the former Avengers Tower.

However, when bringing a group of hot-headed anti-heroes together, it’s no surprise that things don’t always go smoothly. With that in mind, there is a scene in the trailer where Bucky can be seen pursuing the others in his team. This moment sees Bucky fire at the car, and launch a lethal weapon that flips their car. This will likely be a part of the contention and growth that happens in the movie, but it could also indicate that someone has found the way to restore Bucky’s programming that made him the Winter Soldier in the first place.

6 John Walker Has A Baby

John Walker reading about his downfall in the Thunderbolts* trailer

When John Walker was last seen, he had a promising role as the new Captain America, officially being endorsed by the American government. However, his life fell to pieces in the process of fighting Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, and trying to contain the threat of the Flag Smashers. Walker became somewhat unstable after being injected with the super soldier serum, and it led to his aggression and anger being amplified in a way that seriously backfired.

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After losing his position, and the respect of the people he worked for and with, Walker had to make a new life for himself. As seen in the Thunderbolts* trailer, it looks as though he has done exactly that. Walker is first seen reading negative articles about his downfall online at home, while sitting next to a crying child. Walker is clearly stuck in the past, despite having new responsibilities and a life beyond the shield.

5 Careful Who You Assemble

Ryan Meinerding Avengers Assemble #1 Variant Cover Marvel Studios’ Avengers - full group shot concept art

One moment during the trailer draws unmissable similarities between Thunderbolts* and Avengers movies, and that is when the text appears on-screen. Towards the end of the trailer, the words “Careful,” “Who You,” and “Assemble” appear on-screen in large yellow letters. This is a clear callback to the Avengers, but it could also be hinting at something bigger. Since the title for Thunderbolts* was put back into dispute with Marvel Studios announcing the minor addition of an asterisk, there has been speculation about why this change was made.

Typically, an asterisk will denote that there is a footnote, or more detail in a section separate from the primary text. For Thunderbolts*, this could indicate that the team is not actually the Thunderbolts, but something else entirely. Thanks to the use of this text, it does hint that the team could be a new, or alternative version of the Avengers themselves. Whether that is the Dark Avengers, the New Avengers, or some other distinction is unclear, but the use of the word Assemble and the asterisk certainly point to some bigger reveal.

4 Loki’s Scepter On Display

Loki is handed the Scepter by the Other in The Avengers

While Loki has had some spectacular adventures in his own spin-off series as he explored the multiverse, the original Loki of the sacred timeline has been dead for years. Before his heartbreaking death, Loki had been the biggest threat to the Avengers when he fought the team during The Avengers. However, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes were able to get the upper hand, and repel Loki’s efforts for world domination.

A blurred image of the team from Thunderbolts* (2025) behind Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Val in Black Widow (2021) Related Marvel’s First Thunderbolts* Footage Hints 1 Team Member May Still Be A Villain

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After the Battle of New York, where aliens descended on the city and caused enormous damage, special teams were set up to clear up the alien equipment and restore the city. Somehow, Loki’s scepter, the weapon that he used in order to brainwash people, has ended up in some sort of private collection. While the scepter no longer has the Mind Stone in it, since Vision was made with that particular Inifnity Stone, it’s likely to still be a powerful tool for anyone who wields it.

3 Honoring The Heroes Of The Battle Of New York

The Avengers team during the Battle of New York

The Battle of New York is one of the biggest defining moments in the MCU. This was a moment that saw the Avengers go from a group of mismatched heroes, to a superhero team. However, since that time, many of these original heroes have died or disappeared. While new heroes step forward, the absence of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is likely to be felt by everyone.

One scene in the trailer reveals a party where the posters hanging on the wall read “Honoring The Heroes,” and “The Battle of New York.” This is the same event where Loki’s scepter is on display, but it also speaks to the larger landscape in the MCU after Avengers: Endgame. The heroes fought and killed Thanos, but despite bringing everyone back to life, five years had passed, and it led to a lot of issues. However, the wealthy appear to be very pleased with how the Avengers performed, and this event proves just that.

2 Updated Outfits For Ghost & Taskmaster

Taskmaster on an escalator in Black Widow

Ghost was last seen in 2018s Ant-Man and the Wasp. In a similar vein, it’s been years since Taskmaster was last seen in the MCU, with her first and only appearance before Thunderbolts* being the 2021 film, Black Widow. Both characters had notable roles in their films, and like many other figures in superhero films, they had specific costumes that made them standout. For Ghost, she wore a largely white suit with bright red lights on the mask. Now, she has a more muted costume in dark colors, with a white mask and subtle white lights.

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The current set up revealed for Thunderbolts* suggests one notable character may have actually died in the time since audiences last saw them.

Taskmaster wore a blue and orange outfit with a mask that included a large black visor in Black Widow. Now, her costume appears to be much more muted in terms of colors, but the mask is also styled in a way that makes it more reminiscent of the comic book version of the character, with a white color, and a shape that resembles a skull. These updated suits are perfect for the heroes as they become part of a larger team, while also keeping key details to connect them to their origins.

1 Yelena And Alexi Reconnect

Yelena Belova greeting Alexei Shostakov in the Thunderbolts* trailer

Finally, the film opens with a reunion between Yelena and her estranged adopted father, Alexi. In Black Widow, the family’s history as Russian spies and the false family on Yelena was revealed. Considering her young age, Yelena was unaware that these people were never actually her family, and the truth was devastating. However, even more upsetting was the fact that she was then left in the Red Room, where she was trained to become an elite assassin.

It would make sense for Yelena to never want to connect with her fake parents again, but the opening moments of the trailer see her and Alexi meet up for the first time in years. Alexi has clearly fallen on hard times, with “Past Due” letters posted to his fridge, but he tries hard to put on a brave face for Yelena and not reveal his struggles. The dynamic between the pari is interesting, and clearly one that will be explored in greater depth in Thunderbolts*.

Thunderbolts (2025) Official Poster Thunderbolts* (2025) Not Yet RatedAdventureAction

Marvel’s Thunderbolts* is a superhero movie based on the comic team of the same name. The movie acts as a part of the MCU’s fifth phase of films. The film sees the likes of Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell, the Red Guardian, and more as an unlikely group of heroes and villains brought together to fight for good.

Director Jake Schreier Release Date May 2, 2025 Studio(s) Marvel Studios Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers Lee Sung-jin , Eric Pearson , Joanna Calo Cast Florence Pugh , Sebastian Stan , David Harbour , Wyatt Russell , Olga Kurylenko , Hannah John-Kamen , Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Geraldine Viswanathan , Lewis Pullman , Joshua Mikel Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe Budget $200 million Main Genre Action Expand

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