The recent Marvel film Thunderbolts features significant developments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) through its post-credits scenes. These scenes not only provide comedic relief but also set the stage for future storylines involving major characters and teams. Number of Post-Credits Scenes
Thunderbolts contains two post-credits scenes: a mid-credits scene and a final post-credits scene. This is consistent with Marvel's tradition of including additional content after the credits to tease future events or provide closure to character arcs. Mid-Credits Scene
In the mid-credits scene, we see Alexei Shostakov, also known as Red Guardian, in a grocery store attempting to convince a customer to recognize him from a Wheaties box featuring the New Avengers. This lighthearted moment serves as a humorous payoff to an ongoing joke about his desire for fame and recognition as a superhero[1][2]. Final Post-Credits Scene
The final post-credits scene occurs 14 months later and reveals more serious implications for the MCU:
New Avengers Formation: The team, now officially branded as the New Avengers under Valentina Allegra de Fontaine's direction, is shown in their new headquarters, previously known as Avengers Tower but now referred to as the Watchtower. This rebranding comes after Valentina's press conference where she announced them as heroes[3][4].
Conflict with Sam Wilson: The New Avengers are facing legal issues with Sam Wilson (Captain America), who is unhappy about their use of the "Avengers" name and is pursuing copyright claims against them. This conflict adds layers to their dynamic within the MCU[5][6].
Introduction of Bob/Sentry: Bob, who has been struggling with his powers as Sentry due to his alter ego The Void, remains part of the team but chooses not to engage in superhero activities due to the risks involved[7].
Outer Space Crisis: Yelena Belova mentions an ongoing crisis in outer space, hinting at larger cosmic threats that may be explored in future films[8].
Arrival of the Fantastic Four: The most significant reveal is when an extra-dimensional ship enters Earth's atmosphere, marked with the Fantastic Four logo. This confirms their impending arrival into the main MCU universe from their own alternate timeline[9][10].
This setup not only teases upcoming interactions between these two superhero teams but also hints at larger conflicts that will unfold in future MCU projects. Conclusion
In summary, Thunderbolts effectively establishes itself within the broader MCU narrative by introducing both a new team dynamic with the New Avengers and setting up for the arrival of iconic characters from the Fantastic Four.
The Thunderbolts are indeed rebranded as the New Avengers, and they are set to encounter the Fantastic Four coming into our universe according to post-credit scenes.
