Marvel Studios has already treated audiences to a first glimpse of actual Avengers: Doomsday footage, and it was in the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene. However, considering Thunderbolts* only grossed $382 million worldwide, it’s safe to ᴀssume that not many people were able to witness it for themselves on the big screen, as Thunderbolts* has now left theaters.

Thankfully, there is at least a chance to catch it on home media instead, as Thunderbolts* is now available to stream on Disney+. Despite its theatrical performance, Thunderbolts* excelled on the streamer, swiftly becoming the third-most-streamed production upon release on Wednesday.

A successful run on Disney+ would be for the best, as not only is Thunderbolts* one of the best movies Marvel has produced since the Infinity Saga, but it ultimately became one of the Multiverse Saga’s most consequential. The very end of Thunderbolts* delivered a twist that established the тιтular team as the New Avengers, a government-sanctioned Avengers replacement.

The Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement has confirmed that the New Avengers, comprising Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, US Agent, Ghost, and Bob, will be returning for the Multiverse Saga’s climactic movie in December 2026. The Thunderbolts* post-credits scene even delivered the first glimpse of their activities when the Multiverse Saga’s arch-villain, Doctor Doom, makes his entrance.

Thunderbolts* Post-Credits Scene Was Directed By The Russos

The Thunderbolts* post-credits scene depicted the New Avengers operating out of Avengers Tower, navigating their new role and the complications with adopting the mantle. It’s established that Sam Wilson, who began forming a new team of Avengers in Captain America: Brave New World, is now feuding with them due to their choice of name.

During their conversation, the New Avengers mention a space crisis that they’re being kept out of the loop about before they are alerted about an extradimensional enтιтy entering Earth’s orbit. The scene concludes with the Thunderbolts looking at the Fantastic Four’s spaceship, which has evidently entered the MCU’s Earth-616 from their own in Earth-828.

The scene appeared aesthetically distinct from the main body of Thunderbolts*, with the members of the New Avengers sporting new looks. This was for good reason, as it was revealed that the scene was directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the Avengers: Doomsday directors, who have returned to the MCU six years after directing Avengers: Endgame.

The fact that this scene was filmed on the set of Avengers: Doomsday, which began principal pH๏τography in late April, suggests that the scene could have been ripped straight from the movie itself. This wouldn’t be a first for the MCU, with Captain America: The First Avenger, for example, using a cut-down scene from The Avengers in its post-credits.

Three Different Superhero Teams Are Set Up For Doomsday

The Thunderbolts* post-credits scene establishes that the New Avengers will play an important role in the events of Avengers: Doomsday. It also confirms, however, that two more teams will be joining the fray. Namely, Captain America’s Avengers and the Fantastic Four, who made their MCU debut two months after Thunderbolts*.

It is unclear which MCU heroes will join with Sam Wilson to form the new line-up of Avengers. At the time of writing, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man, Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi, and Danny Ramirez’s Falcon remain the most likely candidates of the current Avengers: Doomsday cast lineup.

Whether they will consтιтute a district team remains to be seen, but Kevin Feige also confirmed that the Wakandans, including Leтιтia Wright’s Black Panther and the current King of Wakanda, Winston Duke’s M’Baku, will also feature. Together with the New Avengers, Avengers, and the Fantastic Four, they will rally against Doctor Doom.

These are unique circumstances within MCU, where Avengers movies have typically spotlighted the тιтular team alone. It is evocative, however, of Avengers: Endgame, which ends with an army of superheroes, some comprising independent teams, rallying against Thanos and his army. Thunderbolts* meanwhile, has set up Avengers: Doomsday to resemble Avengers: Infinity War.

Thunderbolts* Sets Up Something Similar To Infinity War

Circumstances were arguably flipped on their head in Avengers: Infinity War, as there was no cohesive team of Avengers, despite what the movie’s тιтle would denote. Nevertheless, the movie shares a distinct similarity to Avengers: Doomsday, with Thunderbolts* establishing a familiar premise for the Avengers movie to pick up on.

While the New Avengers and the Avengers aren’t fractured themselves, the rift between the Avengers and New Avengers teams mirrors the rift between erstwhile Avengers in Avengers: Infinity War. Similarly, Avengers: Doomsday will see the тιтular heroes facing an imminent cosmic threat.

It is unclear whether the Fantastic Four spaceship seen in Thunderbolts* is being piloted by the Fantastic Four themselves. Some theories suggest that Doctor Doom is actually the one steering the ship as he traverses the multiverse. If that is the case, then the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene is practically identical to Thor: Ragnarok, where Thanos’s ship loomed over the New Statesman.

This is, at least, a good sign for Avengers: Doomsday. Avengers: Infinity War remains one of the greatest MCU movies ever made, which Avengers: Doomsday might emulate. The fact that the New Avengers will play such a central role in the movie is a good sign, as they were a huge part of what made Thunderbolts* so well-received.