How Marvel Could Bring Netflix Heroes Into MCU Phase 4

Falcon and the Winter Soldier kickstarted theories that Marvel was putting together the Thunderbolts – a team of criminals working for the government. Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared as the mysterious Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who recruited former Captain America John Walker to be the ‘U.S. Agent’, leader of a new team of heroes.

Many fans believe this team will end up being the MCU version of the Thunderbolts, with Black Widow’s sister Yelena Belova the next recruit on Valentina’s hitlist.

If the concept sounds familiar, then yes, it is practically the Marvel version of DC’s Suicide Squad. So much so in fact, that members of the Thunderbolts team even joke about the similarity in the recent King in Black: Thunderbolts graphic novel.

It’s easy to see how The Punisher could fit into this gritty group of villains turned vigilantes, but it could also work for Thunderbolts to have to become temporary allies with heroes like Daredevil or Luke Cage. In the aforementioned King in Black: Thunderbolts graphic novel, we even see Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist battling villain Knull’s army of space dragons while the Thunderbolts embark on a secret mission.

Oh, and did we mention the Thunderbolts are managed by Wilson Fisk? Now that the big bad has made his MCU return in the Disney+ Hawkeye series, maybe this will be his next move.