Thunderbolts* Art Reveals What Happened to Captain America’s Broken Shield

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An art book for the *Thunderbolts* series has revealed a story idea that didn’t make the cut. The concept revolved around Captain America’s shattered shield and how it might have been restored following the events of *Avengers: Endgame*.

Captain America’s shield could’ve been reassembled in Thunderbolts*

Captain America’s shattered shield was left unresolved at the end of Avengers: Endgame, but the upcoming movie Thunderbolts* almost showed what happened to it. Concept art from the book ‘Thunderbolts: The Art of the Movie’ shows early ideas for bringing the shield back into the story.

I remember seeing some early ideas for Thunderbolts* that were really interesting! Apparently, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine was supposed to get Captain America’s shield after Endgame and put it on display in the Avengers’ Watchtower. It would have made a direct connection between what happened in that big movie and the start of the Thunderbolts* story, which I think would have been a cool way to link everything together.

During the battle for Earth, Thanos broke Captain America’s shield. Steve Rogers later gave a new shield to Sam Wilson. Meanwhile, the cancellation of the Thunderbolts project left Val with the pieces of the original shield, increasing her power within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Val demonstrated her access to powerful artifacts in the film by organizing an exhibit featuring relics from the Battle of New York, including Loki’s scepter, Chitauri cuffs, and a piece of the Avengers Tower. Including Captain America’s shield would have made her collection even more impressive.

In *Thunderbolts*, Val was shown to be someone who both controlled others and had a strong interest in the history of the Avengers. An accompanying art book noted that when the Thunderbolts first encounter The Sentry in the Watchtower, there seems to be an increased amount of Avengers-related collectibles present, though details are difficult to discern.

The shield would have emphasized Val’s pattern of collecting relics from past conflicts while secretly pursuing her own goals. Later developments clarified why the shield wasn’t present. After the Endgame battle, Nick Fury sent Skrulls to gather DNA from the Avengers, and it seems odd they didn’t also retrieve the shield.

This clue hinted that Val might have secured the item first, demonstrating she could outsmart even Nick Fury. While Marvel ultimately changed course, the *Thunderbolts* project still showcased Val’s resources and her base of operations, the Watchtower. The movie used these elements to connect the events of past *Avengers* films with its new group of morally ambiguous heroes, ensuring the impact of *Endgame* continued to be felt.

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2025-09-16 09:17