I’m So Glad The MCU Just Avoided One Of Its Worst Habits With Its Newest Movie Story

Thunderbolts*

unexpectedly became one of the most connected and fun Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

movies in the Multiverse Saga, and it’s all thanks to the inclusion of minor story details. When Thunderbolts* was initially announced, it felt like it was going to be a pointless filler story that would not move the narrative along for the rest of the MCU. However, upon it’s release, I have to admit that this ᴀssumption was ᴅᴇᴀᴅ wrong.

In fact, the movie ended up being something much more akin to Guardians of the Galaxy, introducing an exciting new team of unlikely heroes, with plenty of humor and fun along the way. But on top of that, the movie also managed to do some things that have felt like they have been missing from the entirety of the Multiverse Saga. And after watching (and rewatching) Thunderbolts*, I couldn’t be more excited for what comes next in the MCU.

The MCU Has Often Left Addressing The Events Of Its Movies For Several Years

The MCU’s Easter Eggs Sometimes Take Years To Pay Off

As far back as the earliest films in the MCU, there have often been small details included in each movie that wouldn’t be revisited or addressed until many years later. In Iron Man, the references to the Ten Rings organization weren’t revisited until Iron Man 3, and even then, that was a facade, which left the actual story of this organization pushed all the way back until the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Likewise, The Incredible Hulk set up characters like The Leader, who wouldn’t be brought back until over a decade later in Captain America: Brave New World.

At this point, setting up stories that may not be paid off until more than a decade later has come to be a staple of the MCU. And especially in the Multiverse Saga, where everything seems so disconnected and loose, almost all the entries so far have provided far more questions than answers. But Thunderbolts* had a different approach that proved to be a lot more engaging and exciting.

Thunderbolts* Immediately Addressing The Aftermath Of Captain America: Brave New World (& Setting Up The Fantastic Four: First Steps) Avoids This Issue In A Big Way

Thunderbolts* Connects To Multiple MCU Projects In Meaningful Ways

Thunderbolts* frequently references and links to the events of Captain America: Brave New World, a movie that came out earlier in the same year. Bucky is now a congressman, following his election, which was mentioned in Brave New World. The President turned into the Red Hulk, and is now imprisoned, which is also hinted at in Thunderbolts*. And beyond that, Bucky mentions efforts to connect with Sam Wilson, after he set up his own Avengers team, which appears to be in direct compeтιтion with The New Avengers.

All of this adds up to making this movie feel like a sequel, and part of the same universe of stories, while pushing the narrative a few steps forward. Unfortunately, that has been desperately lacking from the MCU for some time. And even beyond connecting back to Brave New World, the movie also includes a sneak peek at what to expect with The Fantastic Four arriving on Earth-616, helping to tie it in with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which is due out a few months after Thunderbolts*, and Avengers: Doomsday, which will be released roughly 14 months after Thunderbolts*.

I’m So Glad Thunderbolts* Is Such An Interconnected MCU Movie

Thunderbolts* Raised The Bar In The Multiverse Saga

When the MCU was being built in the beginning, the movies did drop Easter Eggs that hint at bigger stories to come after Thunderbolts*. However, in addition to those Easter Eggs, it also included scenes that tied the movies together, such as Stark showing up at the end of The Incredible Hulk, Nick Fury meeting Captain America at the end of Captain America: The First Avenger, and so much more. This ultimately made for a more cohesive and connected universe that was building towards bigger stories.

Unfortunately, with the scale of the MCU having exploded to such a degree after the events of Avengers: Endgame, the Multiverse Saga has been struggling to bring these many branching arms together. But with Thunderbolts* tieing in with the other entries that come around it in the release schedule, it feels like part of a bigger story. And ultimately, that is what made Thunderbolts* so much more rewarding and entertaining than most others in the Multiverse Saga.