WithThunderboltsupcoming for theMCU, comparisons to the Suicide Squad might be apt, but Marvel’s new team is so much more than a Task Force X clone.Thunderboltswill be released August 15, 2025, bringing together a number of charactersfrom various MCU projectsover the years. Directed by Jake Schreier (Paper Towns),Thunderbolts*features a group of supervillains and antiheroes recruited by the government for various missions.
Thunderboltsfeatures a strong cast of charactersand fun premise, making it a must-see for MCU fans. The premise might seem similar to DC’s various Task Force X projects likeThe Suicide Squad, and while there are definitely similarities, there are many things that aren’t, helpingThunderboltsfind its own place in the comic book landscape. Here areten reasons whyThunderbolts*is so much more than Marvel’s Suicide Squad.
10Marvel’s Thunderbolts* Movie Promises To Be A Spy Thriller
Thunderbolts*looks to follow in the footsteps of other spy-thriller films in the MCU, likeCaptain America: The Winter SoldierandBlack Widow,focusing on espionage and uncovering revelations as it goes on. The team is deliberately chosen for the missions they are tasked with going on, which could help the team’s handlers keep any secrets that they don’t want revealed under wraps.
Like a lot of other MCU projects, theSuicide Squadfilms lean more into the action comedy and spectacle of the genre, whereThunderbolts*looks to be a bit grittier and more grounded. Having a more serious, grounded tone can help differentiate the team from its DC counterpart, as well as other parts of the MCU.
9The Thunderbolts* Are Being Created As An Avengers Replacement
TheThunderbolts*trailer revealed a number of detailsabout the upcoming movie that really stood out. Something to note in particular is the fact that the team is being created as some sort of Avengers replacement. The biggest clue isthe Thunderbolts team meeting Valentina at what used to be Avengers Tower, which indicates that she (or the CIA) bought the tower after years of theorizing who did.
At one point, it was heavily theorized that Norman Osborn bought Avengers Tower.
A point of contention in the MCU is how the Avengers should operate.Captain America: Civil Warwas about just that, as the US Government wanted jurisdiction over the team. With theThunderbolts*, that could actually happen; a superpowered team operating under the oversight of the government.
8The Thunderbolts* Showed Up In Other Projects First
In terms of live-action comic book projects, bothSuicide SquadandThe Suicide Squadfeatured members that never actually appeared earlier in the DCEU. They were villains for established characters, but audiences never got to see them interact with their heroes before being thrown together as members of Task Force X.
Thunderbolts*is different in this regard, as every member (save for one)has been introduced in various films and TV showsleading up to them coming together in the MCU. Not only does it show how connected the universe actually is, but that familiarity with the characters can help audiences connect with the characters they have grown to care for, particularly characters like Bucky or Yelena.
7Not Every Thunderbolts* Member Is A Villain
Save for Rick Flag, every member of the Suicide Squad is typically a villain of a major DC hero.Thunderbolts*does include villains from other shows and movies, but for the most part, they have moved past being that. Sure, they could possibly regress as the film goes on, but most of them could essentially be considered anti-heroes now.
The Thunderbolts might be a little rough around the edges, with questionable actions in the past, but they are so much more than that now.
For instance, Bucky’s entire journey prior toThunderbolts*has been moving past being a villain, and learning to live with what he has done. Yelena never felt like a villain, despite being a minor antagonist in Hawkeye, and Bob isn’t a villain at all. The Thunderbolts might be a little rough around the edges, with questionable actions in the past, but they are so much more than that now.
6Thunderbolts* Introduces One Of Marvel’s Most Powerful Heroes
Thunderboltsis set to introduce audience members to anew character named Bob. This character is particularly important ashe is better known as Sentry, one of Marvel Comics strongest heroes. Sentry is often considered Marvel’s Superman, so his inclusion inThunderboltshas lasting ramifications for the entire MCU.
Introducing a character that eventually goes on to be such a powerful hero definitely sets apartThunderbolts*from the Suicide Squad allegations. It will be interesting to see how Sentry fits in with the rest of the team, since he is far and away the most powerful member of the team.
5Thunderbolts* Builds Up From The MCU’s Past
It has already been stated thatThunderbolts*features characters that have been featured in various MCU projects over the years, but itbuilds from the MCU’s past in ways that go beyond the introductions. This is particularly prevalent in how the public, and government, began to view the Avengers as the movies progressed.
Bucky’s MCU Return Is Way Better Than Him Being Captain America’s Replacement
Sebastian Stan is set to return as Bucky Barnes in Marvel Studios' upcoming Thunderbolts*, paving his own path away from Captain America.
With a team like the Thunderbolts, their mission can be kept under wraps, something the Avengers were never really afforded. It also continues the storylines about government oversight of superpowered teams, and although the Avengers were in a position to argue the pros and cons, the Thunderbolts might not have as much say in the matter.
4The Thunderbolts* (Probably) Won’t Lose Their Heads
A defining aspect of Suicide Squad as a group is how Amanda Wallerforcibly coerces them into carrying out missions with the threat of death if they don’t. In fact, each member of Task Force X is implanted with a bomb in their neck, and should anything go south, Waller doesn’t hesitate to set them off. This most likely won’t be the case inThunderbolts*.
Without the threat of imminent death, the team’s motivations are fundamentally changed.
Though those that are overseeing the Thunderbolts are incredibly powerful, it’s unclear how they will get the team to cooperate and actually do the assignments they are asked to do. Without the threat of imminent death, the team’s motivations are fundamentally changed, and it will be fascinating to see how it all plays out.
3The MCU Is Closely Tied To The Thunderbolts*
It’s been established thatThunderbolts*is already closely tied to the projects that came before in the MCU, as well as past storylines, but that is one of the fundamental things that separates the film from the DCEU’s twoSuicide Squadfilms. These were connected to the rest of the universe by the thinnest of threads, without really impacting anything going forward.
Certain events that happened inThe Suicide Squadcould have some effect on the new DCU despite it being a new continuity, but nothing is certain yet.
WithThunderbolts*,not only is the past important, but so is the future of the MCU, as the film promises to have lasting ramifications for the universe as a whole. It’s hard to introduce one of the universe’s most powerful characters and not have it make an overall impact on the story going forward. Coupled with the fact that some of these members could (and have) played an important part in shaping the MCU andThunderbolts*place in the universe is incredibly important.
2An Avenger Is Part Of Thunderbolts*
Bucky Barnes has had one of the most important journeys in the entire MCU. He started out as Steve Rogers' best friend before “dying.” He was brainwashed to become the super soldier assassin known as the Winter Soldier, and eventually was able to overcome that and take his place alongside the other Avengers in the battle against Thanos.
Bucky looks to play a significant part inThunderbolts*and having a character that fought alongside the rest of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, is a big deal. It goes to show that characters are more than their pasts and their actions moving forward can impact people and events around them. Seeing Bucky again will be a treat for those who love the MCU.
1Thunderbolts* Deals With The Legacy Of Other Characters
A number of characters on theThunderbolts*roster have been closely tied to previous characters in the MCU,having to deal with the legacy they left behind. This is particularly important for John Walker (U.S. Agent), Bucky, and Yelena Belova, as each of their own journeys continue through the film and beyond.
Both Bucky and John Walker are intrinsically tied to Captain America. Bucky was his best friend and one of Steve’s main motivations for his actions in the MCU, and John Walker was tasked with becoming the new Captain America and failed miserably because he didn’t understand what it meant to take Steve Rogers' place. Yelena is the sister of Black Widow, who looks to carry on her legacy following her passing, whichThunderbolts*should continue to do.
Thunderbolts*
Cast
Thunderbolts follows seven disillusioned individuals who find themselves trapped in a perilous situation. Tasked with a daunting mission, they must face the most shadowy aspects of their histories in order to survive and achieve their goals.
