Thunderbolts* ending explained: How the team becomes the New Avengers

Summary:

• Thunderbolts* is now streaming on JioHotstar, marking the end of Marvel’s Phase 5.

• The film features Taskmaster’s death, Bob’s transformation into Sentry/Void, and New York’s rescue.

• The Thunderbolts are rebranded as the New Avengers, with teases for Fantastic Four and Phase 6.

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* is now streaming on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) in India from August 27, 2025, following its theatrical release on May 1, 2025. Despite its origins as a side project, the film has become an important part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In addition to wrapping up Phase 5, it introduces a revamped superhero squad, which changes the future of the MCU.

Film's only major death

There is just one major death in the film, and the trailers hinted at it. Ghost kills Taskmaster early in the film; he is conspicuously missing from the promotional materials. Ghost, Taskmaster, Yelena, and the US Agent are all set to face off at a clandestine OXE outpost in a mission orchestrated by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Her primary objective is to eliminate her liabilities. Ghost shoots Taskmaster, but he escapes the trap.

Afterwards, the Thunderbolts find Bob, who was the only one to survive Val's Sentry Project, which aimed to produce a being with extraordinary abilities. Val plans to employ Bob, who he transforms into Sentry, in a public defeat of the Thunderbolts. But Sentry knows that his divine abilities put him above Val's commands. Instead of killing him, Val turns him into the Void, a physical embodiment of his worst impulses, after he betrays her.

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Rise of the Void

By engulfing the Big Apple in darkness and ensnaring its inhabitants in recursive loops of their darkest memories, the Void releases mayhem. Yelena and her squad voluntarily go into the Void to find Bob. She persuades him that he has company instead of trying to crush it. Thanks to this help, Bob is able to put an end to the Void's killing spree and get New York back to normal.

Val is still able to spin the outcome, even when her schemes have failed. She renames the Thunderbolts the New Avengers at a news conference. The asterisk in the title of the film was hinting at this surprise the whole time, as the ending credits confirm. But the Thunderbolts are still cautious, and Yelena told Val, "We own you now."

Mixed public reaction

Media headlines have dubbed them "Not My Avengers" and "B-Vengers", which has caused a mixed reaction from the public. While the post-credit scene establishes the future of the MCU, the mid-credit sequence provides comedic relief as Red Guardian celebrates their newfound celebrity.

Sam Wilson registers for copyright to the Avengers name in the closing scene, which leaps fourteen months forward, while the team is at their new headquarters. An unidentified spacecraft suddenly appears in Earth's orbit just as they are debating the continuing cosmic dangers. Michael Giacchino's score accompanies a preview for the upcoming film The Fantastic Four: First Steps as the logo appears in the background.

Thunderbolts* sets up Phase 6 and the future of the MCU

The film Thunderbolts* sets up a bigger battle that may be connected to cosmic events and introduces a contentious new superhero squad. The Fantastic Four tease sets the stage for Phase 6, which is expected to focus on concerns of legitimacy, leadership, and the true Avengers.

FAQs:

Q: What happens at the end of Thunderbolts*?

At the end of Thunderbolts*, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine rebrands the team as The New Avengers after they defeat the Void in New York. The closing credits confirm that the asterisk in the film’s title hinted at this new name.

Q: Who dies in Thunderbolts*?

The only major character who dies in Thunderbolts* is Taskmaster. She is killed early in the movie by Ghost during a mission orchestrated by Val.

Q: What is the Void in Thunderbolts*?

The Void is the dark alter ego of Bob/Sentry. After Val’s kill switch is triggered, Sentry transforms into the Void, unleashing shadows over New York and trapping people in time loops of their worst memories.