The mystery solved: This is why Thunderbolts* has an asterisk at the end of its name
All the speculation has finally been answered*.
Ever since Marvel Studios announced Thunderbolts* with an unexpected asterisk at the end, fans have speculated about its meaning. Was it a stylistic choice? A hint at something bigger? Or just a small detail with no deeper significance?
Now, after the film’s release, the mystery is finally solved, and it turns out the asterisk symbolizes a major shift in the team’s identity, leading directly into the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
SPOILER ALERT: Major plot details ahead.
What does the asterisk mean in Thunderbolts*?
As revealed in the film’s final act, the Thunderbolts are rebranded under government sanction, transitioning into the New Avengers following their confrontation with The Void and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
During a press conference arranged by Valentina, the group is officially introduced to the world as the New Avengers, marking their evolution from a morally questionable black-ops team into a more publicly accepted group. The title card at the end of the movie visually confirms this shift, as the Thunderbolts logo morphs into “The New Avengers”, explaining the asterisk as a marker of their transformation.
Foreshadowing hidden in Marvel’s marketing
Interestingly, the asterisk wasn’t present when the film was first announced, leading to speculation that it was a late addition to tease the team’s rebranding.
Fans who noticed it theorized that the name hinted at the group’s uncertain status, with some guessing it referred to a roster shake-up or a deeper meaning behind their mission. Now, with the reveal of the New Avengers, it seems Marvel deliberately planted the clue long before the film’s release.
The mid-credits scene adds more context
In the mid-credits scene, set 14 months later, Red Guardian jokingly suggests alternate team names like “New Avengerz”, while the group discusses a lawsuit filed by Sam Wilson over their unauthorized use of the Avengers name. Bob expresses concern about becoming The Sentry again, fearing he might unleash The Void.
This comedic moment further solidifies the asterisk’s meaning, showing that the new branding is still up for debate within the team, even if the world sees them as Avengers now.
How does this impact the MCU?
The film ends with the New Avengers witnessing the arrival of the Fantastic Four on Earth-616, setting up future events in Fantastic Four: First Steps and Avengers: Doomsday.
With the Thunderbolts officially transitioning into the New Avengers, their future in the MCU now leads straight into Marvel’s next major crossover saga.
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