Thunderbolts* is the latest MCU story to take place in New York, and I think the most recent trailer for the movie has revealed why the likes of such New York stalwarts as Spider-Man and Daredevil won’t be there to help rally against the Void. The vast and ever-growing number of New York-based superheroes in the MCU is becoming something of an issue when considering how often the city is beset by otherworldly threats. As new MCU installments like Daredevil: Born Again continue to establish new street-level vigilantes, it gets increasingly harder to justify their absence.
Given that Spider-Man and Daredevil are two of the foremost New York-based superheroes, the events of the Thunderbolts* trailers raise the pertinent question of their whereabouts as the mightiest enemy the city has seen unleashes his godlike powers on innocent New Yorkers. It isn’t as if the trailer shies away from this glaring issue, either, as Bucky’s recruitment of the team is met with incredulity by Yelena Belova, who recognizes that the Thunderbolts “All just punch and shoot.” Thankfully, I think the trailer gives us a clue to Marvel’s justification this time.
A Recent Thunderbolts* Trailer Shows Manhattan Overrun By The Void
The Void Turns Citizens Into Shadows With A Wave Of His Hand
The latest Thunderbolts* trailer confirms that the Thunderbolts will be going up against the Void, the ruinous alter ego of Lewis Pullman’s Bob, AKA Sentry. This is huge, as Sentry and the Void are two of the most powerful enтιтies in all of Marvel Comics, whereas the Thunderbolts comprise a host of down-and-out villains and antiheroes whose powers pale in comparison to the Avengers. While the Void’s comic book history hinted at the catastrophe the Void heralds, recent trailers confirm it.
The Sentry’s logo and a flash of his costume can also be seen in Thunderbolts* trailers.
The Void, the shadowy figure seen looming over New York in the trailer, can be seen wreaking havoc on the streets below with what seems to be little effort. As he extends his hand, his godlike abilities manifest as a shadow enveloping Manhattan and causing citizens to disappear in an instant, leaving nothing but an eerie silhouette behind. The process is evocative of Thanos’ Snap, though admittedly less drawn-out and consequently traumatic – but I wonder if the Void is actually wiping these innocent civilians from existence at all.
It’s Unclear If The Void Is Killing Everyone He Disappears
Marvel May Be Opting For A Less Grisly Fate
Things look pretty dire for New York citizens and the Thunderbolts, as whatever the Void is wreaking is undeniably destructive. If Thunderbolts* is closely following the Void’s characterization in the comics – where he is an unstoppable force of pure destruction – then the MCU may be depicting one of its most morbid villains yet, whose powers are second only to a gauntlet-wielding Thanos. Then again, Marvel may opt to take a less grisly approach to the character, given he is an otherwise an Avengers-level threat in a movie that is so far repeatedly reminding us of the Avengers’ absence.
Instead, the Void may be simply banishing his victims. It is difficult to ignore the fact that he shares his name with one of the Multiverse Saga’s biggest MacGuffins, after all. As the Multiverse Saga struggles against criticisms leveled at its incongruity, this would be an opportune moment to tie Thunderbolts* to the wider narrative by having the Void banish his victims to the MCU’s “Metaphysical junkyard.” If this, or something similar, is the route Thunderbolts* takes, then I think this could help explain Spider-Man’s and Daredevil’s absence from the fray.
Marvel Theory: Why Spider-Man And Daredevil Aren’t In Thunderbolts*
The Two May Have Been Banished
The Void seems to be bathing all of Manhattan in a creeping shadow that turns all it touches into a distorted silhouette of their former self. It is unclear whether there is any escaping this fate – save, for example, if someone is sheltered in a building as the shadow grows. With that in mind, it would appear that nobody is safe from its reach and effects, condemning all who live in Manhattan to a grisly fate.
This theory is predicated, of course, on the notion that the Void doesn’t outright kill his victims.
This would extend to Spider-Man operating out of Midtown Manhattan and Daredevil operating out of Hell’s Kitchen. With no prior warning of the Void’s arrival, there would be very little the two superheroes could do against an encroaching shadow, leaving it up to the Thunderbolts, who seem to first encounter Sentry and possibly the Void in the old Avengers tower, to step up. As none of the heroes comprising the team operate in New York, they are best placed to face the threat within from outside.
This theory is predicated, of course, on the notion that the Void doesn’t outright kill his victims. To kill off Spider-Man and Daredevil so unceremoniously would be one of Marvel’s most heinous moves, but they are at least shielded by the fact that both are due to return in future MCU installments. A short jaunt in the Void, on the other hand, could give both a first-hand look at the implications of the multiverse – a privilege afforded to very few so far.
The same excuse could, of course, be applied to all other New York-based superheroes, depending on the extent of the Void’s ᴀssault. With that being said, Doctor Strange was last seen entering the Dark Dimension with Clea in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It can also be ᴀssumed that other superheroes are otherwise occupied – as the trailers like to remind us. Spider-Man and Daredevil, however, are a little harder to explain, given they were both last seen in New York. Then again, Marvel might take a more cut-and-dry approach.
Another Reason Spider-Man And Daredevil Aren’t In Thunderbolts*
They Could Be Otherwise Occupied
There is a common trope that necessarily pervades MCU movies to stop each one from being an Avengers movie, and it stipulates that the MCU’s superheroes are otherwise occupied most of the time. Obviously, when something like a Thanos-level threat descends on Earth, it is harder to justify any superhero’s omission from the fray – but it is nonetheless accepted that the MCU’s superheroes can’t be in all places at the same time. This might be the case for Thunderbolts* and the whereabouts of Spider-Man and Daredevil.
It would be a less satisfying approach, but it certainly follows MCU precedent to simply have its superheroes occupied with some other threat.
Daredevil: Born Again is still streaming and could end with Matt Murdock in any number of prohibitive situations by the time the finale airs and Thunderbolts* is released. Spider-Man, meanwhile, might be operating out of the precise location the Void is targeting – but New York is a big city. Without knowing how raucous and swift the Void’s ᴀssault is, as depicted in the Thunderbolts* trailer, it is hard to say whether Spider-Man gets wind of the catastrophe in time to intervene.
It would be a less satisfying approach, but it certainly follows MCU precedent to simply have its superheroes occupied with some other threat. Still, if Thunderbolts* doesn’t address the absence of two of its most famous superheroes, then I would hope that Spider-Man 4 or Daredevil: Born Again season 2 will. Better yet, perhaps both will join the fray in two surprise Thunderbolts* cameos (Daredevil did appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home, after all) – but I won’t hold my breath.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Release Date
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July 31, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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