I’m Glad Thunderbolts Scrapped Its Original Post-Credits Scene for the One We Got Instead

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Caution: This discussion reveals key plot points from Marvel’s Thunderbolts. I’m relieved Marvel Studios decided against their initial concepts for the Thunderbolts post-credits sequences. The movie centers around a group of questionable Marvel Cinatic Universe characters with checkered pasts, who eventually banded together to become genuine heroes. Consequently, the post-credits scene presented is vital to their transformation (in contrast, the one we nearly got didn’t seem to serve the same purpose).

In Marvel’s “Thunderbolts,” we see the reappearance of characters like Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, John Walker, and even briefly, Taskmaster. These individuals were once working for Val and OXE Group before teaming up as the Thunderbolts to combat Bob, who transforms into The Void. By the film’s conclusion, Val bestows a new team name upon them, clarifying the asterisk in the “Thunderbolts*” title.

However, it can be convincingly argued that the ending of “Thunderbolts*” might not have had as much impact if Marvel had stuck with its initial post-credits scene.

The Main Thunderbolts* Post-Credits Scene Is One Of The Most Important Scenes In The Entire Movie

Establishing The Newest MCU Team While Laying Groundwork For The Future

Following the Thunderbolts successfully restoring Bob’s command over the Void, they shift their focus towards Val, who tricked them into fighting each other earlier and then commanded Sentry to eliminate them. In a last-ditch effort to escape punishment from the Thunderbolts, Washington, and public opinion, Val conducts an unexpected press conference at the end of “Thunderbolts”, praising the team for saving the city and telling the media that they’ve been secretly working under her as “The New Avengers.

The final scenes for Thunderbolts* solidify this new team as the New Avengers, working from the old Avengers Tower with revamped uniforms and resources 14 months later. These closing moments not only verify their public recognition as The New Avengers, but also indicate that they’ve come together as a group of heroes they never imagined they could be. Furthermore, these scenes hint at both Fantastic Four: First Steps and Avengers: Doomsday, making it one of the film’s most crucial in terms of Marvel Cinematic Universe connectivity.

Based On The Thunderbolts* Director’s Comments About The Original Post-Credits Scene, I Think The New Scene Is Better For The Movie

Guinea Pigs Would Have Been Cute, But Way Less Significant

Contemplating the real post-credit scene and considering what could have been for the Thunderbolts*, it’s fascinating to imagine their original plans. In an interview with Collider, director Jake Schreier disclosed that the initial concept for the movie’s post-credits sequence aimed to delve into the destiny of the guinea pig Yelena Belova rescued from the OXE Group’s lab at the film’s start. This scene would have featured the guinea pig within the Void, scampering through various shaming rooms.

It’s been uncovered that initial versions of the film featured Kang in the post-credits scene for Thunderbolts during the time when Avengers 5 was known as The Kang Dynasty. Similarly, Baron Zemo was under consideration for a surprise appearance in the upcoming MCU film. This would have linked to the character’s previous ties with the Thunderbolts team from the original Marvel Comics.

It’s fortunate that ultimately, there was room allocated in the film for viewers to absorb the “New Avengers” unveiling gradually. This was initially achieved by displaying various media headlines about the new team during the credits, followed by mid and post-credits scenes portraying them as a well-established superhero group with updated uniforms. I believe this approach worked best because the name change and significant shift in the MCU’s status quo would have seemed much more abrupt if introduced abruptly, as it might have been even more jarring than it currently appears.

Why Thunderbolts*’ Post-Credits Scene Is So Perfect For The MCU Movie

Becoming The Heroes They Never Thought They Could Be

In summary, the post-credits scene in Thunderbolts is significant on numerous thrilling and essential aspects. It solidifies their role as the New Avengers, shows their contrast to Captain America’s assembled Avengers, and sets up future events hinted at within the next two years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Such a crucial scene wouldn’t have been possible without it, making it challenging to envision the movie’s conclusion without it.

Thunderbolts* is now playing in theaters from Marvel Studios.

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2025-05-29 05:49