Thunderbolts’ Game-Changing Post-Credits Scene: How Marvel’s New Avengers and Fantastic Four Set the Stage for Doomsday

1. The Rise of the New Avengers: Redemption or Rebranding?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has always thrived on evolution—both in characters and narrative scope. In Thunderbolts, a film that has long been anticipated as the MCU’s dive into its darker, more morally ambiguous team dynamics, the post-credits scene launches a seismic shift in how heroes are defined. The most arresting reveal? The Thunderbolts, a patchwork team of anti-heroes, are publicly rebranded as the “New Avengers.” Spearheaded by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, this transformation is more than a PR stunt—it’s a power move.

The original Avengers, once led by stalwarts like Steve Rogers and Tony Stark, stood for idealism, unity, and moral fortitude. The Thunderbolts, in contrast, are a ragtag mix of broken ex-assassins, exiles, and state pawns—like Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Bucky Barnes, US Agent, and Ghost. Their evolution into an official superhero team raises questions: is this redemption, or rebranding?

Fans might recall the team’s escape from Valentina’s control and their rescue mission involving the super-powered Bob from Project Sentry. Yet, despite their rebellion, they’re painted by Valentina as Earth’s mightiest new champions. This sudden promotion doesn’t just blur the moral lines—it fractures the superhero hierarchy. Sam Wilson, now carrying the mantle of Captain America, is reportedly assembling his own team. Tensions are clearly on the horizon, both politically and ideologically, as these competing Avengers factions inevitably clash in future MCU entries.

This narrative direction is emblematic of Marvel’s new phase—less black-and-white, more politically charged, and emotionally layered. The rise of the New Avengers could very well be a smokescreen for deeper government manipulation or a genuine shift toward a more inclusive, if troubled, definition of heroism. One thing is clear: Marvel is challenging what it means to be an Avenger in today’s world.

2. Comic Relief and Legacy: Red Guardian’s American Dream Moment

Amidst the intense political repositioning of the Thunderbolts, the mid-credits scene offers a breath of levity—and surprising emotional resonance. We see Red Guardian, a former Soviet icon with daddy issues and a longing for legacy, land a spot on a Wheaties box. This is no small feat for a man who once wrestled with his past failures and identity crises.

Played with rugged charm by David Harbour, Red Guardian has been a comic standout since Black Widow. His arc has always revolved around identity—his desire to be more than a footnote in the shadow of Captain America. His face on a Wheaties box, the quintessential emblem of American athletic and cultural excellence, symbolizes more than hero worship. It represents personal triumph and acceptance. He’s no longer just a relic of Cold War posturing—he’s part of the American dream now, however awkwardly he fits into that mold.

This moment underscores a recurring MCU theme: legacy. While some characters like Steve Rogers passed the torch literally, others like Red Guardian are struggling to rewrite their pasts into meaningful futures. His light-hearted yet poignant moment reminds audiences that heroism isn’t just about powers and punches—it’s about recognition, transformation, and belonging. And in a film thick with geopolitical stakes, a moment of individual triumph is a necessary emotional anchor.

This scene might seem minor, but it enriches the MCU’s tapestry by grounding its spectacle in character. It’s Marvel’s way of reminding us that even the most unlikely figures can wear the crown of heroism—sometimes right on a cereal box.

3. The Fantastic Four Land on Earth: A New Chapter Begins

Marvel fans didn’t just get political intrigue and character development in Thunderbolts—they got a peek into the multiverse’s most awaited arrival. In a dramatic post-credits twist, a spacecraft bearing the iconic “4” logo appears, signaling the entrance of the Fantastic Four into the MCU. Long rumored, teased, and anticipated, their formal introduction is finally within reach.

The ship’s descent is observed by the newly dubbed New Avengers, who are visibly stunned. This isn’t just a tease—it’s a major turning point. The Fantastic Four are not just another super-team. They’re Marvel’s first family, blending cosmic science fiction, grounded relationships, and unmatched powers. Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm bring with them a whole new mythos that expands the MCU’s boundaries from Earth-centric to cosmic and dimensional.

The upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps, scheduled for July 2025, promises to explore their origin story, potentially within the multiverse framework established in recent MCU films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Loki. The post-credits reveal also suggests a bolder, more confident team design and characterization—an evolution from prior cinematic versions that struggled to resonate with fans.

This crossover isn’t just fan service; it’s a strategic integration. The Fantastic Four’s scientific and space-faring background provides the perfect bridge between Earth’s politics (as seen in Thunderbolts) and the cosmic calamities teased in Eternals, Guardians of the Galaxy, and upcoming multiversal threats. Their arrival hints at forthcoming collisions—not just of powers, but of ideologies and realities.

This development could also signal future rivalries or partnerships. Reed Richards and Bruce Banner? Sue Storm and Captain Marvel? The possibilities are endless—and exhilarating.

4. Avengers: Doomsday—Marvel’s Next Crossover Juggernaut

As the credits fade and the audience catches their breath, one final message appears on screen: “The New Avengers and Bob will return.” This teaser doesn’t just hint at a sequel—it launches the hype for Avengers: Doomsday, slated for May 2026. Marvel’s next ensemble epic is shaping up to be more than a continuation—it’s a convergence.

What makes Avengers: Doomsday particularly thrilling is the cast of characters reportedly involved. Rumors and strategic leaks suggest appearances from the Thunderbolts, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men from the original Fox franchise, and even legacy characters. Most jaw-droppingly, Robert Downey Jr. is set to return—not as Tony Stark, but as Victor Von Doom. Whether this Doom is a multiversal variant or the primary MCU version remains to be seen, but his inclusion changes everything.

Doom is more than a villain—he’s a philosophical counterweight to characters like Reed Richards and a geopolitical threat with mystic, scientific, and dictatorial prowess. His arrival suggests that Doomsday will transcend mere team battles and delve into deeper existential and power conflicts. It also opens the door for Doctor Doom-centric arcs, potentially reshaping entire phases of the MCU.

From a structural standpoint, Doomsday looks to be Marvel’s boldest attempt at multiversal and franchise synthesis. Much like Avengers: Endgame, it’s not just a movie—it’s a climax, a celebration, and a turning point. It will test the new generation of heroes, challenge past alliances, and reframe the MCU’s moral compass.

With so many players on the board, Doomsday could also reset or realign the multiverse, paving the way for the rumored Secret Wars storyline and potentially rewriting the Marvel universe as we know it.

5. Marvel’s Next Phase: Complexity, Cohesion, and Cosmic Ambitions

Thunderbolts may have started as a standalone experiment in Marvel’s anti-hero portfolio, but its post-credits scenes launch a domino effect that reshapes the MCU’s trajectory. By rebranding a controversial team, introducing the Fantastic Four, and teasing Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel has signaled its next thematic phase: complexity.

This complexity isn’t just narrative—it’s tonal and philosophical. No longer confined to binary battles of good vs. evil, Marvel’s storytelling now embraces ambiguity, redemption, and ideological friction. The MCU’s new heroes aren’t paragons—they’re messier, more human, and more reflective of today’s fractured world. That’s why characters like Ghost, Red Guardian, and Yelena Belova matter—they make the world of superheroes feel more lived-in.

Additionally, the careful integration of legacy and new properties—from the X-Men to the Fantastic Four—reveals Marvel’s commitment to long-term, cohesive world-building. Rather than rush through introductions, they’re threading stories with patience and interconnected purpose.

Marvel is also leaning heavily into cosmic and multiversal narratives. With threats that transcend time and space, the stakes are now metaphysical. How do you protect a world when its very timeline is unstable? That’s the question Marvel is now posing—and slowly answering.

The Thunderbolts post-credits scene doesn’t just entertain. It challenges, provokes, and sets up a universe teetering on the edge of transformation. For fans and newcomers alike, the message is clear: Marvel’s next era is here, and it’s more unpredictable—and thrilling—than ever.

From: Btgiftnest