Summary
Even thoughThunderbolts*has wrapped filming, the plot remains under wraps. Could the latest trailer leak finally reveal it?
Marvel has mostly kept leaks about their upcoming films in check, butThunderbolts*has become the latest target of online leaks. While major plot details remain hidden, some plot snippets have surfaced, even confirming a significant previous rumor.
A snippet of the firstThunderbolts*trailer was shown at San Diego Comic-Con in late July, but it leaked online a few weeks later. Surprisingly, the online discourse suggests that Marvel fans are generally pleased with what they saw.According to @cosmic_marvel, the leaked footage featured some exciting elements, including Yelena Belova, other familiar characters, a few action-packed scenes, and a major setup for the antiheroes.
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The leaked footage offers a deeper look into Belova’s (played by Florence Pugh) journey, highlighting her both in combat and in emotionally charged interactions. One of the most significant scenes shows her reunion withher adoptive father, Red Guardian(played by David Harbour). This moment is bittersweet, as it becomes clear that Belova and Red Guardian are in very different places, emotionally and mentally. Belova is shown to be struggling with an identity crisis, searching for a sense of purpose after the events ofBlack Widow. She candidly admits that her current purpose is “killing others”. In contrast, Red Guardian appears to have found some measure of peace and happiness in his life. Another key sequence features Belova in a fierce battle against U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) in a mysterious warehouse. This scene is particularly significant because both U.S. Agent and Ghost have been absent from the Marvel Cinematic Universe for some time - U.S. Agent was last seen inThe Falcon and The Winter Soldier(2021), while Ghost has not appeared sinceAnt-Man and The Wasp(2018). The footage highlights an intense fight scene for Belova,reminiscent of Black Widow’s iconic battleinIron Man 2. This seems to be a deliberate nod to Belova’s roots and training under Black Widow.
The leak has confirmed a major piece of speculation that had been circulating for months. Recent rumors had suggested thatThunderbolts*would bring together a team of antiheroes in a manner similar to DC’sSuicide Squad. The leaked footage reveals that the antiheroes will be assigned the same mission, which, as it turns out, is part of a much larger setup.According to the rumors, Yelena Belova, U.S. Agent, Ghost, and Taskmaster will be sent on this mission by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, to eliminate a mysterious target. The footage does not clarify the identity of this enigmatic figure or how other characters might be involved in the plot. However, it does confirm that the previous speculation about the movie’s premise was accurate all along.
On a lighter note, the trailer provides some exciting updates about the characters' appearances. Ghost will be sporting a completely new costume in the movie. Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) is also set to receive a fresh new outfit, although these are the only two costume updates confirmed so far. Additionally, Bucky Barnes briefly appears in the trailer, showcasing his iconic metal arm and even wearing a suit. Notably, he has his long hair back, a surprising change from the shorter style seen in earlier promo photos. Despite these intriguing visual updates, the leaked footagedoes not reveal any major plot detailsor new information about the story that was not already known. Fans will need to remain patient and wait for further official releases to get a clearer picture of what is in store forThunderbolts*.
