Marvel’s Thunderbolts are now The New Avengers: What’s the secret behind this rebranding?

Marvel’s new film Thunderbolts which was scheduled to release in theaters on May 2, 2025, but now the name of this film has been changed to The New Avengers. This film revealed some new mysteries of the MCU which gave a new direction to this universe. Marvel Studios’ “The New Avengers (Thunderbolts)” film is part of Phase 5. It is the 36th film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the 14th installment of Phase 5. Let’s know the story of this whole episode.

The Story of Rebranding-

Thunderbolts* revolves around an anti-hero team assembled by CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). At the end of the film, Valentina introduces this team to the world as “The New Avengers,” revealing the secret of the asterisk. Marvel changed the marketing after release to make this twist even more exciting. The name The New Avengers was everywhere, from billboards in Los Angeles to posters on AMC theaters and Fandango. A viral video of Sebastian Stan changing posters at a bus stop further excited fans.

Formation of the New Avengers-

Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh): Black Widow’s sister, who is struggling with her past.

Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan): The Winter Soldier, who is looking for redemption.

Red Guardian (David Harbour): A former Russian super soldier.

John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Sentry (Lewis Pullman): Complex and powerful characters.

This team are not traditional heroes like the old Avengers, but represent a new beginning with their own dark past and moral complexities.

Impact on the future of the MCU-

The formation of the New Avengers will provide a new direction for the MCU. The post-credits scene of the film, which is releasing on July 25, 2025, shows the Fantastic Four’s spaceship. Also, the copyright dispute storyline with Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) could create tension in Avengers: Doomsday. With this rebranding, Marvel is combining the legacy of the old Avengers with new, complex characters, making the future of the MCU even more exciting.

The New Avengers trailer-

Fan Response and Controversy-

This rebranding has divided fans into two groups. Some considered it a masterstroke that combines story and marketing. Accounts like @Marvel_Updates and @tbolts_news on X raised the excitement by sharing pictures of new posters and billboards. But some fans believe that this change spoils the big twist of the film. This risky move by Marvel is further heating up the discussion.

Conclusion-