Thunderbolts* Recap: 10 Things To Know From Previous Marvel Movies & Shows

Thunderbolts* brings together some of the most complex, morally gray characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – each of whom has ties to previous storylines from the MCU timeline. This darker MCU team-up film stars characters like Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, U.S. Agent, and Red Guardian. As such, the MCU’s Thunderbolts* will build on key character developments and plot points from earlier Marvel entries.

Unlike the Avengers, the Thunderbolts are a black-ops team made up of reformed villains, former enemies, and antiheroes operating in the gray area of morality. This group was first teased in Phase 4, as various characters were subtly recruited or nudged toward government-sanctioned missions. The idea seems to be part of a broader U.S. response to the global fallout from the Blip and the absence of the Avengers, with the government trying to build its own super-powered task force.

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10

Valentina Allegra De Fontaine Is Director Of The CIA

The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, Black Widow, & Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

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Introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and expanded in Black Widow and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has emerged as a major puppet master in the MCU’s post-Endgame political landscape. A master manipulator and recruiter, Valentina serves as Director of the CIA by the time of Wakanda Forever, positioning her at the center of global power games involving Vibranium, intelligence agencies, and powered individuals.

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Her recruitment of U.S. Agent (John Walker) and interest in Yelena Belova reveals a broader plan to form a team capable of executing missions the Avengers never could—or wouldn’t. She’s cold, calculated, and morally flexible, making her a key architect of the Thunderbolts. Viewers should expect her influence to shape not only the missions the Thunderbolts undertake, but the ethical lines the team might cross in the process.

9

Bucky Barnes Was Pardoned And Is Now A US Congressman

Captain America: Brave New World

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Following the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes – formerly the Winter Soldier – was officially pardoned for his past actions as a brainwashed Hydra assassin. The Disney+ series focused on his attempt to make amends through therapy, justice, and self-awareness. In the time since, Bucky has taken a surprising turn into the world of politics, and by his cameo in Captain America: Brave New World, was running for US Congress.

This new role represents a major shift for the character, but it’s not without tension. Bucky’s history as a weapon of war, combined with his evolving moral compass, puts him in a unique position: both a policymaker and an operative. It’s clear from the Thunderbolts* trailer that Bucky is still engaging in heroics, so he will be balancing his political endeavors with vigilante duties.

8

Yelena Belova Is Grieving The Loss Of Her Sister, Natasha Romanoff

Black Widow

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Yelena Belova’s arc is deeply shaped by the loss of Natasha Romanoff, the original Black Widow. As seen in Black Widow, Yelena was Natasha’s adoptive sister who was freed from the Red Room’s mind control, reuniting briefly with her sister before Natasha sacrificed herself in Avengers: Endgame. Yelena’s grief is complex and still raw, especially considering she was manipulated into targeting Clint Barton – something explored in Hawkeye.

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Yelena’s emotional volatility and unresolved trauma make her a standout character within the Thunderbolts. Unlike her sister, Yelena doesn’t idealize heroism, viewing espionage and violence as survival tools. While she may still carry Natasha’s values deep down, her grief and cynicism make her unpredictable, especially within a team dynamic that’s already full of clashing agendas. Thunderbolts* is set to explore how she channels – or suppresses – that pain.

7

Yelena Belova Works As An Operative For Val

Black Widow & Hawkeye

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Since Black Widow, Yelena Belova has been quietly working as an operative under Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, taking on covert missions and assassinations. This alliance was revealed in the post-credits scene of Black Widow, where Valentina manipulates Yelena into targeting Clint Barton, suggesting he was to blame for Natasha’s death. While Yelena may not fully trust Val, she appears to accept the nature of her work – and the paycheck that comes with it.

Yelena’s contract killer status shows that she’s operating outside the law but still within an organized system. By the time the team comes together, Yelena is already accustomed to high-risk black ops. What remains unclear is how long she’s willing to stay under Val’s thumb, especially after the misinformation regarding Natasha’s death. Yelena’s loyalty is still fluid, and that ambiguity could be critical to the Thunderbolts’ internal dynamics.

6

Taskmaster Was Brainwashed In The Red Room

Black Widow

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In Black Widow, audiences were introduced to Antonia Dreykov, better known as Taskmaster, a lethal assassin with the ability to mimic any fighting style. Antonia was brainwashed by her father, General Dreykov, as part of the Red Room’s covert training program. Like other Red Room operatives, Antonia had no agency – her body and mind were enslaved via chemical mind control and technological enhancements.

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Her skills were downloaded into her via neural implants, making her a living weapon. By the end of Black Widow, Natasha helped free Taskmaster from her father’s control using the Red Dust antidote. However, her future was left uncertain. Now, as a member of the Thunderbolts, Antonia is seeking her own identity, grappling with years of psychological trauma and conditioning she never chose. This past will likely influence how she operates within a morally ambiguous team like the Thunderbolts and was last seen in the care of freed Black Widows.

5

Ghost Needs Quantum Energy To Become Stable

Ant-Man And The Wasp

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Ava Starr, aka Ghost, was introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp as a victim of a quantum accident. After her father’s failed experiment, her body was left in a constant state of molecular instability – she can phase through matter but experiences chronic pain and the threat of disintegration. The only thing keeping her alive was a containment suit developed by SHIELD. She was desperate for quantum energy, believing it could cure her condition.

With Janet van Dyne’s return from the Quantum Realm, Ava received a temporary infusion of quantum energy, granting her relief. However, the fix wasn’t permanent, and Ghost remains dependent on regular exposure to quantum energy to stay stable. Ant-Man and the Wasp ended with Ghost going into hiding and the eponymous heroes attempting to harvest quantum energy to assist her. However, the heroes were interrupted by the Snap and Ghost hasn’t emerged since.

4

Red Guardian Was Yelena’s Father On A Long Undercover Operation

Black Widow

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In Black Widow, Alexei Shostakov – better known as the Red Guardian – was revealed to be the Soviet Union’s answer to Captain America. During the ’90s, he was sent to the U.S. as part of a deep-cover operation alongside Melina Vostokoff, with young Natasha and Yelena posing as their children. Though the mission was a sham, Alexei genuinely grew to love the girls.

Following the mission’s end, Alexie was imprisoned in Russia and largely forgotten by the government he served. When he reunites with Yelena years later, their relationship is strained but laced with affection. Red Guardian is a flawed, boastful relic of Cold War superpower games, but his paternal instincts remain genuine. His dynamic with Yelena – equal parts comic relief and emotional anchor – will be essential in Thunderbolts* as they navigate working within a team.

3

After Losing The Captain America Shield, John Walker Was Recruited By Val

The Falcon And The Winter Soldier

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John Walker made his debut in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as the U.S. government’s hand-picked successor to Captain America. Though a decorated soldier, he quickly proved unstable under pressure, culminating in a violent, public murder of a Flag-Smasher using Cap’s shield. Disgraced and stripped of the Captain America title, Walker was at his lowest when approached by the mysterious Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

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Val offered him a second chance – this time as U.S. Agent, a more shadowy and government-aligned version of Captain America. Her recruitment pitch hinted at a new team being formed to handle missions the Avengers wouldn’t touch. Walker accepted, seeking redemption and a sense of purpose. In Thunderbolts*, he’ll serve as the team’s military-minded bruiser, though his volatility and thirst for approval may once again prove dangerous in high-stakes situations.

2

Ghost Worked As A Stealth Operative For SHIELD For Many Years

Ant-Man And The Wasp

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Before the events of Ant-Man and the Wasp, Ava Starr was a highly trained operative for SHIELD – albeit one kept off the books. Raised and mentored by SHIELD scientist Bill Foster, Ghost was used for covert missions where her phasing ability gave her a unique advantage. She was essentially a living ghost, able to infiltrate high-security areas, gather intel, and eliminate targets with minimal detection. However, her work was not driven by patriotism – it was survival.

SHIELD promised her treatment for her condition in exchange for service, but after the agency’s collapse during Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Ava was left without support. This betrayal contributed to her mistrust of institutions and her desperation in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Now, with Thunderbolts*, she’s being drawn back into dangerous operations – but this time, she might be fighting more for herself than any government.

1

The US Government Has A Long History Of Trying To Create Super-Soldiers

The Falcon And The Winter Soldier

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Ever since Steve Rogers became Captain America during World War II, the U.S. government has been obsessed with replicating the Super-Soldier Serum. This pursuit has led to morally dubious experiments, shadow programs, and tragic failures throughout the MCU’s history. Isaiah Bradley, revealed in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, was subjected to cruel testing in the 1950s, while Bruce Banner’s Hulk transformation stemmed from attempts to recreate the serum.

John Walker was the most recent official recipient, though he obtained it illegally. In The Incredible Hulk, General Ross spearheaded efforts to make Abomination. The obsession reveals a pattern: America’s desire to control power through enhanced soldiers, regardless of the human cost. Val’s team in Thunderbolts* seems like the next chapter in this legacy – an expendable unit made up of enhanced or rogue operatives who can do the dirty work official heroes can’t.

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Thunderbolts*

PG-13

Adventure

Action

Sci-Fi

8/10

Release Date

May 2, 2025

Runtime

126 Minutes

Director

Jake Schreier

Writers

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Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo

Franchise(s)

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Cast

See All

• 

  Florence Pugh

  Yelena Belova

• 

  Sebastian Stan

  James Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier

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