Marvel fans have finally cracked the mystery behind the title of the upcoming movie THUNDERBOLTS*—and it’s causing a lot of excitement! Before the film’s official release, special fan screenings in the U.S. revealed some big secrets, including the meaning behind the puzzling asterisk (*) in the title.
At these exclusive showings, fans got to watch the entire movie along with the post-credit scenes, which are famous for teasing what’s next in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Spoilers quickly spread online, explaining the meaning of that little asterisk that’s had everyone guessing for months.
For a long time, fans have been wondering if the asterisk hinted at a connection to the “New Avengers,” a fresh team lineup from the comics. Now, thanks to these sneak peeks, it’s confirmed—the asterisk actually stands for New Avengers. The movie’s final title card makes it clear: this group of misfit heroes will be coming back as the New Avengers in future Marvel stories.
One character, Bob—played by Lewis Pullman—was also confirmed to return in upcoming MCU movies. This helps link the film to a famous Marvel Comics storyline called “Avengers Disassembled” by Brian Michael Bendis, which reshaped the Avengers team in a big way.
Directed by Jake Schreier, THUNDERBOLTS* takes a darker, more complicated approach. Instead of classic heroes, the story focuses on a group of morally grey characters—meaning they’re neither purely good nor bad. The cast includes well-known actors like Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, and Hannah John-Kamen.
In the movie, these characters are sent on a secret mission by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, a mysterious figure in the MCU. As they carry out their orders, they have to confront their troubled pasts and navigate a dangerous trap that could change everything.
Rather than setting up a straightforward sequel, the film uses the New Avengers reveal to show that Marvel is shaking up its superhero teams and preparing for bigger changes ahead in the MCU.
THUNDERBOLTS* will be released worldwide in theaters on May 2, 2025.