Thunderbolts*’ Post-Credits Scene Sets Up A Name Change For The MCU’s Young Avengers According To Marvel Movie Theory

WARNING: This article includes spoilers from Thunderbolts*The Young Avengers may not be able to choose their original name in the MCU, if Thunderbolts*‘ post-credits scene is anything to go by. The Thunderbolts officially become the New Avengers in Thunderbolts*‘ ending, christened by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine for their efforts subduing the Void. The New Avengers’ official announcement entails major implications for the MCU, starting with their legal battle with Sam Wilson’s Avengers in Thunderbolts*‘ post-credits scene, fourteen months after the events of their team-up movie.

The New Avengers’ dispute with Sam Wilson’s Avengers suggests the two teams will struggle to work together in their battle against Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. It’s possible that the X-Men and the Wakandans will also take an independent approach to the fight. Similarly to the divided Avengers in Avengers: Infinity War, the heroes’ failure to join forces might lead to their defeat and a rematch in Avengers: Secret Wars. Moreover, the Avengers’ inner struggles might cause other issues for the superhero community.

Thunderbolts* Suggests New Avengers Teams Can’t Use The Original Name

The Avengers Name Is Copyrighted In The MCU

The New Avengers Are More Likely To Choose The Name “Champions” Now

The Young Avengers May Be Legally Restricted From Using Their Comic Book Name

Sam Wilson’s ownership of the Avengers brand may prohibit the creation of new Avengers teams not officially affiliated with Captain America. Therefore, Kamala Khan’s blooming superhero team will probably need to find a different name in order to avoid legal issues. Fortunately for Iman Vellani’s MCU character, Kamala Khan’s comic book counterpart is the leader of a team of young superheroes called “Champions” in the comics. In fact, Ms. Marvel has only been part of the Champions in the source material, not the Young Avengers.

In the comics, the Champions gain their name from a public display of heroism and a speech about freedom and hope from Ms. Marvel. Like their comic book counterparts, the MCU’s Champions could grow disillusioned with the Avengers, this time perhaps due to the Avengers’ refusal to affiliate with them. Besides, combining the Young Avengers with the Champions in the MCU could allow the franchise to mix heroes from both comic book teams, including Ironheart, Joaquin Torres, Miles Morales, and Nova.

Other Avengers Offshoots Are Unlikely For Now

No New Avenger Teams May Be Allowed To Be Created

In the absence of the official Avengers, now would be the perfect time for several different Avenger teams to appear and fill the void. Marvel lore provides the MCU with many options to choose from: a Dark Avengers team created by a government agent with evil intentions, a West Coast Avengers team led by California heroes like Ant-Man or She-Hulk, a Secret Avengers made up of spies, or an A-Force team composed entirely of female superheroes, among others. Given the extended absence of a prominent superhero team since Avengers: Endgame, it’s rather odd that only the New Avengers have risen up to replace them.

Apart from the fact that Phase 6 is crowded due to the Fantastic Four’s introduction and Avengers: Doomsday‘s packed cast, Thunderbolts*‘ post-credits scene suggests no other teams will be introduced anytime soon, as any adaptation of the Avengers’ comic book factions would face the same legal problems as the New Avengers at this point in the franchise. Perhaps the events of Avengers: Doomsday and a possible soft-reboot created by Avengers: Secret Wars could unify the Avengers and allow smaller teams to pop up.