After working out that Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* will defeat their respective villains in the same way, I’m starting to worry that the two MCU movies may be too similar. While details about the Thunderbolts* story are still forthcoming, prolific trailers and promotional material provide many clues about what to expect – including the early death of one Thunderbolts member. That same footage has, however, helped to supercharge excitement for a movie that was initially met with some trepidation as its main stars comprise some fairly obscure and less popular reformed villains and antiheroes from the MCU.

This sets Thunderbolts* in good stead to improve Marvel’s fortunes after Captain America: Brave New World proved divisive and now sits as the MCU’s sixth-lowest-grossing movie. One of the main criticisms leveled at Captain America: Brave New World concerned its main villain, Red Hulk, whose power levels vastly outpace those of the serum-free Sam Wilson. The MCU certainly loves an underdog story, and Thunderbolts* appears poised to continue this trend – though I think there is only one route the Thunderbolts* narrative can take, making it no different to Captain America: Brave New World.

In Brave New World, Captain America Defeated Red Hulk By Talking Him Down

Sam Wilson Proved That Empathy Is His Superpower

I loved Captain America: Brave New World, even if it had its faults. One of my main concerns was Marvel’s continued sidelining of Bruce Banner, who was arguably the only character that should have gone up against Red Hulk, a villain who is traditionally his arch-nemesis in Marvel Comics. Nevertheless, it was entertaining to see Sam Wilson pull out all the stops to gain the upper hand on a creature that, under normal circumstances, should have decimated the new Captain America – and the old one, for that matter.

Sam Wilson deployed all the many gadgets in his arsenal to try and subdue Red Hulk, making full use of his vibranium wings, shield, and drones in an attempt to simply incapacitate the rage-monster. At the eleventh hour, after unleashing the full force of his Wakandan vibranium suit, it became apparent that this was never going to work. Faced with insurmountable odds, Sam Wilson leaned on his last remaining power: his empathy.

In one of Captain America: Brave New World‘s best moments, Sam Wilson proved how he was always particularly well-placed to defeat an extremely powerful supervillain that could give even Hulk a run for his money, despite the obvious power difference. This gulf in power was a prominent talking point in the lead-up to Captain America: Brave New World‘s release, and I think Marvel handled the payoff pretty well. Evidently, Marvel is also a fan of this brand of underdog story, as the Thunderbolts look to be in a similar position.

In Thunderbolts*, The Team Is Taking On A Mᴀssively Overpowered Villain

The Void Is Essentially A God

Recent Thunderbolts* trailers finally confirmed suspicions as it name-dropped the Void. Marvel Comics fans were already prepared for this reveal, as it became increasingly clear that Lewis Pullman’s Bob would be the live-action adaptation of Robert Reynolds, whose superhero idenтιтy is Sentry. Sentry is one of Marvel Comics’ most powerful characters, with the Void being his ruinous alter ego and one of Marvel Comics’ most violent and unstoppable characters, with powers that essentially allow him to achieve anything.

The Thunderbolts, on the other hand, are a collection of super soldiers and ᴀssᴀssins, with Ghost being the only member boasting more than the ability to – as Yelena Belova puts it – “Punch and shoot.” In fact, this quote from one Thunderbolts* trailer hammers home Marvel’s framing of the Thunderbolts as underdogs. Short of a surprise member or two joining the team during the movie, their powers pale in comparison to the likes of the Avengers – let alone Marvel’s most powerful supervillain yet.

Suffice it to say the Void is an Avengers-level threat at the very least. Nevertheless, Thunderbolts* trailers consistently remind us that the Avengers aren’t coming. Exactly how this under-powered team of reformed villains and antiheroes will fare against the Void remains to be seen, as the force of sheer destruction should be more powerful than each member combined ten times over. Still, thanks to Marvel’s recent spoilers, we know that the team must somehow succeed.

We Already Know Sentry Will Be Back After Thunderbolts*

Lewis Pullman Is Confirmed To Star In Avengers: Doomsday

Marvel Studios recently confirmed a litany of cast members for 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday as part of a live stream. The 5.5-hour long stream was filled with both surprising and expected cast members, from Sam Wilson’s Cap to Ian McKellen’s Magneto. One of the more surprising reveals was the cast of Thunderbolts* – though Olga Kurylenko, who portrays Taskmaster, was noticeably absent. Lewis Pullman was one such name, suggesting that Sentry will return in Avengers: Doomsday.

I think it’s pretty wild that Marvel Studios was happy to spoil Thunderbolts* by essentially confirming that the team survives their encounter with a godlike being. Many, like myself, fully expected at least some of the тιтular team to die at the hands of the Void – but the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement would have us believe otherwise. Perhaps even more surprising than that, however, is the notion that Sentry will also survive – meaning Thunderbolts* may be one of the least lethal movies in the MCU.

I’m therefore tempted to believe that Marvel is double-bluffing by revealing the Thunderbolts’ involvement in Avengers: Doomsday. Given that we are in the Multiverse Saga, it remains possible that Pullman and company will be portraying variants of their respective characters or entirely different ones, like Robert Downey Jr. is with Doctor Doom. Still, with RDJ being such a prominent example of this possibility, I wonder if this is truly what Marvel intends with the Thunderbolts, as the move would feel comparatively cheap.

I’m Convinced The Thunderbolts* Heroes Will Defeat Sentry By Talking Him Down

It Is The Only Feasible Way Of Subduing The Void

If Earth-616’s Sentry and the Thunderbolts survive Thunderbolts* to make it to Avengers: Doomsday, I can really only see one eventuality. Just as Cap talked Red Hulk out of his rampage, this is likewise the only recourse for the тιтular team of antiheroes. There is simply no way for the team to physically overpower the Void – presuming he will mirror even a fraction of his comic book counterpart’s power – so mentally subduing the enтιтy is the only other option.

This would make sense for a movie that has been repeatedly purported to center around themes of mental health. As a dark reflection of Sentry, it is possible that the Thunderbolts could wield their empathy and experience to help Bob’s humanity power through, banishing the Void from existence so that Sentry can wrest complete control. If this is the route that Marvel Studios is taking, then it looks like Thunderbolts* is about to deliver exactly the same solution for a powerful villain as Captain America: Brave New World – and I can only hope that this lands well with fans.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  Release Date

  
  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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