10 Characters That Could Make Up The MCU's Thunderbolts
Marvel's Suicide Squad are heavily rumoured to be making their way to the MCU.
When Kevin Feige unveiled the entire phase four slate back in 2019, there was the notable omission of one of the staples of the previous three phases, an Avengers movie. Usually the exclamation point at the end of an MCU chapter, phase four will seemingly have to go without.
The next set of movies was also announced without a third instalment of the Guardians of the Galaxy, although we do know this will be coming eventually. With the future of Earth's Mightiest Heroes in doubt after losing several key members throughout Endgame, and the Guardians rumoured to be bowing out of the franchise after Volume 3, there is room in the MCU for a new super team.
Enter the Thunderbolts - a team of reformed villains working together in what will be the Marvel Cinematic Universe's answer to the Suicide Squad.
There are several different rumours surrounding how and when the team will be introduced, but at this point it seems a matter of when, rather than if the Thunderbolts will make an appearance. With over ten years' worth of MCU characters to draw from - and many more from the source material - there is no shortage of options that could make up this brand new iteration of the team...
10. Thaddeus Ross
Since his introduction to the MCU in The Incredible Hulk in 2008, Thaddeus Ross has (secretly) been one of the most important characters in the franchise. He was watching as the Avengers destroyed city after city, brought the Sokovia Accords into effect, and was the reason Captain America and Black Widow had to go into hiding.
The character is also set to feature in the future of the MCU and as early as the franchise's very next instalment, Black Widow. There are currently no confirmed details surrounding his role in the movie, but the prevailing theory is that he will create the Thunderbolts.
It is the man's nickname after all, and if there is an MCU version of the team in the works, it's hard to imagine that Thaddeus Ross won't be involved. Though he may only be overseeing the team in a similar way to Nick Fury's impact on the Avengers, there is every chance he could finally bring with him his alter ego from the comics - the Red Hulk.
Ross may begin to assemble his team as early as Marvel Studios' very next outing, possibly starting the recruitment process with a Black Widow post-credit scene...