Thanks to how good Thunderbolts* was, I almost forgot that the film did not answer a big Marvel mystery. In the eyes of many, myself included, Thunderbolts* is one of the best-ranked MCU movies in a long time. Although I have liked a great deal of Marvel Studios properties since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, the story of Thunderbolts* resonated with me, and it is proving to do the same with audiences across the world.
The reviews for Thunderbolts* saw the film receive an 88% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest since 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home. This was combined with a 94% audience approval rating, typifying just how enjoyable Thunderbolts* truly was. This enjoyment only made the anticipation grow for upcoming Marvel movies, and, I admit, I was swept up in the hype too. In fact, Thunderbolts* was so enjoyable to me that I almost forgot about a major MCU mystery concerning one of the film’s characters that the film did not answer.
Thunderbolts* Answers A Huge Number Of Questions About A Range Of MCU Characters
Answers Were Provided In Many Ways
Aside from the sheer enjoyment Thunderbolts* provided, the many other answers it provided regarding big MCU characters also contributed to me almost forgetting a specific one. For example, Thunderbolts* answered many mysteries about the main team members of the film. Thunderbolts* cast of characters took front and center, with the film exploring what had become of John Walker and his family life since The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, providing answers about Bucky’s political career, ending Taskmaster’s story, and delving into the loneliness of Yelena and Red Guardian since Black Widow.
Then there were supporting MCU characters like Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Val has been one of the MCU’s most mysterious characters for years, especially from a motivation standpoint. Thunderbolts* answered what she had been working towards, all while answering mysteries about Bob/Sentry. The post-credit scene of Thunderbolts* even answered mysteries about characters not even in the movie, from Sam Wilson building his Avengers team to The Fantastic Four finally joining the mainline MCU. On the whole, Thunderbolts* was content to clear up a lot of MCU mysteries.
Thunderbolts* Leaves One Long-Term MCU Mystery Despite It Being Relevant To Its Story
One Of The Main Characters Has A Big Question Left Over
Regardless of the many mysteries Thunderbolts* answered, the film left one shrouded in darkness, even though it was somewhat relevant to the film’s story. The character this mystery links to is Ghost, who many would agree was perhaps the least developed of the main team members. Ghost was confirmed to have become a hardened ᴀssᴀssin in the time between Ant-Man and the Wasp and Thunderbolts*. That said, little else about her story was revealed, especially given that the film focused intently on the mental struggles of Yelena, John Walker, and Bob, for example.
Herein lies where the big MCU question Thunderbolts* failed to answer lies: what happened to Bill Foster? Bill Foster was a supporting character of Ant-Man and the Wasp who was shown to care for Ava, even trying to help her recover from her phasing condition. Not only that, but Bill Foster is the Marvel Comics hero known as Goliath. Surprisingly, Thunderbolts* did not reveal where Bill Foster is now in the MCU, which is surprising given that he left with Ava in the final moments of Ant-Man and the Wasp.
The MCU Has A Perfect Chance To Explain What Happened To Bill Foster Soon
Ava Starr Will Return
Although Thunderbolts* failed to answer where Bill Foster is, another MCU project has the chance to do so soon enough. Hannah John-Kamen was confirmed to be part of Avengers: Doomsday‘s cast list, as were the other members of the Thunderbolts. This means that the 2026 film could explore what became of Bill Foster, which is only bolstered by the casting of Paul Rudd. If Ant-Man and Ghost reunite in Avengers: Doomsday, it is much more likely that a major mystery from Thunderbolts* finally gets an answer.
