The 2025 Super Bowl saw the official debut of the thrilling trailer for the upcoming Marvel film Thunderbolts*, which will hit theaters on May 2. In the new preview, Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character, CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, poses an important question: “Who will protect the American people in the Avengers’ absence?”
Thunderbolts* Super Bowl Trailer
The energetic soundtrack, Starship’s Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now, takes center stage as the trailer shifts its focus to Florence Pugh’s Yelena Bolova. Considered the next Black Widow, Bolova struggles to come to terms with her newfound role. Her inner turmoil becomes evident when she expresses her doubts, stating, “We can’t do this. No one here is a hero.”
To help her overcome these internal issues, her fellow Thunderbolts rally around her with words of encouragement. Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian) delivers a stirring pep talk to Bolova, saying, “When I look at you, I don’t see your mistakes. That’s why we need each other.” Marvel Studios succeeded in making a significant splash at the studio with the Thunderbolts* trailer, which undoubtedly stole the show. The preview provided a glimpse into what the superhero film will be about when it hits theaters while introducing The Sentry.
With Captain America: Brave New World preparing to arrive on the big screen, the spotlight is starting to shift to other upcoming Marvel films. Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are generating the latest buzz. Already unveiling an impressive sneak peek, the latter film is gearing up to be one of the biggest surprises of the Multiverse Saga.
Addressing Avengers-created Power Vacuum
In the trailer, Valentina Allegra De Fontaine makes a pivotal statement: “The Avengers are not coming.” Viewers are reminded that the iconic team disbanded since Captain America: Civil War and after Avengers: Endgame. Although President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross intended for Sam Wilson to reassemble the team in Brave New World, it’s clear that this action hasn’t come to fruition yet.
Valentina is exploring alternative solutions to address the power vacuum that resulted from the Avengers’ absence. One possibility may include the creation of an army of Super Soldiers, which may explain why The Sentry appears: to be recruited. However, Bucky Barne’s concern suggests that he’s wary of this development. Given his past experiences in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, his look of disapproval is completely understandable.
The Void Makes Sinister Presence Known
A sense of foreboding settles over New York City with the appearance of a mysterious flying villain abducting people and leaving behind only shadows. Revealed as The Void, this ominous figure is the darker alter ego of The Sentry. In what may be a loss of control, The Void seems to pull innocent bystanders into his twisted realm uncontrollably. As a result, the Thunderbolts are seen approaching one of the shadows, indicating their willingness to venture into the unknown to control The Sentry, who goes by the name “Bob.”
Notably, the Void’s origins and nature are shrouded in mystery in the comics. Specifically, the dark entity bonded with Robert Reynolds after he consumed the Super Soldier Serum, transforming him into The Sentry. For many fans, The Void is considered the physical manifestation of Reynold’s mental illness. Notably, it’s responsible for a devastating massacre in Manhattan that saw one million people murdered before being defeated.
Cast and Premise of Thunderbolts*
Boasting a talented ensemble cast, Thunderbolts* includes:
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier
- Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost
- Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent
- Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster
- Lewis Pullman as Bob/Sentry
- David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian
Thunderbolts* centers around a group of antiheroes who, in a thrilling turn of events, find themselves caught in a deadly trap set by the clever Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Due to this cunning maneuver, the team is forced into a high-stakes mission, where they must put aside their differences and work together for survival. Ultimately, the team’s cusses depend on their capacity to transcend individual motivations to forge a united front.
Marvel’s Phase 5 Getting Back on Track
As Marvel continues to release its exciting Phase 5 films, fans can hardly wait for the release of Thunderbolts*. Furthermore, this phase consists of various films and shows, including Captain America: Brave New World, Daredevil: Born Again, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, among others. Additionally, the latest trailer has only increased the excitement among fans, who eagerly speculate about the team’s dynamics and challenging adventure. Counting down the days until its release in theaters, fans worldwide expect the film to leave a lasting impact in the MCU.
