Marvel Studios has officially rebranded its latest theatrical release, Thunderbolts*, following the film’s debut in theaters. The asterisk that puzzled fans throughout the film’s promotional run finally pays off in-story, marking a deliberate pivot for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s evolving ensemble of heroes.
By the conclusion of Thunderbolts*, the original team name is effectively retired. Instead, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, holds a press conference to reveal a new identity for the group: The New Avengers. The renaming repositions the team within the broader MCU structure and signals Marvel’s intention to extend the Avengers label into its next narrative phase.
Presenting Marvel Studios' #̶T̶h̶u̶n̶d̶e̶r̶b̶o̶l̶t̶s̶* #TheNewAvengers.
— Marvel Studios* (@MarvelStudios) May 5, 2025
Now playing only in theaters. Get tickets: https://t.co/bFq0RNeRhc pic.twitter.com/ACemttyCx3
The lineup of the newly branded team includes Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen). While each has operated on the margins of the superhero spectrum, their forced cooperation and shared experiences anchor them as a pragmatic—if unconventional—successor to the original Avengers.
The film’s post-credits scene advances the timeline by 14 months, placing the New Avengers at the former Avengers headquarters, now known as the Watchtower. They’re embroiled in a legal dispute with Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) over the rights to use the “Avengers” name, adding a humorous but pointed commentary on legacy and ownership within the franchise. The scene then pivots to something more significant: a spacecraft bearing the Fantastic Four insignia enters Earth’s orbit. The moment directly sets up a crossover with Marvel’s First Family, laying the groundwork for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, which is currently filming in London.
With this shift, Marvel Studios has confirmed that all official branding and marketing will now refer to the film as The New Avengers. The rebrand appears to be more than just cosmetic. It positions the film more clearly within the overarching MCU arc and attaches it to the enduring appeal of the Avengers name. Commercially, the movie’s opening weekend gross of $76 million domestically places it in the range of titles like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, signaling moderate but solid audience interest.
This strategic renaming may also serve a practical purpose. With the original Avengers lineup disbanded and no longer fronting new releases, Marvel appears focused on reactivating one of its most recognizable banners to maintain continuity and momentum. Whether this newer, grittier version of the Avengers resonates with audiences in the long term remains to be seen, but the pieces are now firmly in place for a crossover-heavy next chapter.
