After The Reveal Of How 1 MCU Villain Was Cut From Thunderbolts*, My Comic-Accurate Sequel Theory Feels Way More Likely

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Thunderbolts*Though Baron Zemo doesn’t appear in Thunderbolts*, a writer’s recent reveal hints the villain’s comic connection to the team could be explored in a future MCU installment. Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts* packs an unprecedented twist, as the тιтular team’s victory earns the heroes a new name and changes the movie’s тιтle. The Thunderbolts retain their original team name for the duration of their first mission, but once Val takes credit for their efforts, they become the New Avengers. Over a year after stopping the Void, Thunderbolts*‘ post-credits scene confirms that the team are still the New Avengers by the time Avengers: Doomsday kicks off.

The MCU’s Thunderbolts line-up is quite different from the source material. Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, Bucky Barnes, and US Agent have all been members of the Thunderbolts in the comics, but rarely at the same time. On the other hand, characters who have been key to Marvel Comics’ Thunderbolts throughout the years, like Baron Zemo, Songbird, and Atlas, are absent from the film. The Thunderbolts have become the New Avengers, suggesting Marvel Studios will leave the Thunderbolts name behind. However, one detail about the script suggests otherwise.

Captain America: Brave New World Set The Stage For Baron Zemo’s Supervillain Team

Baron Zemo Received Company At The Raft

Daniel Bruhl's Baron Zemo тιԍнтens his glove and mask in front of the Thunderbolts, Captain America, and Red Hulk. — Custom image by Nicolas Ayala

Despite helping Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson in the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Baron Zemo was arrested by the Dora Milaje and sent to the Raft. Zemo didn’t seem to worried about it, though, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s finale episode showed why. From the comfort of his cell, Zemo called a hit on the remaining Flag Smashers in New York. Some time later, Sam Wilson’s successful intervention in Samuel Sterns’ plans to destabilize the world sends the Leader to the Raft alongside President Ross, who gets impeached and sentenced for his rampage as the Red Hulk.

If Zemo possesses the right contacts to blow up a highly secure police and military convoy from across the world, he surely has what it takes to contact other Raft prisoners without raising alarms

Without planning it, Captain America: Brave New World‘s ending sends two potential allies directly to Baron Zemo’s door. If Zemo possesses the right contacts to blow up a highly secure police and military convoy from across the world, he surely has what it takes to contact other Raft prisoners without raising alarms. Zemo might not be in any rush to get out, but The Falcon and the Winter Soldier probably isn’t the last time Zemo will appear. He’s more likely to break out of the Raft than he is to complete his full sentence, especially considering Thunderbolts* almost featured him in a major role.

Thunderbolts* Writer Eric Pearson Revealed Baron Zemo Almost ᴀssembled The тιтular Team

Baron Zemo Almost Returned As A Major Thunderbolts* Antagonist

Zemo from the MCU in front of Marvel's Thunderbolts — Custom image by Sean Migalla

Following Thunderbolts*‘ release, writer Eric Pearson revealed Baron Zemo almost returned in the Phase 5 movie. According to Pearson, an earlier draft of Thunderbolts* would have shown Zemo pulling the strings in secret after replacing a character using a Widow’s Veil. Pearson mentions Zemo was planned to be “part of putting them together,” but it’s not clear whether Zemo would have ᴀssembled the Thunderbolts himself, or whether Zemo himself would have been Thunderbolts*‘ main villain. Whatever the case, Zemo’s return in Thunderbolts* would have made sense, as he’s the team’s original creator and leader in the comics.

Eric Pearson’s comments suggest Baron Zemo would have influenced the events of Thunderbolts* to create a team of anti-heroes he could manipulate. Maybe instead of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, it would have been Zemo who became the Thunderbolts’ equivalent of Nick Fury, ᴀssembling the team to carry out his questionable goals. This would have given Zemo leverage over Bucky Barnes and would have made Zemo a direct opponent of Sam Wilson’s Avengers team. Zemo had to be cut from Thunderbolts* in order to keep the focus on the main characters and Val, but his evil plans may still be brewing inside the Raft.

A Thunderbolts* Sequel Can Adapt Baron Zemo’s Comic Book Team Faithfully

Baron Zemo’s Could Be Much More Comic-Accurate Than Yelena’s

Citizen V leads the Thunderbolts in Marvel Comics

The MCU’s Thunderbolts team consists of several anti-heroes who redeem themselves and replace the Avengers as the world’s leading superhero team in the absence of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Beyond that, Thunderbolts*‘ тιтular team bears little resemblance to the original Marvel Comics team. The MCU’s Thunderbolts ᴀssemble against their will, obtain their name from Yelena Belova’s childhood football team, and change their name to the “New Avengers” in Thunderbolts*‘ ending. In the source material, Baron Zemo gathers the Masters of Evil and updates each of their public idenтιтies, rebranding them as a new team of fake superheroes called “Thunderbolts”.

The Thunderbolts get a completely different origin in the MCU, though no one but themselves know the “Thunderbolts” name existed before they became the New Avengers. Meanwhile, Baron Zemo might be planning to ᴀssemble a team of his own in the Raft. Luckily for him, Zemo could easily recruit the MCU’s version of the Masters of Evil inside the Raft and manipulate them into working with him. Zemo could convince his Masters of Evil to bargain for reduced sentences by posing as heroes in world-saving missions. And similarly to the first iteration of the team in the comics, Zemo’s squad could eventually evolve into an actual superhero team.

Which MCU Characters Could Join Baron Zemo’s Thunderbolts Team

Baron Zemo’s Thunderbolts Work Is Already Cut Out For Him

The two most obvious candidates for Baron Zemo’s MCU version of the Thunderbolts are Samuel Sterns a.k.a. the Leader and Thaddeus Ross a.k.a. Red Hulk. Not only are the Leader and Hulk the biggest names in the Raft, but they’re also two important members of the Thunderbolts in the comics, specifically in the “Red Thunderbolts,” which was actually led by Thaddeus “Thunderbolts” Ross for the first and only time. The two other criminals confirmed to be in the Raft are Luke Cage‘s Willis Stryker a.k.a. Diamondback and Jessica Jones‘ Trish Walker a.k.a. Hellcat, both of whom were sentenced at the end of their respective Marvel series.

Geraldine Viswanathan’s Mel hasn’t been confirmed to be Songbird, but her bird necklace suggests she will eventually obtain her superhero idenтιтy. As Songbird, Mel could join Zemo’s Thunderbolts team.

Other criminals who may be looking to fix their public image, or those who simply wish to get back into action, could join Baron Zemo’s Thunderbolts team. Abomination could get tired of the pacifist shtick and test Wong’s training in a real battle scenario. Bullseye could also satisfy his violent urges and avoid another prison sentence by joining a supposed superhero team. Other villains, anti-heroes, and vigilantes could join the team in a Thunderbolts* sequel with different goals or by chance, similarly to the New Avengers. Strong candidates include тιтania, the Punisher, and Swordsman — none of whom have been part of an official MCU team yet.