Upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe project Thunderbolts*recently received a mysterious update, as the asterisk at the end of the film’s title was addressed by star David Harbour. The MCU’s new movie — which is expected to premiere in May 2025 — features an expansive cast of previous Marvel stars, but many aspects of the film are still unknown, including the true meaning behind the asterisk.
Speaking with Comicbook.com, Harbor acknowledged the peculiar addition to Thunderbolts*’ title, but his comments raised more questions than answers. Harbour stated that the asterisk was a retroactive decision before cryptically adding:
What can I say that’s not going to get me in trouble? The asterisk is very cool. I understand why people might put an asterisk there. I’m excited for the viewers to see that as well.
It’s unclear what this means for the upcoming film, but it seems as though fans will have to wait until Thunderbolts* is released in May to know more. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige also mentioned the asterisk earlier this year, but, like Harbour, failed to offer a satisfying explanation, stating, “We won’t talk about that more until after the movie comes out.”
Although we can’t be sure what the title change means for Thunderbolts*, it certainly suggests some intriguing possibilities for the future of the MCU. One popular suggestion is that the superheroes in Thunderbolts* will be rebranded at the end of the film into a new team of Avengers, re-introducing a necessary element of crossovers and collaboration to the MCU. This would make sense especially given the recent conclusion of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, which has left a shortage of group content in recent and future MCU films.
What Thunderbolts* Could Mean For the MCU
Thunderbolts* is expected to be the final film in the MCU’s Phase Five, giving it the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork for what fans can expect in Phase Six. Since the introduction of the Multi-Verse, the MCU has expanded immensely, which means that crossover films will be vital in order to support the sheer number of characters and storylines that Marvel has established. Thunderbolts* also allows fan-favorite side characters such as the Winter Soldier — aka Bucky Barnes — to enjoy their own time in the spotlight, with the implication that they’ll return in Phase Six for future adventures.
The MCU has never been bigger, but Thunderbolts* may also be a refreshing return to some good old-fashioned Earth adventures. In a post-Avengers: Endgame world, the MCU has been dominated by multiverse madness, but the overwhelmingly human lineup in Thunderbolts* may indicate a future of more grounded, Earth-based stories in Phase Six. Regardless, fans will have to wait until May to learn what’s next for the MCU — and what the mysterious asterisk in Thunderbolts*‘ title could possibly entail.
