Tag: Thunderbolts

The Hypothetical 2024 Marvel Studios Release Calendar, V2

Tentatively set to go into production next Spring, Deadpool 3 could kick off Marvel Studios’ theatrical slate in 2024.

Originally the WandaVision spinoff looked like it might be ready in time for a late-2023 release, maybe even as early as Halloween. But production delays on other projects seem to have shoved the start of production on Agatha: House of Harkness to the first quarter of 2023, making it likely we won’t see the Kathryn Hahn-led streamer until 2024.

With director Jake Schreier on board and a script by Black Widow scribe Eric Pearson ready to go, Thunderbolts is expected to go into production next summer, making it a very likely candidate for the May release. While details on the project are currently non-existent, Julia Louis-Dreyfus‘ Val will have her team complete by then so expect to see Florence Pugh and Wyatt Russell back.

Even though Marvel Studios is still pretending that Charlie Cox isn’t going to be in She-Hulk, trade reports did confirm that he will show up in Echo and that a solo Daredevil project will follow. It was only a matter of time before the Man Without Fear got his own Marvel Studios streaming series and it looks like he’ll be joined by another one of Netflix’s Defenders, with Krysten Ritter rumored to be on board as well. Expect the events of Echo to dovetail right into this series, allowing Marvel Studios to start building out that corner of the MCU.

Unfortunately, there are very few surprises left about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. One of them, however, is how the events of the film will lead to this spinoff series…and we’re happy to keep it that way. Ryan Coogler has created an expansive world within the MCU and Midnight Angels is just one example of that. Reports indicate it’ll go into production next summer, so a Summer 2024 debut on D+ sounds right.

After a bit of wheel-spinning, a director was found for this project in Julius Onah. Onah is working with the writing crew of Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson, who will continue their work on Sam Wilson’s story as Cap that began in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, so the continuity should be fantastic. Maybe fans will get a subtitle for this film soon and get some idea of what direction Captain America will be headed in.

The most pleasant surprise on this list, the Wonder Man streaming series, co-created by Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest, who will also serve as the series’ head writer, should go into production next year, giving it as good of an opportunity as any other series to make the 2024 slate. All eyes will be on who Marvel Studios casts as Simon Williams, with a potential announcement coming at SDCC or D23.

With Jon Watts now off the project, Marvel Studios is working hard to find a director for their Fantastic Four. Word is that they have been chasing some big names, though several reports have surfaced that indicate Steven Spielberg, arguably the biggest name on their list, won’t be the man behind the camera. Spielberg or no Spielberg, Marvel Studios hopes to have a director on board before long so they can get this one into production in the Fall of 2023, allowing it to make the November 8th date.

Marvel Studios has several animated projects at different points of production and any one of them could fill this end-of-the-year spot. Of them all, it seems like Spider-Man: Freshman Year should be the furthest along and would fit nicely in 2024 since fans would otherwise be looking at a potential 4-year gap between MCU Spidey projects. A canonical animated series that’ll give fans a little more of Peter’s MCU origin seems like a great way to wrap up a PACKED 2024.

July 21, 2022
A Caper With Actual Capes: How ‘Thunderbolts’ Can Be More Than the MCU’s Suicide Squad

From the moment Helmut Zemo made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, comic book film fans have looked forward to the possibility of seeing his signature team, the Thunderbolts, enter the narrative. And recently, it became (semi) official, as it was reported in the industry trades that the long-rumored project was in active development, with a writer and director attached, and an expected filming schedule of Summer 2023. And with speculation season now in full swing, now’s a great time to look at what the MCU’s version of the Thunderbolts could entail, and what form the project could (and should) look like.

The Thunderbolts is a group that has had several incarnations in the comics, but is best understood to be former villains assuming heroic roles, either at their own behest or at the behest of the government. At first measure, then, it’s easy to understand why one would think of the Thunderbolts as Marvel’s answer to the Suicide Squad. And with two somewhat successful cinematic forays into presenting that kind of team to audiences, it wouldn’t be completely surprising if Feige & Co. decided to go that route. But the original premise for the Thunderbolts, back in 1997 in a story written by Kurt Busiek, was much more groundbreaking, because readers were led to believe that they were in fact new heroes who had stepped up to fill the void in a world without an Avengers team. That is, until the rug was pulled out from under the audience, and the Thunderbolts were revealed to be an elaborate ruse to earn the world’s trust while covering for their villainy. It is that idea that can truly distinguish the T’bolts from the Suicide Squad, because it’s essentially a con job. And a movie based around a con job can allow the MCU to do a full-blown crime caper…with actual capes.

The heist movie is a familiar genre, and in the Ant-Man films, as well as Avengers: Endgame, we’ve definitely seen nods made to those types of films. But a crime caper where all the characters are criminals is far more intriguing, because there is more potential for shifting loyalties and double-crosses, as everyone’s morality is a little more murky. Captain America isn’t really going to abandon the Time Heist for Peggy Carter, for instance. But if one of the characters in a crime caper gets the opportunity to go for dolo and turn on their teammates, that character just might. And that adds another layer of uncertainty to the stakes.

Thinking about the film like a con/crime caper also helps us outline how the story might play out, as well as who the best fit for the Thunderbolts lineup would be, both in terms of MCU characters we’ve seen before, and who we might realistically see introduced in the film. Consider this as a loose blueprint for the Thunderbolts film.

The Con

In a world where the Avengers are currently disassembled, various players have a stake in getting a piece of The Next Big Thing in superheroics. With the Sokovia Accords still in effect, but public support for them somewhat on the wane, there is significant interest by the US government in having high profile superhero operatives who can do the PR work while also following deployment and stand down orders with minimal pushback.

Enter Project Thunderbolt. A fully government-sponsored team led by the decorated (but disgraced) super soldier John Walker, the US Agent, and assisted by a cadre of colorful new heroes, recruited through various means by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, a private off-the-books contractor with ties to several intelligence agencies. The Thunderbolts are provided with enough tech and logistical support to become America’s premier superhero team.

But in fact, the Thunderbolts are actually a plan by Helmut Zemo to use the government’s desire for an Avengers replacement to engineer his release, gain the public’s trust, and procure access to the Mother Lode, a top secret storage facility that contains the most advanced and powerful confiscated tech in the world, including a working copy of the Ultron AI.

The Characters

The Mastermind (Helmut Zemo aka Z) We’ve already seen his penchant for playing the long game in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. His disdain for superheroes, specifically powered individuals, is well-documented, as is his belief that the people are gullible and easily fooled. So would it be terribly shocking if he played up his Batmanesque penchant for contingencies in order to cook up a caper worthy of the prep time?

In the comics, Zemo chose “Citizen V,” a star-spangled fighter of fascists, as his cover identity, but that would be redundant with US Agent at the forefront of this Thunderbolts team. The Z persona, then, would be something slightly different, a swashbuckling international man of mystery who would evoke both Bond and Zorro, and allow him to get his Errol Flynn on.

But how would he get himself freed from international custody? Enter…

The Partner In Crime (Conrad Mack aka Smiling Tiger – new character): Every Danny Ocean needs a Rusty. DiCaprio in Inception needed a Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The Mastermind typically needs a swiss army knife, a character with all the skills to be the #1, but who is content to be the #2. But currently, there aren’t too many folks in the MCU who’d fit the bill. However, the aforementioned Disney Plus series introduced us to an associate of Zemo’s who is well-known in the Madripoor underworld scene, a flashy dresser, and somewhat resembles Sam Wilson, but little else beyond that. This provides a somewhat blank canvas for introducing a backstory, motivations, and the skill set the stories required.

A Black man with a cat motif is going to invite Black Panther comparisons, and I think that’s worth leaning into. He should absolutely pretend to be Wakandan, and interactions around that ruse could easily be played for comedic effect. However, none of that should undercut his core competency and ability to excel in a variety of situations. He pitches Zemo as the asset that Project Thunderbolt needs, because of his contacts and vast knowledge of the inner workings of Hydra and other networks.

The Antagonist (Henry Gyrich – new character): To be clear, Zemo’s scheme is nefarious. But one reason we might be willing to root for him is that it provides an opportunity to defeat an far less likable character. This is who Gyrich is, the government bureaucrat who loves the power that having a fiefdom affords him. And having superheroes that answer to him makes him even more loathsome. With Project Thunderbolt as his crowning achievement, Gyrich’s eventual discovery of its subversion by Zemo should be positioned as an tremendous humiliation for Gyrich, a takedown that the audience should absolutely be rooting for.

The Benefactor/Backer (Valentina Allegra De Fontaine): So far, we’ve been her as the go-between for her unnamed backers and both John Walker and Yelena Belova (more on them later). Her comics counterpart is an espionage operative on par with Nick Fury, so we can expect this character to have her finger in a lot of pies. And she’s more likable and charming than Gyrich. So far, Val seems unlikely to freelance, as opposed to standing in for the interests she represents. But that situation could change, and she, like a lot of spies, would ultimately serve her own interests. Val, then, wouldn’t be an antagonist per se, but she wouldn’t be a full ally either.

The Tech Specialist (Justin Hammer aka “HQ”): Be it a hacker, gadget guy, or man in the chair, every heist needs someone who can make the impossible possible through technological shenanigans, and Sam Rockwell’s Hammer stole scenes in Iron Man 2 with his charismatic performance. When we last saw him, he was in custody, but a role in the Thunderbolts as both their “Q” and their man in the chair (and occasionally, quasi-mission participant via remote piloted armor) can afford him the opportunity to secure his release and step into the “superhero mogul” void that Tony Stark left.

In reality, however, Hammer has been co-opted, and the tech he supplies to the T-Bolts has all been equipped with overrides controlled by Zemo, based on the promise of not only a substantial cut of their score, but access to the Ultron AI, which he believes he can improve upon, and one up Stark for all time.

The Femme Fatale (Yelena Belova aka “the White Widow”): Trained as a Black Widow assassin, Yelena not only has top notch skills in infiltration and diversion, but a master of weaponry and fight skills. And as the sister of a beloved Avenger, she has a built-in avenue to garner sympathy with the public, as the same “red in her ledger” narrative carries over.

But despite her ruthlessness, we’ve seen Yelena’s reluctance to behave strictly as a weapon. This would position her as a possible “change of heart” candidate, someone who could actually grow to enjoy the trappings of being a hero, despite her more cynical exchange with Natasha in Black Widow about not wanting to be celebrated as a killer. She’d be most likely to experience misgivings about her role in the con.

The Thief (Ava Starr, Ghost AKA “Silver Phantom”): On a team with multiple spies, Ghost might seem somewhat redundant, but being able to phase and become invisible makes her uniquely suited to perform side heists while the team is on a mission, as well as be the contingency plan if things go sideways. And her history of being a former SHIELD/Hydra operative means that her orientation tilts towards the morally grey.

Ava’s constant need for quantum energy made her somewhat easy for Smiling Tiger to co-opt, but it’s more so that she’s pretty cynical about who gets to be viewed as a hero, and who gets to be redeemed. The Silver Phantom persona allows her to reinvent herself as someone not cursed by her abilities, but gifted with them.

The Muscle (Emil Blonsky AKA “Agent Gamma” ): Formerly the Abomination, this super soldier turned Hulk nemesis has all the strength one would want. He’s morally compromised, yes, but he’d be willing to work with the government in exchange for some degree of freedom, even if his gamma issues make full freedom unlikely. Wearing a helmet that conceals his identity and outfitted with experimental tech that allows him to siphon off the gamma radiation coursing through him, Blonsky can temporarily maintain a more humanoid form (or even full human) before he goes full Code Green. The Agent Gamma persona gives him a heroic rebrand, and affords him the opportunity to capitalize on some of the goodwill Hulk and She-Hulk have been able to garner.

However, this guy doesn’t want to play nice with authority. Being locked up has embittered him, and as soon as he can get the opportunity to break bad, he will. Zemo has promised him the means to get completely free and start a new life somewhere he can’t be extradited from.

The Fixer (Toni Masters, Taskmaster AKA “Winter Soldier II” ): The cover story for Antonia Dreykov is that she was part of the Red Room’s continuation of the Winter Soldier project as Taskmaster, and after being freed by Yelena Belova, now she wants to do good in the world. The truth is actually more complicated. After being freed from her father’s control, Toni abandoned her surname and decided that she’d become the “Master” of her fate, choosing to live a hedonistic lifestyle funded by her ability to replicate any skill she sees, and sell her services to the highest bidder.

The role Taskmaster should play in the caper is the ability to mimic anyone’s mannerisms or skill set, and with her natural androgyny combined with potential false face tech, she should be able to step into anyone’s identity if need be. As for her susceptibility to fall in with Zemo’s scheme, she absolutely should be willing to go along with the con in service of a bigger payday.

The Inside Man (Rick Mason): A former SHIELD operative turned contractor, he has shown a propensity for acquiring whatever needs being acquired. So while he may not be an official member of the Thunderbolts, he would be an asset to the team.

Mason’s association with Natasha in defiance of The Sokovia Accords put him in a tough spot, as his business ventures were squeezed by the government in an attempt to draw her out. So really, he is working with the Thunderbolts because he has no choice, and if Zemo can promise him a better deal, he might just take it.

The Patsy (John Walker AKA the USAgent): For this con to work, Zemo needs to employ an unwitting ally, someone who is meant to be out in front, loud and flashy, to take attention from, while being oblivious to, the caper happening around him. And John Walker fits the bill. He’s a hothead, but he really wants to do good. He’s not averse to taking extreme measures, but he can still find righteousness in the cause. And so, given the opportunity to show that he can be just as inspiring a leader as Steve Rogers, he can be manipulated into thinking he’s modeling for his teammates a course towards redemption, and that he’s keeping Zemo on a short leash.

In reality, of course, Zemo is running Walker. His compliance tech, already subverted by Zemo. His leadership tactics, anticipated and steered towards Zemo’s contingency plans. His inspiration of his teammates, a way for those teammates to get close enough to gauge his suspicion, and relay what they find to Zemo. And when the day comes for the Big Job, there’s enough doctored evidence secretly planted to make it look like Walker was in on it all along.

THE COMPLICATION(S)

The Thunderbolts actually start to make a difference, saving lives and protecting the innocent, and that leads to each of them having misgivings about going through with the Big Job. Walker, as we all know, does want to redeem himself and for the most part wants to see these former villains redeem themselves as well. For Yelena in particular, she begins to understand better what her sister’s legacy was, and that it is a noble pursuit. For Ghost, having people actually see her, as well as look up to her, starts to gnaw at her conscience as well. Other characters have similar existential crises and conflicts.

Additionally, Val begins to suspect that something is afoot, and starts looking into things in order to report her findings to Gyrich. But thankfully, she and he aren’t 100% on the same page, and when it comes down to it, if she won’t benefit from exposing the con, she just might see how things play out.

THE CONCLUSION

I mean, it’s a con job, and it’s a superhero film. Some things go wrong when it’s time for our (anti)heroes to pull off the Big Job. There’s infighting and a betrayal or two. Ultron kind of gets rebooted, and they have to put their differences aside to save the world. The (anti)heroes win, and the heist is ultimately aborted it. Or is it?

Ultimately, the setup laid out above would make for an innovative and effective introduction of the Thunderbolts concept to a mass audience, while also providing a distinct enough throughline to stave off the Suicide Squad comparisons. The MCU loves to put its own spin on concepts from the comics, and I think that letting the audience know from the outset that there is a caper afoot still pays homage to Busiek’s original story, but sets up new trajectories for the characters involved that would be tremendously intriguing going forward.

June 20, 2022
THEORY: Wonder Man Will Make His MCU Debut in ‘Thunderbolts’

Wonder Man is coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his arrival might be a lot sooner than expected. The Hollywood Reporter revealed on Thursday that Community writer Andrew Guest and Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton will team up to give Simon Williams his own series on Disney+. Cameras are reportedly set to begin rolling in 2023, meaning fans can likely expect the character to make his live-action debut sometime in the following year. Although, should Marvel be inclined to have a little fun with the character’s origin, it’s possible audiences actually see Wonder Man in theaters by the end of next year.

Early reports indicate the Wonder Man series will focus on his well-known career in Hollywood, an aspect of the character that has been a staple since it was introduced in the early 1980’s. At the time, after years of internal conflict and uncertainty about his future, Williams took his talents to Los Angeles and began an acting career, becoming known for performing dangerous stunts that only his invulnerable body could withstand. Despite this intriguing turn of events, however, Wonder Man has decades of material to work with pre-Hollywood. The character has existed since 1964, when he was introduced in The Avengers #9 as a new member of the Masters of Evil.

Before he was a hero, Williams was the son of industrialist Sanford Williams, a rival of the world-famous Tony Stark. After his father’s death, Simon is outmatched by Stark and fears he’ll lose his family’s business, an anxiety that results in an ill-advised embezzlement scheme brought on by his villainous brother, Eric (a.k.a. the Grim Reaper). As it goes, Williams is caught, and is sent to prison with a hatred for Stark and his “bodyguard” Iron Man. Seeing an opportunity, Baron Zemo and the Enchantress, the two leading members of the Masters of Evil, spring Williams and offer him a deal – they turn him into a being with enough power to vanquish Stark and the Avengers, and he saves his company and gets revenge on the man who wronged him. Williams accepts, and an experimental procedure turns him into the ion-fueled superbeing known as Wonder Man.

Of course, Williams quickly sees the wrong in this and reforms, but the brief antagonistic period of his life is perhaps among his most compelling eras. It would be a shame for the MCU to skip over this origin and jump straight to his days on the big screen. Luckily, a major project announced just days ago could very well be hiding its own Wonderous secret that allows for Simon’s story to be told in full. Thunderbolts, a film based on the team of supervillains who masquerade as heroes, was announced as being in development last Thursday by Variety. This is relevant to the Wonder Man conversation for one big, charming, fan-favorite reason: Baron Helmut Zemo, bad guy extraordinaire.

As previously mentioned, Zemo played a big role in the creation of Wonder Man. He was the man responsible for the whole ion-human ordeal, and decades later, he would also be the person responsible for founding the anti-heroic Thunderbolts. It’s expected that Daniel Bruhl will reprise his role as the MCU’s take on Zemo in Thunderbolts, potentially leading a team comprised of members recruited by Julia Louis-Dreyfus‘ Contessa Val over the course of multiple Phase Four projects. The names linked to the Thunderbolts thus far give away a possible link to another team of Marvel characters assembled in the late 2000s, known as the Dark Avengers. That group, formed by Norman Osborn, was also a team of supervillains pretending to be good guys, but had each member take over the mantle of a pre-existing Avenger. For example, Venom took on the Spider-Man role while Bullseye wore Hawkeye’s classic costume. With Florence Pugh‘s Black Widow and Wyatt Russell‘s U.S. Agent already on the payroll, it seems completely believable that the MCU’s Thunderbolts might be some kind of amalgamation of the original comic book team and the Dark Avengers concept.

Running through the potential roster, the MCU Thunderbolts already have their own Captain America and Black Widow, a Hulk in Tim Roth‘s Abomination, and probably even a Vision replacement with Hannah John-Kamen‘s Ghost. Regardless of all this, they lack an equivalent to the most powerful current Avenger, Brie Larson‘s Captain Marvel. In the same way the Masters of Evil once had Simon Williams infiltrate the Avengers with malicious intent, the MCU could have Zemo and Val offering a disgruntled Williams the chance to shine by succumbing to a new, experimental procedure that might turn him into Captain Marvel’s equal. In case anyone is confused at this point, the suggestion here is that audiences may very well see Wonder Man’s origin play out in Thunderbolts before he makes the jump to his own spin-off series.

The timing of the two projects’ filming lines up well enough. It’s not confirmed when Thunderbolts will start production, but if Jake Schreier‘s project starts filming in Summer 2023, it would be on track for a mid-2024 release. As is often the case, the turn-around time on television projects tends to be quicker than with film, so if Wonder Man also begins filming around this date, or even slightly after, it could work out that the latter releases just after Thunderbolts and acts as a direct spin-off. The two could even film in tandem, as a way to more effectively utilize the time of some very busy leads like Bruhl and Pugh.

This could also be a way for Marvel to include more characters from its larger repertoire. Wonder Man’s comic origin heavily features the original Enchantress, and if Marvel Studios wanted to follow suit, they could bring Sophia Di Martino‘s Sylvie into the fold as the Thunderbolts’ Asgardian representative. On top of this, Wonder Man will almost certainly feature Eric Williams in a supporting role, and the baddie brother of the Williams family could pop up alongside Simon in Thunderbolts initially, before terrorizing the world as Grim Reaper later. Maybe it’s an encounter with Zemo or Val in Thunderbolts that gets those Villainous wheels turning in the first place. Either way, the potential for an easy, world-building crossover is there, and it seems too good for Marvel Studios not to capitalize on while the getting is good.

Special shoutout to Maggie from Collider for helping to build out this theory!

June 17, 2022
How ‘Thunderbolts’ Could Setup MCU’s ‘Dark Reign’

With the official announcement of a Thunderbolts film in the upcoming film slate of Marvel Studios, many have begun to theorize how both the film and the team will fit into the developing landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Though after some time reflecting on the news, it seems possible that Thunderbolts will not simply just “fit into” the landscape of the MCU, but rather become a critical lynchpin for the narrative direction of many franchises within the shared universe.

From my perspective, Thunderbolts will be the coup de grace in ushering in an interpretation of the comic-inspired Dark Reign storyline to the film version of Earth-616. In this piece, I will be mapping out the road that hypothetically leads to the formation of this massive status quo change, how the team can function in the midst, and the catalyst of their downfall.

Origins

This part of the MCU storyline is the easiest to trace as it has already begun. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has very much been positioned to become the figurehead of this new arc. This is especially the case with the passing of Thaddeus Ross’ actor William Hurt and the impossibility to have Norman Osborn exist outside the Spider-Man bubble of the MCU. As seen in Black Widow and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Val is in the midst of forming partnerships with characters that have morally gray allegiances in Yelena Belova, John Walker, and (potentially) Helmut Zemo. Logic greatly dictates that these are the first steps towards the formation of the Thunderbolts team, and is seemingly all but confirmed with the film announcement earlier this week.

Audiences should absolutely expect to see Louis-Dreyfus back in the numerous Marvel Studios projects throughout 2022. Ms. Marvel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and especially She-Hulk (a superhero legal-based series that is bound to have ample amounts of morally gray characters) feel like natural points for where Val could show up next. One specific concept in my mind is Julia Louis-Dreyfus making a surprise appearance in a Thor: Love and Thunder post-credit scene to recruit a scorned Ares after the decimation of Olympus at the hands of Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher. While Val can certainly be involved in recruiting more characters beyond 2022, there needs to be a turning point for this storyline at some point and there is a natural point at which this can occur.

The Catalyst

The MCU has often made major alterations to their interpretations of comic storylines but ultimately kept similar ramifications to the future of their stories. With that in mind, Marvel Studios has the perfect opportunity to use the upcoming Secret Invasion as a means to launch their version of a Dark Reign like the comics. No matter what direction Marvel takes with this series, it would be a logical decision for it to end with Val and her fully actualized team of “approved” heroes taking the place of Norman Osborn in the comics and being the ones who very publicly eradicate the threat of Skrulls.

This event can serve a two-fold purpose for the immediate future of the MCU. Firstly, Secret Invasion could very well be seen as the last straw for the world as its citizens have had to deal with growing dangerous threats to their lives since “The Blip” and have officially turned on the superheroes that have saved them many times before on a large-scale level. Secondly, people within positions of power would only trust and allow the government-sanctioned Thunderbolts team to regulate the issues that arise on Earth.

The Dark Reign

And from there, the MCU version of the Dark Reign can commence and could play a major role in a large swath of future projects. The Thunderbolts team can and should be present in different forms in essentially any project-based predominantly on Earth. For instance, the Thunderbolts should be the main opposition for the Hulk(s) on Earth within the World War Hulk film rumored to be in development (assuming it takes those cues from the comic event).

As well, they should serve as a foil for whatever political espionage mission Anthony Mackie’s upcoming Captain America film. Essentially, the new status quo for pure heroes post-Secret Invasion should be dealing with their ostracization from societal acceptance and working towards proving the trust they should deserve from the general public.

Another angle I would further develop in this Dark Reign is the bureaucratic mission to prevent young heroes from becoming active in the world as has been developed in the likes Spider-Man: No Way Home and Ms. Marvel. This would set the stage for the Young Avengers to form as a counter-response towards the world generally losing faith in the Avengers team that has been instrumental in saving the world numerous times.

Meanwhile, the Thunderbolts film can serve as an exploration of the core team of reformed villains as they deal with the very public spotlight attached to them and how they react to it. Some fully buy into the Kool-Aid of their role as heroes, while others grow skeptical that what they’re doing is actually the “right thing”. There is certainly lots of room to play with this type of social commentary through the lens of bombastic superhero action within the MCU, both in the film itself and in the duration of this phase of the MCU.

Endtimes

However, this storyline won’t last forever as the status quo and much like the comics, a new Heroic Age can rise in its aftermath. In terms of how Marvel Studios should sunset Dark Reign, I would use the formation of a new official Avengers team and film (not to be confused with the Young Avengers) as the means to end this phase. Specifically, the Siege comic storyline should be adapted with Val completely breaking bad and using her influence and team to begin an attempted conquest of places that serve as “threats” to the safety of the rest of the world (i.e. New Asgard, Wakanda, and Ta Lo).

At this point, the world needs the Avengers and their reuniting with a fresh line-up could serve as a massive event that would be satisfying both emotionally and commercially. From there, the stage can be set with an Avengers team leading the charge in whatever the endgame of the multiverse saga will be within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As well, the Thunderbolts team could still exist within the framework of the MCU as a place for villains and anti-heroes looking to reform their image, but this time without the baggage of being a front for Valentina’s nefarious scheme.

In addition, the idea of a prejudiced world against super-powered individuals can still ruminate beyond the end of Dark Reign and into the introduction of mutants in the not-too-distant future. Ultimately though, no matter what specific direction they take when it comes to Thunderbolts and its surrounding future projects, the stage is set for Marvel Studios to transition its universe into a new long-term dynamic that can be as defining as the Infinity Saga.

June 13, 2022
The History and Future of The Thunderbolts

Justice like lightning is coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Having been set up for years and rumored for even longer, a Thunderbolts film has been given the green light, with Jake Schreier directing from a script by Black Widow writer Eric Pearson. Thunderbolts will certainly be an ambitious team-up film, with (apparently) Julia Louis-Dreyfus‘ Val bringing together a group of disparate characters who she’s been collecting over the years.

As with all things MCU, the project won’t be a straight adaptation of any certain storyline, but will more likely focus on the dynamic of forging a team made of people of questionable character. In the comics, the roster of the Thunderbolts has frequently rotated members in and out and been remade multiple times. Many of the characters who might be thought of as “core” members don’t even exist in the MCU at this time. But to get a handle on what the team might get up to, regardless of who is on it.

Origins

The Thunderbolts first appeared in 1996 in Peter David’s Incredible Hulk #449, though the team was created by legendary writer Kurt Busiek. Marvel Comics launched the first volume of Thunderbolts a few months later in early 1997, with Busiek writing. Busiek pitched the Thunderbolts to Marvel Comics following the line-wide Onslaught event that saw the “death” of nearly all of Marvel’s heroes. In the absence of those heroes, Busiek envisioned a team stepping into fill the void, but with one twist: the team is actually the Masters of Evil, led by Baron Zemo, in disguise.

https://twitter.com/KurtBusiek/status/1000128046903406592

The original lineup consisted of Atlas (Erik Josten), Citizen V (Zemo), Mach-1 (Abner Jenkins), Meteorite (Karla Sofen), Songbird (Melissa Gold) and Techno (Norbert Ebersol). Contrary to a popular misconception, the original team had no association with General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, but rather was named by Zemo who found the moniker “crypto-fascist but friendly”, though the in-continuity public was told the name was inspired by a couple of lines from a poem by 17th-century writer Thomas Randolph:

“Justice, like lightning ever should appear / To few men ruin, but to all men fear.”

Ironically, Busiek lifted the lines from an earlier issue of Captain Marvel and it turns out it’s not exactly clear if they were written by Randolph or not; however, “Justice like lightning” became the team’s slogan and has stuck with most iterations of the team over the last 20+ years.

Thunderbolts Annual (1997) #1

Evolutions

As you might imagine, Zemo’s ruse was exposed and the team became fugitives, went on the run and eventually ended up in Colorado, a place that would go on to become well-associated with the team a decade later when they set their base on Thunderbolts Mountain near Coyote Springs. Of course, the team that occupied that base was a much different one from “the original.

As Zemo’s team was on the run, a few new members joined the roster, including former Avenger Hawkeye. This group, known as Marvel’s Most Wanted, was convinced by Hawkeye that they’d be pardoned for their crimes if they turned themselves in. Unfortunately for them, that didn’t work out and many of them found themselves imprisoned for their past crimes. Eventually, however, many members of the team did reform and went on to perform some truly heroic deeds, including Zemo saving Captain America.

Many iterations of the team came and went over the years (most including Zemo), but the Thunderbolts regained popularity when Warren Ellis took over the book and introduced a new team under the control of Norman Osborn. The team of villains was ultimately viewed as heroes after the events of Secret Invasion. Ellis’ run was short-lived and, eventually after several writers moved on and off the book, Jeff Parker took over that title and the team became the Dark Avengers. Following the Siege event, Luke Cage was appointed leader of the T-Bolts by Captain America; during the Marvel NOW! line-wide relaunch, General Thunderbolt Ross, who was then the Red Hulk, assembled a new team; Bucky Barnes, the Punisher and, most recently, the Kingpin, also assembled their own Thunderbolts teams.

While the names changed, most of the teams had one thing in common over the years: they consisted of a group of villains out to “do some good” while being “handled” by a hero or two. In that regard, they could be compared to DC’s The Suicide Squad, but it would be an oversimplification to conflate the two teams.

The MCU

With so many of the major players associated with the Thunderbolts over the years not present in the MCU, it should be obvious that the team fans get won’t be lifted off the page. What does seem possible, maybe even probable, however, is that the team being assembled in the MCU under the control of Val, might find itself in the midst of some sort of line-wide MCU event and have to step in to deliver justice like lightning and save the day, even if they are morally questionable.

It’s also very likely that the name of the team is an homage to Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross, played by the late William Hurt. It’s hard to imagine the MCU recasting Hurt, who passed away in March of 2022. Rather, it seems likely that they’ll write Ross’s death into an upcoming project and the team will be named in honor of a man who fought like hell to see heroes under the control of the government. So who is Val ultimately working with? And who else will join the team? Phase 4 has a lot to do to answer those questions.

June 10, 2022
Jake Schreier to Direct Marvel Studios ‘Thunderbolts’, Shoots Next Summer

It has long been rumored that Marvel Studios was looking to make a Thunderbolts movie, and now, it appears the movie has taken one step closer to becoming a reality. Per Deadline, Marvel Studios has hired Jake Schreier to direct the film. He’ll direct from a script by Black Widow writer Eric Pearson. The trade report confirms an earlier report from KC Walsh that Thunderbolts was in development.

Schreier is mainly known for his music video work, having directed videos for the likes of Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar. Outside of music videos, he has work on television shows such as Kidding and Netflix’s Beef, which will star Steven Yeun and Ali Wong.

According to the trade report, the studio is eyeing a summer 2023 start of production and starting to line up its roster for the film. In the comics, the Thunderbolts have seen a shifting roster that has seen villains posing as heroes, villains forced to work for the government and, more recently a group of heroes adopting the name. The original team debuted during the mid-90s when Baron Zemo and a group of villains disguised themselves as heroes when many of Earth’s mightiest were “killed” by Onslaught. Zemo would seemingly be very much in play for the MCU team, which could already under construction with Julia Louis-Dreyfuss’ Val as the mastermind. She already has Yelena Belova and John Walker under her thumb and will be looking to add another member to her team in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

With a Summer 2023 start of filming, it’s likely that Thunderbolts could end up as part of Marvel Studios 2024 slate. The studio has unannounced films scheduled for February 16th, May 3rd, July 26th and November 8th of that year.

June 9, 2022
REPORT: ‘THUNDERBOLTS’ Project Is Going Ahead at Marvel Studios

It’s been rumored for a long time, and now it appears it could be true. A new report from The GWW indicates that Marvel Studios is moving forward with a film centered around the Thunderbolts. The team has had a few iterations in the comics, starting as a group of villains disguised as heroes and transitioning into a group of reformed supervillains working for the United States government. It would appear the project is taking a similar route to the latter, with teases having been placed in prior projects such as Black Widow and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. It’s likely this is the team to which Julia Louis-Dreyfus‘s Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has recruited the likes of Wyatt Russell‘s U.S. Agent and Florence Pugh‘s Yelena Belova. It’s likely that the teases will continue, with Belova herself set to appear in this winter’s Hawkeye series on Disney Plus.

Also of note, the same report from The GWW claims that 2023 will mark the beginning of multiple potential new MCU projects. Titles the site includes in its list are Nova, the Okoye series, and Marvel Studios’ much-anticipated Fantastic Four reboot. The GWW concludes by revealing they have information on yet another secret project they hope to reveal sooner than later. If true, it would mean that the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is only just beginning. A new wave of heroes and super-teams is on the horizon.

Source: The GWW

October 27, 2021
Theorizing MARVEL STUDIOS’ Interconnected Storylines

It’s been a little over three months since Marvel Studios properly kicked off its Phase 4. Both WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier are now behind us, two shows that gave us but a glimpse of what is in store in the coming years in terms of the interconnectivity between the different IPs that make up the MCU. This is something Kevin Feige himself made extremely clear this past December, during the Disney Investor Day 2020:

The Cinematic Universe weaves storylines of heroes and villains across twenty-three feature films to date, and with Disney+ we’re able to extend this way of storytelling to a new format, creating series that are connected to our theatrical releases making the MCU more immersive than ever.

As for WandaVision, it managed to bring together characters from properties that seemed somewhat foreign to its titular characters (bringing them in from Thor, Captain Marvel, and Ant-Man). The Falcon and The Winter Soldier did almost the exact opposite. It grabbed most of its main characters from the same feature (Captain America: Civil War) and continued their arcs in a way that seems to hint at them diverging into several other (new) IPs. The common ground between both approaches seems quite simple: when the story asks for it, characters will come and go from whatever property that needs them to. With this in mind, and with the number of projects Marvel Studios has already announced, it’s hard to not try and envision some of the paths the stories these characters might take us on.

The existing connective tissue between properties is stronger with some than with others, even though Marvel Studios will always end up surprising us one way or another. But most of the more realistic theorizing (if there even is such a thing), taking into account the information that has already come out regarding casts, plots, and so on, seems to hint at a clear/not clear separation between what are the military-powered, skill-driven heroes and the more mystic and cosmic side of the MCU. So being, we’ll now focus on the first of these two groups.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier seems to be at the heart of the stories we might end up exploring on this side of the spectrum. With Karli Morgenthau being one of the few main characters to have (apparently) died, all the others are now ready to move on, each doing their own thing. With Sam Wilson as Captain America, he seems like a given to star in the upcoming fourth installment of the Captain America series. As for Bucky Barnes, with a Nomad series apparently in development, Barnes seems like a perfect fit. As for James “War Machine” Rhodes, he might now become the direct link to Iron Man’s legacy Riri Williams comes into contact with in Ironheart, before both move into Armor Wars, where they could be met by Sharon Carter in her newfound MCU role. Black Widow will introduce us to Yelena Belova who can seamlessly move on to Hawkeye (even if just to attend a memorial service), where Echo will be show up before staring in her own show.

Shifting our attention to the other side of the diagram, we find several connections between shows that have already been confirmed. Monica Rambeau will be back in the franchise where she was first introduced, where she will be met by Kamala Khan who will have already been introduced in the Ms. Marvel series. Both might be met in The Marvels by Talos, who will also have a role to play in the upcoming Secret Invasion alongside Nick Fury. As to Wanda Maximoff, now the Scarlet Witch, she is certain to continue her story in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness which may become the epicenter of every upcoming property dealing with the Multiverse. Loki and Spider-Man: Far From Home seem like projects that are likely to have strong connections to the second Doctor Strange feature for obvious plot reasons, at the same time as they connect through other storylines to yet another set of properties. With the information coming out of Loki that Gugu Mbatha-Raw will be playing Judge Renslayer (meaning that almost certainly that makes her Ravonna Renslayer) it becomes highly likely that Kang will make an appearance, ahead of his already highlighted presence in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, played by the brilliant Jonathan Majors.

These stories alone are certain to keep Marvel gaining momentum for years to come, but what seems to be the endgame here? Establishing new properties where characters from all over manage to meet for the first time, bringing together story threads from all sides of the MCU, certainly seems like a possibility. Projects that haven’t been announced as that might somewhat spoil the plots leading up to them. It should be no coincidence that a number of upcoming projects will seamlessly allow for the introduction of Young Avengers members, much like WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier managed to do with Tommy and Billy Maximoff, and Eli Bradley, respectively. Kate Bishop is already confirmed to be debuting in Hawkeye, and the rest of the team will probably soon follow, with Teddy perhaps being introduced in Secret Invasion, America Chavez in Doctor Strange 2, and Cassie Lang returning, as Stature, in Quantumania. Therefore, a Young Avengers series/movie should definitively be in the works bringing together their individual storylines. Another team being put together, even though a much different one, should be the focus of the Thunderbolts. With Baron Zemo and Abomination brought back, Taskmaster (the mantle) surviving Black Widow, and with Ghost still alive after Ant-Man and the Wasp, there is no reason for it not to be in the cards. Another feature that could serve as a continuation to John Walker’s story, maybe even bringing Yelena into the mix, and perhaps managing to dig up an Osborn to lead them, is The Dark Avengers. Marvel Studios knows that they can’t top the Avengers team they built up until Avengers: Endgame, so this focus on alternate teams, some of dubious character, would certainly be welcomed as a great change of pace.

There are a few projects that have already been announced that played no part in this theory. For all I know they might end up becoming the most crucial chapters of the MCU going forward. The Fantastic Four, due to their relevance, or the Eternals, due to their scope, certainly have that ability. But for now, this is it. Maybe in a couple of months, the script will be flipped and a new article will be in the works.

May 4, 2021
Phase 4 Theory: The Thunderbolts Initiative
“I found something 40 years in the army never taught me: Perspective.”

-Secretary Ross

This quote is particularly importan for where the Marvel Cinematic Universe heads to in the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame. Not necessarily because it’s a cryptic line that could potentially set up the things Secretary Ross has been doing in the shadow of the MCU for many years, but because it’s really telling of how Marvel Studios operates in terms of storytelling. When you think about it, it’s always about keeping a “perspective” in the belief that all their individual stories eventually condense and fit into the structure of a larger plot. So, in their own way, Marvel Studios tells their stories exactly as the comics would even if the beats differ. They have their own individual characters with their own individual stories which then set up elements and plot points that will eventually interweave with other characters in a larger event. Now that the “The Infinity Saga” concluded back in 2019, many fans are left to wonder exactly how Marvel Studios will move forward heading into Phase 4 and Phase 5 in terms of the stories they’ll tell next, and we believe that the answer actually dates all the way back to 2008. You remember 2008, right? It is when a little-known Marvel Studios introduced the MCU with Iron Man.

Now, the first film of the MCU’s Phase 4 is Black Widow, and while the film might be chronologically set in the “Infinity Saga Timeline”, we must acknowledge that this film will be hoping to accomplish the equivalent of what Iron Man did back in 2008. This film will kick off a brand-new story that will eventually build up towards a larger plot down the line. I have reason to believe that Black Widow will set the seeds for the possible introduction of the Thunderbolts in the MCU the same way Iron Man set the seeds for the Avengers Initiative all the way back in 2008. Before I get into that discussion, let’s delve into some background info.

“Who are the Thunderbolts?”

In the comics, the best way to describe the Thunderbolts is essentially a group of “reformed villains with the best intentions”. Think Marvel’s Suicide Squad, and General Ross is their Amanda Waller. Don’t get it twisted: there have been heroes that have been a part of the Thunderbolts (i.e. Hawkeye, Luke Cage, Elektra), but the members of this infamous group have been mostly villains. Now there have been different groups with the same mantle but they have had different leaders (most notably; Baron Zemo, Norman Osborn and Red Hulk).

With the Avengers sort of disbanded following Avengers: Endgame, there might be some who may want to capitalize on the opportunity to become the next enhanced superteam. So now that you have a basic understanding of who and what the Thunderbolts are…

“Let’s discuss the Thunderbolts Initiative”

There are many possible teams inside Marvel Comics lore that could “replace” the Avengers in the MCU but, right now, the Thunderbolts seem like the most plausible choice as the next superteam to take center stage, mainly because some of its seeds have already been planted way back in 2016.

“Enter Secretary THUNDERBOLT Ross”

Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross was brought back into the MCU in 2016 after his last appearance in The Incredible Hulk back in 2008. During his absence, he became the Secretary of State and has served as a sort of secondary antagonist in Captain America: Civil War. I, for one, don’t necessarily believe in coincidences, especially when it comes to Marvel movies. Nearly everything Marvel Studios does in their films, whether it’s the introduction of a new character, an easter egg, or something as subtle as a name drop, has a payoff in some way or form. Now sometimes, that payoff can come in the short-term or it can be long-term. Secretary Ross’s recent appearances in the MCU, and especially his upcoming role in Black Widow, seems like it could be one of these long-term payoffs.

Now, don’t be fooled. Just because Thaddeus’ nickname is “Thunderbolt” and he led the Thunderbolts at one point in the comics, it doesn’t mean that that’s where the Thunderbolts got their name. (In comic lore, the group received their name from Baron Zemo, who organized the first Thunderbolts). Though ironically enough, given his position of power as Secretary of State & with the Avengers out of the way, I could see Secretary Ross capitalizing on the opportunity and he could very well become the “Nick Fury” for this new phase of the MCU, mainly organizing/running the Thunderbolts from a position of power. Who could become a part of these Thunderbolts?

Well, I have a list of possible candidates

:

“CANDIDATE #1: TASKMASTER”

With his introduction coming up in the upcoming Black Widow movie, Taskmaster could potentially be a viable candidate to join the Thunderbolts. His comic counterpart has an interesting ability, which is he possess a photographic memory and reflexes, where he’s able to duplicate nearly any physical act he sees after seeing it done by someone else only once. Based on what we’ve seen from the trailers, he may very well possess this ability, where he imitated the movements from Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America with his shield, and Hawkeye with his bow and arrow. Someone with this ability, in my view, is far too interesting of a character simply write as a one-off, so I’m willing to bet that Taskmaster may continue in the MCU following his appearance in Black Widow.

“CANDIDATE #2: BLACK WIDOW (YELENA BELOVA)”

Also being introduced in the upcoming Black Widow movie is none other than fellow Black Widow, and Natasha’s sister, Yelena Belova. While in the trailers we’re shown a sort of sibling bond/rivalry between the two, Yelena has served her time as an antagonist to Natasha and the Avengers in the comics: we have witnessed her joining forces with the likes of AIM and even being in the ranks of the Thunderbolts. Now, Yelena’s fate in this film is something I have previously discussed here on Murphy’s Multiverse (POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN THAT ARTICLE SO BEWARE), but ultimately, considering that this film is supposed to be a passing of the torch from Natasha to Yelena, I could see Yelena being a part of the Thunderbolts down the line following her debut in Black Widow.

“CANDIDATE #3: BARON ZEMO”

What team would be complete without a leader? And who better to lead the Thunderbolts than the man who single-handedly manipulated the Avengers into their disbandment in Civil War? Baron Zemo is a well-trained soldier and a dastardly mastermind with an incredible “will and patience”. His upcoming appearance in the Disney+ show; The Falcon and The Winter Soldier could set up Zemo to eventually gather the attention of Secretary Ross and have him work under the radar as the leader of the Thunderbolts, similar to how Zemo operated in the comics with the original Thunderbolts. It wouldn’t be a surprise to me for Zemo to take up this role and join the Thunderbolts in this fashion.

“CANDIDATE #4: GHOST”

Introduced as one of the antagonists in Ant-Man and the Wasp, Ghost is an interesting character with an interesting background. Her powers of quantum intangibility were a result of a Quantum accident involving her parents, which resulted in their deaths. Since being adopted by Bill Foster, S.H.I.E.L.D. had taken advantage of Ava and her powers, training her as a stealth operative that would carry out covert missions on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D. prior to their fall in 2014. Since then, she’s been presumably in hiding until 2018 when the events of Ant-Man and the Wasp took place, where she was forced into hiding once again after those events. We don’t necessarily know what happened to Ava following Avengers: Infinity War (2018) & Avengers: Endgame (2019). If Ghost was snapped, then she would probably still be alive and in the state where she left when the snap occurred. If she wasn’t, then she wouldn’t have received her quantum healing molecules that helped keep her stable since Ant-Man was trapped in the Quantum Realm for five years and everyone else was snapped. That might be a cause for concern since she might believe that everyone abandoned her again, and this might push her to the becoming a villain once more.

HOWEVER, in an interview, Hannah John-Kamen (the actress) had mentioned “that Ghost didn’t die” and that we could see her again in the MCU. If I had to bet, we could probably see Ghost return as a member of the Thunderbolts.

“CANDIDATE #5: ABOMINATION”

Remember Emil Blonsky from The Incredible Hulk? Well, last time we heard from The Abomination was in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., where Agent Coulson casually mentioned that Blosnky was in a cryo-cell in Alaska at a secret facility known as The Vault: this facility was under “then-General, now-Secretary” Ross’ supervision, as explained by Coulson in Marvel’s One Shot: “The Consultant”. The World Security Council, along with General Ross, had even considered putting Abomination on the Avengers Initiative program before Agents Coulson & Sitwell, along with Stark, forced Ross to disagree with the decision and keep Blonsky in cryo-sleep.

Now this detail is really important because if Ross wanted to have Blonsky be a part of the Avengers, his “new perspective” could be to eventually develop his own Avengers-esque team, starting with Emil Blonsky. Back then, the Avengers themselves stood in the way of his plan, but by having the Avengers out of the way, his plan can now come full-circle.

“CANDIDATE #6: JUSTIN HAMMER”

We all remember Sam Rockwell’s interpretation of Justin Hammer from Iron Man 2 (2010). He was one of my favorite things about the film. The quirkiness, the smugness, the many ways he tried to imitate Tony Stark. The last time we saw him was at Seagate Prison during the Marvel One-Shot: All Hail the King. Now, the reason why I mention him is that he is essentially the anti-Tony Stark and he actually had a connection with “then-General” Ross. Since Tony Stark is dead following the events of Avengers: Endgame, one might assume that Ross might pull some strings to get Hammer Industries to work in developing weapons for the Thunderbolts.

Plus, Sam Rockwell had actually shown interest in reprising his role as Justin Hammer last year during a Reddit AMA.

“CANDIDATE #7: SONGBIRD”

Melissa Gold aka Songbird has yet to be introduced into the MCU. However, our very own Charles Murphy had actually made a “Connecting Imaginary Dots” article where we can see from some interesting set photos from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and we ALSO see a character donning a purple mohawk, similar to what Songbird dons in the comics. That article does a really good job in describing who/what Songbird is, but the most important thing we need to know about her is she has “acoustikinetic abilities” (she can use her vocals to generate her powers) and she has an interesting relationship to both the Thunderbolts and Baron Zemo.

“WHY THESE CHARACTERS AND WHY NOW?”

Like I said earlier, nothing Marvel does is done by pure coincidence. All of these characters, in some shape or form, have been a part of the Thunderbolts. And with potentially 5 of these characters already having a major presence in both the Black Widow movie and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Disney+ show, the chances of something bigger being developed are certainly high.

Besides, following the events of Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home and considering that:
- Tony Stark aka Iron Man is dead.
- Steve Rogers passed the mantle of Captain America on to Sam Wilson aka Falcon.
- Thor is now off-world with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
- Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow is dead.
- Bruce Banner is seemingly out of commission due to his snap.
- Hawkeye is with his family.
- Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes are both still wanted criminals by the Sokovia Accords.
- Spider-Man has been branded a criminal.
The world might no longer trust the Avengers, but the world also recognizes that there will always be threats that normal law enforcement alone will not be able to stop. So, by the time Phase 4 kicks into high gear, it might be time to introduce a new team of “heroes” to the MCU. And who better than some of Marvel’s best villains?
September 3, 2020
10 “Fox” Characters Marvel Studios Can Turn Into Gold

With the acquisition of 21st Century Fox last year, Disney saw an already incredible stable of Marvel characters grow even more impressive. While we are all excited for Dr. Doom, Magneto, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, there are hundreds of lesser known characters waiting in the wings for their first shot on the silver screen. Let’s take a look at 10 of them that could shine in the MCU.

Blastaar

When you think of the Negative Zone, it’s understandable that Annihilus comes to mind first. We’ll certainly see Annihilus and the Negative Zone at some point and, when we do, Blastaar had better be there, too. First appearing in Fantastic Four #62, the brutal Baluurian warlord has a ton of potential as a possible entry-level threat from the Negative Zone and an ongoing presence that presents himself as a thorn in the side of the Living Death that Walks (that’s Annihilus to you and me, kids). Blastaar saw a major resurgence beginning with 2006’s Annihilation and played a major role in some big cosmic stories over the next several years. The Living Bomb-Burst could be an MCU mainstay and help sell a lot of toys as well.

Diablo

Though he first appeared in Fantastic Four #30, Esteban Corazon de Ablo (get it, de Ablo/Diablo?!) is a character who could show up in any number of other properties and cause some chaos. Despite having been notoriously named by Stan Lee as the one character he regretted creating (Stan couldn’t remember why he even created him in the first place), the ancient alchemist could pop up just about anywhere throughout history and his history with the vampires of the Marvel Universe could make him an interesting choice when they come flying into the MCU. His true chance to shine, though, might be as part of Mephisto’s Legion Accursed or the Masters of Evil where he can team up with some other truly disturbed minds, some of which are found on this list as well.

Dragon Man

What can you say about Dragon Man that hasn’t already been said…honestly, quite a bit because I’m not sure too many people know he exists. Originally an android foe of the Fantastic Four after being manipulated by the aforementioned Diablo, Dragon Man’s recent reformation allowed him to be a part of the Future Foundation where he worked as a guide the next generation of geniuses. He also served some time as the X-Men’s team mascot and developed a crush on Jean Grey, but it’s his newly formed relationship with the Richards’ children and their friends that could give him the chance to shine in the MCU.

The Fallen One (and all the other Heralds of Galactus)

As I’ve written in the past, for the Silver Surfer and Galactus to work in the MCU, they’re going to require a very different sort of introduction. Galactus deserves more than a one-off appearance and the Surfer could easily carry his own trilogy; the one character that could serves as the connective tissue between the two is The Fallen One, the first herald of Galactus. The Fallen One first appeared in 2004’s Thanos #11 ahead of a fairly large role in the Annihilation event and instantly changed everything we thought we knew about the Devourer. The Fallen One represent everything the Silver Surfer is not and his sprinkling in his story throughout the shared origin story of Galactus and the Surfer would plant the seed required for him to show up in a solo Surfer film alongside some of the other heralds. If you’ve read my Nova features, you already know how heralds like Air-Walker and Firelord could find their way into the MCU but if we’re going to go the route of working through a few heralds, we better see Terrax show up as well.

H.E.R.B.I.E.

The biggest no brainer on the list is H.E.R.B.I.E. Reed Richards’ Humanoid Experimental Robot, B-type, Integrated Electronics (that’s worse than S.H.I.E.L.D., right?) first appeared in the 1978 animated The Fantastic Four as a replacement for Johnny Storm before making his way into the comics the following year. Originally a sleeper agent for some ridiculous evil forces, H.E.R.B.I.E. eventually (on like his third or fourth or twentieth body) found his role in the Baxter Building. This one is all about two things: the comic relief of blowing him up and building him again (see C-3PO) and selling toys. There’s a chance we won’t see H.E.R.B.I.E. when the First Family lands in the MCU, but I wouldn’t bet against the little guy, especially not if we see a Future Foundation streaming series on Disney Plus.

The Mad Thinker (and Awesome Andy!)

The Mad Thinker’s fascination with probability, his 99.9% recall rate and his mechanical genius make him an interesting yet overmatched foe of the Fantastic Four. Like others on the list, he’s more well-suited to teaming up (hello Puppet Master or maybe a different version of the Frightful Four) than trying to take anyone one individually and there’s a good chance that if we do see him, it would be in that way. I’m actually more excited about seeing The Awesome Android than I am the Mad Thinker and, for that reason, have been curious about him potentially teaming up with someone like Thundra and showing up in She-Hulk where Awesome Andy could really shine!

The Puppet Master

At first glance, Phillip Masters doesn’t seem like the kind of villain worthy of making his way into the MCU because the idea behind his bad guy powers really isn’t going to translate into something worth seeing on the big screen. Despite all that, I think it’s possible he shows up and not just as the father of the love of Ben Grimm’s life, Alicia Masters. Marvel Studios plans for the Fantastic Four remain totally hidden from view, but with Disney Plus now able to serve up exciting, high quality projects that add to the depth of the worlds these characters inhabit, the Puppet Master would be an excellent antagonist for Dragon Man and the Future Foundation in a limited, streaming series.

The Red Ghost

As much as I would love to see Ivan Kragoff’s Super-Apes on screen, it’s hardly that aspect of the character that could easily allow him into the MCU. Sure, he’s associated with the Fantastic Four, but it’s Ed Brubaker’s The Winter Soldier that could open the door for the Russian mad scientist. Kragoff’s work brainwashing sleeper agents for Department X could really come in handy with Yelena Belova set to take over the mantle of Black Widow in the MCU. Krafoff is exactly the type of character Marvel Studios could retool and give purpose, maybe working for AIM or with the Thunderbolts.

Thundra

If the rumors about the Squadron Supreme appearing in the Loki streaming series are true, then there’s a path to the MCU for Thundra. Her traditional origins as a time traveler probably don’t work out very well, but there’s no reason she can’t be a multiversal character who ends up in the present day MCU at some point. Of course they could totally redo her origins and introduce her in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier as a member of the Grapplers. It’s almost like stunt actor Vanessa Cater would be just right in the role…

Wyatt Wingfoot

The college roomie and good buddy of Johnny Storm, Wyatt Wingfoot walked away from his destiny as chief of the Keewazi tribe to chose a life of adventure with the Fantastic Four. During that time, Wingfoot began a relationship with Jen Walters that would continue on and off for decades. Wyatt would work well as a window to the craziness that the Fantastic Four experience day to day, allowing us to see their adventures through someone without their incredible powers.

July 10, 2020