The new trailer for Marvel Studios’ upcoming Thunderbolts* has raised an important Avengers question, but one that’s much bigger than what has been asked about previous MCU projects. Thunderbolts* is quickly becoming one of the MCU’s most highly-anticipated upcoming movies, and the new trailer released during this year’s Super Bowl has raised excitement even further. However, while it’ll be great to see a new superhero team join forces in Phase 5’s Thunderbolts*, but the movie shouldn’t ignore the other superheroes of the MCU’s New York City.

Thunderbolts* is set to bring together Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Alexei Shostakov’s Red Guardian, Ava Starr’s Ghost, John Walker’s US Agent and Antonia Dreykov’s Taskmaster to battle a terrifying new villain. The introduction of a villain of this magnitude in Thunderbolts* throws doubt on whether the тιтular antihero team will actually be able to defeat him and save New York. It seems they could do with some help, but the new trailer has apparently confirmed that no help is on the way, as the Avengers are still curiously absent from Thunderbolts*.

The Void Will Be Attacking New York City In Thunderbolts*

Lewis Pullman’s MCU Role Has Seemingly Been Confirmed

The debut of Robert Reynolds’ Sentry in Thunderbolts* has been heavily theorized for some time, and the new trailer for the Phase 5 movie has just confirmed the hero’s introduction. However, this comes with a dark twist, as Lewis Pullman’s new MCU role will follow in the footsteps of his Marvel Comics counterpart and bring both the Sentry and the destructive Void into live-action. The Void will be one of the most haunting and powerful villains the MCU has ever seen, and Thunderbolts* trailer proves just how sinister he’ll be.

Thunderbolts*’ trailer demonstrates the Void’s strength in some very original ways. He is able to stop Bucky Barnes’ vibranium arm with ease, and seemingly tear it off the Winter Soldier. Viewers also see the Void throw the Red Guardian out the window of the former Avengers Tower and telepathically crashes a helicopter into a construction crane, but his most terrifying power is unmatched. The Void spreads his darkness across New York, and turns innocent citizens into shadows without hesitation, so it’s unclear exactly how the Thunderbolts will take him down without help.

Thunderbolts* Should Include The MCU’s Other Notable Superheroes

The Avengers Are Still Missing In Thunderbolts*

In the opening moments of Thunderbolts*’ new trailer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine confirms that “the Avengers are not coming.” This raises an important question that Thunderbolts* must answer – why are the Avengers not getting involved? The Void is set to threaten all of New York City, and perhaps even the world, and will not be secretive about his attacks, so it’s unusual that the other superheroes of the MCU don’t seem to be playing any part in Thunderbolts*’ battle.

The fact that the Avengers team isn’t appearing in Thunderbolts* implies that Sam Wilson’s Captain America won’t be forming the team, as is President Ross’ wish, in Captain America: Brave New World. Even if the Avengers team hasn’t reformed prior to Thunderbolts*’ release in May, however, there are still numerous heroes on the street in New York that would surely fight the Void to protect their home. This includes the likes of Spider-Man, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, and Daredevil and the Defenders, to name a few, so their absence from Thunderbolts* is weird.

How Will The Thunderbolts* Beat The Void Alone?

The Void Is One Of The MCU’s Most Powerful Villains

Ever since the line-up of the MCU’s first Thunderbolts team was announced, there have been concerns voiced about the power-level of the group. Ghost has a unique power-set, while four of the other members of the team are super-soldiers. Taskmaster is able to mimic others’ fighting styles, and Yelena Belova, despite having no superhuman gifts, is a skilled fighter and tactician, but the power-sets of the Thunderbolts’ members are all pretty similar. This raises huge questions about how the team will be able to take down the Void, whose abilities are almost incomprehensible.

It seems the Thunderbolts won’t be able to defeat the Void in a physical battle, but there are still ways the team can take him down without the help of other heroes with a wider variety of superhuman gifts. The Void shares a body with the kind-hearted and innocent Robert Reynolds, so it’s likely that the team will try and reason with his lighter side to try and overcome the darkness. If not that, Thunderbolts* may see the тιтular team outsmart the Void, whose power may have clouded his judgment, making him easier to outwit.

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