Thunderbolts* is set to introduce a new team to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I’m convinced that one of the most important characters from the film will cross over into the next Avengers films. With some Thunderbolts* characters more likely to die than others, it seems unlikely that the entire team will survive the events of their own film. However, one in particular has been proven to be important to Marvel in recent years, and seems all but ᴀssured to fight alongside the Avengers team soon.
The current shape of the Marvel Universe is interesting, with several MCU teams being seeded in various projects. There is hope that each of these will appear in the forthcoming culmination to the multiverse saga in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. However, with so many characters and only so much runtime available, it may not be possible for every one of these characters and teams to be featured in those films. Regardless, one particular character feels essential, and I’d be shocked if they weren’t included.
The MCU’s Avengers Lineup Is Missing A Black Widow Replacement So Far
The Avengers Need A Replacement For Natasha Romanoff
Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff was an important part of the Infinity Saga, but she has since been killed off. While many believe that Johansson could return to the Black Widow role in the MCU, the franchise still needs to find a way to move on without her. After so many years in the franchise, her impact on the universe has been enormous, and the significance of her death needs to remain intact. However, it is important that other characters be used to fill the hole she left behind in the Avengers team.
Black Widow was one of the most important members of the Avengers team, and while the MCU has introduced several Black Widow replacement characters, they have not made any of these characters into Avengers. Ruth Bat-Seraph appeared in Captain America: Brave New World, and, contrary to the comic book origin, was turned into a Black Widow. However, after the events of Brave New World, the character has not made too much of an impact, and may not be a suitable replacement for Natasha.
Yelena’s MCU Setup Across The Multiverse Saga Means Her Joining The Avengers Would Make Sense
Florence Pugh’s Yelena Has Been Set Up As An Important MCU Character
Yelena Belova has been one of the most prominent characters who has been featured in the MCU during the Multiverse Saga, and needs to join the Avengers team. Debuting in the universe during Black Widow, the film clearly set up for Florence Pugh to take over for Scarlett Johansson within the franchise. Since that film. Yelena has been used in Hawkeye, and is now set to be an important part of the Thunderbolts* team in their upcoming film.
With her star power, her charisma, and her Black Widow abilities, it seems all but ᴀssured that Yelena will quickly become one of the most important members of the Avengers team.
I do not believe that the Thunderbolts will still be together by the end of their film, especially with the asterisk in the Thunderbolts* тιтle, and the bickering between their teammates. However, I do believe that each of those characters will go on to have an important role in the future MCU. Yelena is the clearest and most likely example of this. With her star power, her charisma, and her Black Widow abilities, it seems all but ᴀssured that Yelena will quickly become one of the most important members of the Avengers team.
Yelena Wouldn’t Have To Be A Permanent Avenger To Join The Team In Avengers: Doomsday & Secret Wars
The Avengers Team May Not Be As Solid As It Once Was
With so many different teams popping up in the MCU, what it means to be an Avenger may have shifted. With some of the strongest and weakest MCU heroes, the team has been made up of all kinds of heroes, many of whom have only been a part of the team for a short time. Characters like Doctor Strange essentially became Avengers by necessity during the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, and that kind of temporary affiliation may be enough for characters like Yelena to join the team temporarily.
Perhaps the state of being an Avenger in the MCU has changed, and is more about a common goal rather than an organized affiliation. Captain America and Iron Man found themselves fundamentally at odds in Captain America: Civil War, but fought together as Avengers for a greater good. Even MODOK thought of himself as an Avenger once he changed sides to fight alongside Ant-Man in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Yelena’s Avengers ᴀssociation could be similar, as only a temporary measure.
I hope that all the Thunderbolts* will survive their film, and that each of them will join the Avengers team. However, I am only entirely confident that this will happen with Yelena. Her character has clearly become an important focus for the studio, and Florence Pugh has only become a bigger star since being cast in the role. She will surely become an Avenger in the upcoming films, and I hope that we will see much, much more of her in the MCU for a long time to come.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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MCU Spider-Man 4
- Release Date
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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