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Well, in most territories, anyway.

UK fans will be able to watch it a day earlier on May 1.

Red Guardian, Ghost, Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and US agent stand in an elevator in Marvel�s Thunderbolts film

Thunderbolts will bring down the curtain on Marvel Phase 5’s movie line-up

Huzzahs all around for those of us who live in that country.

Thunderboltswas first announced by Marvel in June 2022and, initially, it was set to arrive in December 2024.

However, the 2023 Hollywood writer and actor strikesled to multiple Marvel movies being delayed, includingThunderbolts*.

Ghost, Yelena, Red Guardian, and John Walker looking shocked at something happening off-camera in Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie

Thunderbolts will charge into cinemas worldwide in early May

Thankfully, it hasn’t suffered further delays, so it’s still slated to arrive in May.

Thunderbolts trailer

The official trailer forThunderboltswas released during Super Bowl LIX.

Before that,Thunderbolts’first trailer was released publicly last Septemberfollowing its exclusive debut at D23 Expo 2024.

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* | Big Game Trailer | In Theaters May 2 - YouTube

Pugh’s Belova, aka the movie’s lead, was first introduced inBlack Widow.

She’s the sister of Natasha Romanoff, aka the MCU’s original Black Widow.

The popular Avengers sacrificed herself inAvengers: Endgameto allow Clint Barton/Hawkeye to retrieve the Soul Stone on Vormir.

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* | Teaser Trailer | Only In Theaters May 2025 - YouTube

Belova was last seen inHawkeyeonDisney+where, suspecting Barton was behind Romanoff’s death, tried to kill him.

Harbour’s Shoshtakov and Kurylenko’s Dreykov also made their MCU debuts inBlack Widow.

a super-soldier who wields a shield.

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* | D23 Brazil Special Look | In Theaters May 2, 2025 - YouTube

Stan’s Barnes needs no introduction.

He’s been an MCU ever-present since 2011’sCaptain America: The First Avenger,appearing in nine Marvel properties.

This story beat was revealed inBrave New World read myCaptain America 4ending explainedpiece for more details.

ABSOLUTE CINEMA | MARVEL STUDIOS’ THUNDERBOLTS* | MAY 2 - YouTube

Wyatt’s Walker was an antagonistic figure inFATWS.

She’s responsible for sending Belova after Barton, too.

Oh, and she’ll be helped by Viswanathan’s Mel, who’s her aide in this flick.

Red Guardian, Ghost, US Agent, and Yelena Belova tied up in Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie

Thunderbolts will feature plenty of familiar faces

Like Belova and Walker, it appears Fontaine hires her to conduct secret missions.

Rounding out the main cast isMCU newcomer Pullman, who’ll portray Bob Reynolds.

However, Reynolds harbors a dark secret.

James ‘Bucky’ Barnes smiling at a woman in Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie

James ‘Bucky’ Barnes was last seen in Captain America: Brave New World

If it manages to mentally overpower Reynolds and Sentry, it uses its abilities to cause wanton destruction.

Want even more details on these characters and their comic book backstories?

To gain access to a library of more than 30,000 comics, use the code ‘SPIDEY50’ at checkout.

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine smiling at Yelena Belova in Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is behind the Thunderbolts team’s formation

Thunderbolts story synopsis and speculation

Possible spoilers follow forThunderbolts*.

The “death trap” aspect won’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s seen the trailers.

The big question on everyone’s minds is why Fontaine is sending these mercenaries to their apparent deaths.

Marvel Unlimited monthly subscription: $9.99$4.99 at Marve

Is she simply trying to tie up some loose ends?

In my view, that’s the most likely explanation.

Yes, that’s the same skyscraper that Tony Stark owned until his death inAvengers: Endgame.

The titular Thunderbolts teams standing in the building formerly known as Avengers Tower in Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie

It seems that the titular group of anti-heroes weren’t assembled for a righteous cause

Anyway, each team member will be dealing with their own insecurities in thisMarvel Phase 5film.

The trailer shows a disenchanted Belova going through the motions before she seeks out Shoshtakov for emotional support.

Then there’s Reynolds who has his supervillain-esque internal issue to continually quell.

US Agent and Ghost standing in a red-lit room in Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie

US Agent and Ghost are two of Fontaine’s mercenaries who are seemingly sent on a suicide mission

Thunderboltswon’t be a wholly melancholy affair.

But back to something I mentioned many paragraphs ago: what does the asterisk allude to?

Right now, fans have two suggestions: Dark Avengers or New Avengers.

Bob Reynolds holding his hands up in Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie

Say hi to Bob, everyone

The former would befit this team of not-so-morally upstanding individuals.

We’ll see if either of those theories is correct soon.

What Marvel movies and shows do I need to watch before Thunderbolts?

A close up of Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova in Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie

Yelena Belova has appeared in two other live-action MCU projects

The short answer is: I don’t know, but that won’t stop me from speculating.

For more Marvel coverage, read my guides on thebest Marvel moviesandSpider-Man 4.

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US Agent, Bucky, Ghost, and Red Guardian walking through a street filled with rubble in Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie

Thunderbolts could establish plot threads that’ll be explored further in the next two Avengers films*