The New Avengers? Decoding The SHOCKING Thunderbolts* End-Credit Scenes And What They Mean For The MCU

The *Thunderbolts*** end-credit scenes have finally arrived and they are arguably the most consequential post-movie stingers since the Infinity Saga, fundamentally reshaping the trajectory of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As of December 2025, with the film already released in theaters and streaming on Disney+, the major leaks and official plot details confirm that the final moments of the movie do not just set up a sequel, but directly launch the next major superhero team and introduce a massive new conflict for the entire MCU. The scenes confirm the team’s new identity, hint at a major legal battle with a classic Avenger, and tease a cosmic threat that ties into a future Phase 6 project.

The Thunderbolts* Team: A Full Roster and Character Arcs

The *Thunderbolts* film, which serves as the final installment of MCU Phase 5, brings together a volatile collection of anti-heroes and reformed villains under the manipulative guidance of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The movie’s main narrative focuses on the moral ambiguities of this government-sanctioned team, with each member grappling with their past actions and complex character arcs**. The core roster of the *Thunderbolts*** includes:

• Yelena Belova: Played by Florence Pugh, Yelena's journey continues as the emotional anchor of the team, still dealing with the fallout from her mission against Clint Barton and the legacy of her sister, Natasha Romanoff.
• Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier: Sebastian Stan returns as Bucky, who acts as the reluctant leader, seeking to move past his dark history.
• U.S. Agent / John Walker: Wyatt Russell's controversial character, a former Captain America, brings a military edge and a constant moral conflict.
• Taskmaster: The assassin, Antonia Dreykov, whose skills allow her to mimic any fighter, serves as a wild card.
• Ghost / Ava Starr: A character with phasing abilities, whose powers are often unstable.
• Sentry / Robert Reynolds: A pivotal, and highly dangerous, new addition to the MCU, whose power is tied to the entity known as The Void.

The film culminates in a confrontation involving the immense power of Sentry, whose internal struggle with The Void is a major plot point, leading to a catastrophic event known as the Void's destruction.

Post-Credit Scene 1: The New Avengers and a Legal Battle

The first and most immediate post-credit scene delivers the biggest shocker: the *Thunderbolts* team has rebranded.

The Rebranding to 'New Avengers'

The team, having successfully completed their mission—likely a cover-up of the catastrophic events surrounding Sentry and The Void—is granted a new, public-facing identity. The agreement brokered by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine sees the team introduced to the world as the "New Avengers." This audacious move instantly establishes a new iteration of the iconic superhero team, but one with a morally ambiguous foundation built on secrets and government manipulation. This sets the stage for the next major saga, potentially leading into *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty* or *Avengers: Secret Wars*.

The Sam Wilson Lawsuit

The scene quickly pivots to the new team discussing their immediate problems, revealing that their use of the "Avengers" name is not going unchallenged. It is revealed that Sam Wilson, the current Captain America, is suing the newly formed group. This is a massive development, as it sets up a direct confrontation between the established, morally upright legacy of the Avengers, represented by Sam Wilson, and the government-backed, morally grey New Avengers. The conflict will likely be a central theme in subsequent MCU projects, exploring the true meaning of heroism in a post-Blip world.

Post-Credit Scene 2: The Cosmic Crisis and Fantastic Four Connection

The second post-credit scene shifts the focus from Earth-bound political and legal drama to a looming cosmic threat, directly connecting the *Thunderbolts* narrative to the wider Multiverse Saga**.

The Looming 'Space Crisis'

In the second stinger, the New Avengers (formerly the Thunderbolts) are heard discussing an urgent problem beyond Earth's atmosphere: a "space crisis." While the specifics are kept vague, this mention immediately raises the stakes and suggests the team will be forced to deal with cosmic entities or intergalactic threats. This aligns with the overarching theme of MCU Phase 5 and Phase 6, which has been building towards major cosmic events. This could potentially involve the Skrulls (following *Secret Invasion*), the Kree, or even the re-emergence of a major cosmic villain.

Debunking the Fantastic Four Theory

A crucial detail from the second scene is its impact on the upcoming *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* film. Speculation had run rampant that the ending of the Fantastic Four movie would feature a certain reveal or setup. However, the events and dialogue in the *Thunderbolts* second post-credit scene are said to directly contradict and debunk that popular fan theory. While the exact theory is not confirmed, this suggests a tight, interconnected narrative between the two films, confirming that the Fantastic Four's introduction will be a major event in the Multiverse Saga** and that the two teams' paths are destined to cross.

The Bigger Picture: Setting Up the MCU's Future

The two post-credit scenes cement *Thunderbolts* as a pivotal film, moving beyond its initial anti-hero premise to become a foundational pillar for the next era of the MCU. The establishment of the New Avengers creates a new power dynamic, forcing audiences to question who the *real* heroes are. The legal battle with Sam Wilson sets up a compelling internal conflict, while the space crisis ensures the team's future missions will have universe-level consequences. The film successfully introduces key entities like Sentry and The Void, and directly influences the narrative of the highly-anticipated Fantastic Four movie, guaranteeing that the fallout from *Thunderbolts* will be felt for years to come.