These are the new kids on the block in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, those who fill the notable absence of the Avengers after Endgame and Infinity War. While Doomsday is eagerly awaited by longtime fans and the Fantastic Four must reshuffle the cards in a universe that is larger than it seems, it is with Thunderbolts* that viewers have a date in theaters this April 30. Under the direction of Jake Schreier, the project cultivates close ties with other offerings within the cinematic stable. With such a cast, it's hard to do otherwise. But what do you absolutely have to have seen?
Bucky Barnes at the epicenter
The studio's new film takes place in a post-Endgame context and while the Avengers have disappeared. Faced with the proliferation of threats and the inability of institutions to address them, President Thaddeus Ross, aka the Thunderbolts orders the creation of a team of superheroes to defend humanity. These heroes are not paragons of wisdom and good manners, since most of them are in fact former criminals.
This is particularly the case for Bucky Barnes, who followed Steve Rogers on the run after the events of Civil War. Sebastian Stan's character is one of the few to have appeared in all phases of the MCU, but there's no need to revisit his entire career to grasp the ins and outs of this new story.
We still recommend rewatching Captain America and the Winter Soldier, which revolves around a dark period in his history. It's about the mental manipulation he suffered and which is still at the epicenter of his development. It will also be said that Civil War is another must-see to better understand the role he played in the breakup of the Avengers and the falling out between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers.
Yelena Belova takes center stage
After Scarlett Johansson's departure, Marvel found a replacement. She was introduced to viewers in Black Widow, she is Natasha's adoptive sister. Cate Shortland's film focused on their relationship in a makeshift home, a family created from scratch by the Russian secret services to monitor Americans. It was also with this film that audiences discovered Red Guardian, a reverse mirror of Captain America played by David Harbour. It might be useful to rewatch the film released in 2021 on our screens, to better understand their relationship. We can also only advise you to watch the episodes dedicated to Yelena in Hawkeye, they offer a conclusion to the heroine's story and the links with her sister who sacrificed herself to save the world in Endgame.
Characters who have been around the MCU for a while
Although they are the faces of this new adventure, Bucky and Yelena will not be the only ones to return for Thunderbolts*. In addition to Red Guardian, the film will feature Ghost, seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp, as well as Taskmaster from Black Widow. John Walker, aka US Agent, was at the heart of the series Falcon and the Winter Soldier released on Disney+ in 2021.
Moreover, we can say that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has lifted some gray areas about Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, the leader of this new kind of squad. After a notable appearance in Falcon and the Winter Soldier and a stint in the post-credits scene of Black Widow, she was at the heart of Shuri's adventures, which will be released in 2022 at the cinema.
In brief
- Captain America and the Winter Soldier
- Captain America: Civil War
- Black Widow
- Hawkeye
- Falcon and the Winter Soldier
- Ant-Man and the Wasp
- Black Panther 2
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