Marvel’s Thunderbolts*: Explanation of Credit Scenes and Asterisk Significance
Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* has officially debuted in Europe ahead of its worldwide release on May 2, 2025, and it’s already creating significant excitement among fans and critics. With initial reviews commending its darker atmosphere, intricate characters, and crucial implications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Thunderbolts* is becoming a significant entry in the Multiverse Saga. However, amidst the film’s storyline and performances, two aspects have stirred considerable speculation: the enigmatic asterisk in the title and the movie’s two post-credits scenes.
In this article, we delve into the true meaning of the asterisk and what the two post-credits scenes disclose about the MCU’s future.
The Asterisk in Thunderbolts*: What Is Its Significance?
Since the film’s announcement, fans have been intrigued by the asterisk in the title Thunderbolts*. Was it a design choice? A placeholder? Or something with deeper meaning?
Based on earlier leaks and fan theories now seemingly validated by the film’s premiere, the asterisk indeed holds importance. It signifies that “Thunderbolts” is not the team’s ultimate name. In the film, the assembly of anti-heroes and misfits is branded as the Thunderbolts, but by the conclusion, they transition into something greater — potentially the New Avengers.
This evolution goes beyond symbolism. The team steps up to confront a challenge that even the original Avengers may have found daunting — The Void, a sinister and destructive entity linked to the character Bob Reynolds (portrayed by Lewis Pullman), who also transforms into the Sentry. Thus, the asterisk alludes to the temporary status of the Thunderbolts name and the team’s prospective rebranding as a new generation of Avengers.
Mid-Credits Scene: Red Guardian and the Cereal Box
The initial post-credits scene is a lighthearted yet revealing moment featuring Red Guardian (David Harbour). In a supermarket, he looks for a particular cereal box — one labeled with the “New Avengers” title. This scene references promotional material Marvel shared earlier, which included a Thunderbolts-themed cereal box.
The message is evident: the Thunderbolts are now publicly acknowledged as the New Avengers. This scene acts as a link between the film’s events and the wider MCU, indicating a change in how the world views this group of reformed villains and outcasts.
End-Credits Scene: The Fantastic Four Make Their Entrance
The second post-credits scene is significantly more intense and sets the groundwork for future MCU crossovers. The newly established New Avengers are depicted in their headquarters — the Watchtower — deliberating on the team’s name. Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), now Captain America, reportedly expresses dissatisfaction with the Thunderbolts taking on the “New Avengers” title, as he is assembling his own team under the same name. There is even a joke about the possibility of him suing for the rights to the name.
As the discussion continues, an alert signals the team about an approaching spacecraft. The ship sports the iconic “4” emblem of the Fantastic Four and follows the classic blue and white color scheme. This indicates the entry of Marvel’s First Family into the primary MCU timeline, likely from a collapsing alternate universe — a narrative element anticipated to be explored in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, scheduled for release later in 2025.
This scene not only connects Thunderbolts* to the forthcoming Fantastic Four movie but also suggests the multiversal chaos leading into Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Implications for the MCU
Thunderbolts* serves as more than a mere standalone film centered around anti-heroes. It represents a crucial turning point in the MCU’s trajectory, bridging the aftermath of the Infinity Saga with the multiverse-driven turmoil expected in the upcoming Avengers films.
Here’s what we now understand:
– The Thunderbolts will presumably rebrand as the New Avengers.
– Bob Reynolds/The Sentry will have a significant impact in future confrontations, likely joining the Avengers ensemble.
– The Fantastic Four are officially entering the main MCU timeline.
– Sam Wilson’s Captain America may lead a rival Avengers team, establishing internal conflict and narrative tension.
– The multiverse remains a focal point, with characters from alternate realities arriving in Earth-616.
Concluding Thoughts
With its darker tone, character-centric storytelling, and major universe-expanding revelations, Thunderbolts* is set to be a keystone of the MCU’s upcoming phase. The asterisk in the title is more than just a distinctive design choice — it acts as a narrative hint about transformation, identity, and the evolving concept of heroism in a post-Endgame landscape.
As we look forward to the film’s global debut, fans can anticipate an exhilarating journey that will reshape the MCU landscape and pave the way for even larger stories ahead.
Thunderbolts*
