With Thunderbolts* set to premiere on May 2, Marvel Studios has released a final trailer to build momentum for what is expected to be the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s next major ensemble film. As the Multiverse Saga has unfolded without a traditional Avengers entry, Thunderbolts* steps in to fill the void, promising a darker, more emotionally complex team-up.
The studio is leaving no stone unturned in promoting the film, especially following lukewarm responses to recent titles like Captain America: Brave New World. The timing of the trailer—just weeks before release—aims to generate last-minute buzz and, more importantly, strong word of mouth.
A Team of Misfits Faces an Existential Threat
The final trailer for Thunderbolts* reveals more about the storyline, spotlighting a group of emotionally damaged antiheroes called to save a world that has no Avengers left to protect it. Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, the new Black Widow, leads the trailer’s narrative. Disillusioned and emotionally frayed, Yelena embodies the team’s inner turmoil and struggle to find redemption.
Alongside her are Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Red Guardian (David Harbour), two characters who bring a reluctant optimism to the mission. They help galvanize the rest of the squad—which includes Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), US Agent (Wyatt Russell), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko)—to stand against a dual-personality villain: Bob, also known as The Sentry and his darker alter ego, The Void (played by Lewis Pullman).
The trailer delivers high-octane action and fresh dialogue while offering a closer look at The Void’s terrifying potential. A central theme emerges: for these characters to overcome their greatest threat, they must first come to terms with their own inner darkness.
A Hidden Symbol Hints at Tragedy
One subtle yet possibly significant detail in the trailer has fans buzzing. At the very end, a stylized asterisk appears—this time with only five points instead of the standard six. For casual viewers, it might seem insignificant. But to devoted Marvel fans, this change could be a signal of an impending tragedy.
Marvel’s promotional materials, including a recent poster, consistently depict the asterisk with six points—each presumably representing a member of the Thunderbolts team. However, the five-tipped symbol could suggest that not all six members will survive the events of the film.
Speculation is already circling around Taskmaster. Notably absent from recent marketing and action footage, and with no confirmed appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, Olga Kurylenko’s character is increasingly seen as the most likely to be killed off. If the team transitions into a New Avengers-style group by the film’s conclusion—as leaks suggest—Taskmaster’s exit could be the emotional turning point that solidifies the remaining members’ commitment.
A Bigger Twist May Be Coming
Adding further intrigue, insiders claim that the asterisk in the movie’s title holds deeper meaning, hinting at a major revelation that could ripple through the MCU. While Marvel has been quiet about the specifics, some believe this twist involves Bob’s transformation from The Void into The Sentry—a shift that could not only change the trajectory of this team but also reshape the future of Marvel’s cinematic universe.
The possibility that Thunderbolts* ends with the formation of a new Avengers-style team raises the stakes. If the rumor proves true, Bob may switch allegiances by the film’s end, joining forces with Yelena, Bucky, and others under a new heroic identity. This would mark a major evolution in the MCU and help fill the vacuum left by the absence of a formal Avengers installment in the Multiverse Saga.
Final Thoughts
Marvel’s final Thunderbolts* trailer is more than just a marketing push—it’s a layered preview of a film that may restore the MCU’s momentum by blending high-stakes action with emotional storytelling. With a surprising amount of narrative depth packed into a two-minute clip, the film promises to explore redemption, sacrifice, and transformation on a team-wide scale.
Whether the five-pointed asterisk is a marketing gimmick or a foreshadowing of tragedy, one thing is clear: Marvel wants fans in theaters, not just for the spectacle, but to witness a major turning point in the MCU’s evolving story.
