I'm Convinced Marvel Is Back On Track After The Thunderbolts* Reactions Praised The Post-Credits Scenes

It seems like Thunderbolts* returns to the MCU’s roots from beginning to end, including its post-credits tease. Thunderbolts* brings together villains and anti-heroes from previous MCU installments, some of which weren’t well-received initially. While Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes stole the show in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Ghost and Taskmaster barely left a mark in Ant-Man and the Wasp and Black Widow, for example. However, every character in Thunderbolts* earns their time in the spotlight, and they seem to be ready to begin a heroic journey after the events of their first crossover movie.

Unfortunately for the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, MCU post-credits scenes have lost their edge throughout Phases 4 and 5. Post-credits teases from Eternals, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Moon Knight either remain unresolved or appear to take a drastically different direction. As a result, Multiverse Saga post-credits scenes no longer build excitement as effectively as the Infinity Saga’s teases. As Phase 5 ends and Phase 6 begins, Thunderbolts* seems to go against this trend.

Thunderbolts* Early Reactions Are Hyping Up The MCU Movie’s Credits Scenes

Thunderbolts* Early Reactions Confirm The Movie Has Two Post-Credits Scenes

Thunderbolts*‘ mid-credits and post-credits scenes might focus on the aftermath of the movie’s plot, or they could directly set up upcoming Phase 6 projects. They may also follow the usual MCU credits scene model: one scene is usually a comedic gag, and one scene is usually a set-up for a future installment. This trend started with The Avengers, where its mid-credits scene teased Thanos and its post-credits scene showed the Avengers eating shawarma after the Battle of New York.

I’m Convinced The Thunderbolts* Credits Scenes Are Proper Setup

Thunderbolts* Has The Chance To Start The Countdown To Avengers: Doomsday

While Thunderbolts* could go the same way as movies like Spider-Man: Homecoming, Iron Man 3, and Guardians of the Galaxy, Phase 5’s final movie likely won’t waste the chance to set up the beginning of the end of the Multiverse Saga. Considering that The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Avengers: Secret Wars are next in Marvel Studios’ movie slate, Thunderbolts* is in the perfect spot to tease what’s coming for the franchise in Phase 6. What’s more, whoever survives the events of Thunderbolts* may be among the first in line to defend the world when Avengers: Doomsday begins.

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Mel, and Taskmaster’s fate and whereabouts will probably be confirmed ahead of Avengers: Doomsday as well

Almost the entire cast of Thunderbolts* was confirmed to return in Avengers: Doomsday during Avengers: Doomsday‘s cast announcement. Directly or indirectly, Thunderbolts*‘ ending and credits scenes may set up the Thunderbolts’ roles in the next Avengers movie. Avengers: Doomsday‘s cast announcement doesn’t include Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Geraldine Viswanathan, or Olga Kurylenko. Therefore, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Mel, and Taskmaster’s fate and whereabouts will probably be confirmed ahead of Avengers: Doomsday as well.

With Thunderbolts*, It Seems Like Marvel Is Back On Track Telling A Central Story

Thunderbolts May Be The Second MCU Project In A Row To Lead Directly To Avengers: Doomsday

One of the biggest complaints about the MCU’s Phases 4 and 5 is that every installment seemed to move in a different direction. Some projects established one aspect of the multiverse, only for others to focus on an entirely different concept. What’s worse, everything pointed to Kang the Conqueror being the big bad of the Multiverse Saga, only for his story to end with his abrupt death in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, apparently. In 2025, Captain America: Brave New World focused entirely on its own plot, but also set up Sam Wilson’s new Avengers team. Immediately afterward, Thunderbolts* might do something similar.

If Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* both deliver standalone stories that also happen to lay the foundations for Avengers: Doomsday, they would be following the same steps as Phase 1’s solo movies. Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger told individual stories that could be enjoyed as standalone movies, but also served as interconnected chapters of Phase 1’s road to The Avengers. Although Phases 4 and 5 lack the same cohesion, the MCU might course-correct soon enough to set up Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars properly.

Upcoming MCU Movies

Thunderbolts*

Release Date

May 2, 2025

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Release Date

July 25, 2025

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Avengers: Doomsday

Release Date

May 1, 2026

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Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Release Date

July 31, 2026

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Avengers: Secret Wars

Release Date

May 7, 2027

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