Marvel Studios unveils a new set of Thunderbolts* posters that showcase every member of the MCU anti-hero team. The MCU’s Thunderbolts team is composed of former villains and established anti-heroes. As suggested by the trailers, none of them are initially willing to join forces with other dangerous criminals, but they’ll soon grow fond of each other and create a team that could rival the Avengers. How the Thunderbolts get their name, how the’ll defeat Sentry on their own, and what the asterisk in Thunderbolts*‘ тιтle means are all mysteries surrounding Phase 5’s final movie. As Thunderbolts*‘ May 2 2025 release date approaches, promotional material may provide more subtle hints.
On X, Marvel Studios shares six new Thunderbolts* character posters. Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, John Walker, Ghost, and Taskmaster star in their individual images. These new pictures seem to take place during Thunderbolts*‘ final battle, which may take place right outside Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s Thunderbolts Tower, right in front of Grand Central Station, where the Avengers ᴀssembled to fight the Chitauri in 2012. Check out all Thunderbolts* character posters below:
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What The Thunderbolts* Posters Mean
Thunderbolts*’ Latest Character Posters Is A Riff On Xbox
Thunderbolts*‘ “This is a Thunderbolt” line of character posters pokes fun at Microsoft’s “This is an Xbox” marketing campaign, which promotes Microsoft’s video game console and other products alongside everyday items that may or may not have a connection to them. Xbox’s 2025 marketing campaign includes funny out-of-character additions such as an “eggs box,” a “cat box,” and a “bento box.” Likewise, Thunderbolts*‘ character posters compares each of the MCU’s Thunderbolt to another kind of bolt, such as a lightning bolt, a wheel bolt, and a ᴅᴇᴀᴅbolt.
Our Take On The Thunderbolts* Posters
Thunderbolts*’ Marketing References Other Brands
Prior to Thunderbolts*‘ lighthearted jab at Microsoft’s “This is an Xbox” marketing campaign, Thunderbolts*‘ “Absolute Cinema” trailer references all the A24 productions its cast and crew have participated in. As soon as the trailer came out, A24’s official X account acknowledged the nod. Before Thunderbolts* hits theaters in May 2, more trailers, clips, and posters may include subtle nods to other companies. These references are subtle, but they’re added value for those who know which brands Thunderbolts*‘ marketing is parodying.
The reason why Thunderbolts*‘ marketing is subtly referencing famous brands is unknown, but it may have something to do with its plot. In Thunderbolts*, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is rebranding the Avengers Tower as the Thunderbolts Tower, flipping her anti-hero team’s reputation, and selling the idea of an ultimate Avenger as powerful as all the original Avengers combined. The тιтular team’s public image seems to be a central plot point in Thunderbolts*.
Source: Marvel Studios
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day
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July 31, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
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May 7, 2027