The Shocking Truth: Are There Post-Credit Scenes In Thunderbolts*? (Two Scenes Explained)
The question on every Marvel fan's mind regarding the latest anti-hero team-up, *Thunderbolts*, has a definitive, and surprising, answer. As of the latest reports and detailed leaks surfacing in late December 2025, the film not only includes a post-credit scene but features two—a mid-credits scene and an end-credits sequence—that are arguably some of the most consequential in the entire Multiverse Saga. These scenes are not mere teases; they fundamentally reshape the MCU's future, directly setting the stage for the next major crossover event, *Avengers: Doomsday*. We break down the fresh details on both sequences, including the unexpected return of two legendary MCU directors for a crucial moment.
The May 2, 2025, release of *Thunderbolts*** (or *The New Avengers*, as the team is reportedly renamed) marks a pivotal moment in Phase Six. The film, directed by Jake Schreier, centers on a government-sanctioned team of morally ambiguous heroes and reformed villains assembled by the shadowy Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Val). While the main plot focuses on their high-stakes mission, it's the post-credit sequences that deliver the true gut-punch, confirming the team's new identity and their role in the impending Multiverse-level crisis.
The *Thunderbolts*** Anti-Hero Roster and Key Personnel
The *Thunderbolts*** ensemble cast is a powerhouse of returning MCU characters, each with a complex and often dark history. Their collective biography is essential context for understanding the high-stakes nature of the post-credit reveals.
- Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova / Black Widow: The de facto leader of the team, continuing her journey after *Black Widow* and *Hawkeye*.
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier: A former assassin and key figure, providing the team's moral compass and military expertise.
- David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian: Russia's version of Captain America, whose comedic relief is reportedly central to the first post-credit scene.
- Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent: A disgraced former Captain America who now operates as a government operative with a chip on his shoulder.
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Val): The mastermind behind the team, serving as their shadowy government handler.
- Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost: A character with phasing abilities, last seen in *Ant-Man and the Wasp*.
- Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster: A skilled assassin capable of mimicking any opponent's fighting style.
- Lewis Pullman as Sentry: A new, immensely powerful addition to the MCU, whose presence is a major wildcard.
- Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel: A new character reportedly serving as Val's assistant or a liaison for the team.
Mid-Credits Scene Explained: Red Guardian's Hilarious Interlude
Marvel Studios has a long-standing tradition of using the mid-credits slot for a lighter, more comedic scene that offers a brief, self-contained moment of levity or a minor character update. *Thunderbolts*** reportedly adheres to this formula, but with a uniquely Red Guardian twist.
This first stinger, which plays shortly after the main credits begin, is described as a joke scene with little bearing on the wider plot of the Multiverse Saga.
The Wheaties Box Gag: The scene reportedly features Alexei Shostakov, the Red Guardian, in a grocery store. He is shown pressuring a woman—or perhaps a store employee—to purchase a Wheaties cereal box that prominently features his face. This moment is a perfect encapsulation of Alexei's character: a washed-up, glory-seeking hero clinging to his past fame. It serves as a brief, hilarious palate cleanser before the major narrative bomb drops at the very end of the film.
Another, highly specific leak suggests a humorous nod to a piece of pop culture, with one character, possibly Bob, seen reading Rick Rubin's book "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" in a moment of quiet reflection, though this detail may be part of a different character's mid-credit beat.
The Game-Changing End-Credits Scene: Introducing The New Avengers and *Avengers: Doomsday*
The true shocker of *Thunderbolts*** arrives at the very end of the credits, in the final post-credit scene. This sequence is not just a teaser; it is a monumental narrative shift that directly renames the team and sets the stage for the MCU’s next major arc, making it one of the most important end-credits scenes in recent memory.
The Name Change and The Asterisk: The search results strongly indicate that the team officially rebrands itself as "The New Avengers" by the film's conclusion. This name change reportedly explains the mysterious asterisk in the movie's title, *Thunderbolts***, suggesting the asterisk acts as a footnote to their temporary or original name.
A Lawsuit and Sam Wilson's Role: The end-credits scene reportedly features the newly formed New Avengers team discussing their next steps, which are complicated by external pressures. One of the most surprising details is the mention that Sam Wilson, the current Captain America, is "suing them." This immediately establishes a conflict between the government-backed, morally gray New Avengers and the established, morally upright heroes, building a crucial tension for future MCU projects.
The *Avengers: Doomsday* Connection: Most critically, this final scene serves as the official, consequential setup for the next major event film, *Avengers: Doomsday*. Reports suggest the scene delivers the first actual glimpse of the climactic Multiverse Saga movie. The actions and formation of The New Avengers are directly tied to the impending doom, suggesting they will either be instrumental in the crisis or, more likely, a problematic force that the established heroes must contend with.
The Russo Brothers' Secret Return: Adding to the significance, the director of *Thunderbolts*, Jake Schreier, revealed that this pivotal, consequential end-credits scene was not originally intended to be in the film and was actually directed by *Avengers: Endgame* directors Joe and Anthony Russo. Their involvement underscores the sheer importance of this final sequence in connecting *Thunderbolts* directly to the next phase of the MCU's overarching storyline.
What This Means for the MCU's Multiverse Saga
The existence of two such distinct post-credit scenes, particularly the second, confirms that *Thunderbolts*** is far more than a standalone anti-hero flick. It is a foundational piece of the Multiverse Saga. The New Avengers now stand as a major faction, potentially challenging the authority of existing heroes like Captain America.
The establishment of The New Avengers, coupled with the direct link to *Avengers: Doomsday*, suggests a major power vacuum or crisis in the MCU that necessitates the formation of a new, perhaps less scrupulous, team. The film is also reportedly connected to the *Fantastic Four* film (July 2025), further cementing its role as a nexus point for Phase Six. Fans should absolutely stay in their seats until the very last credit rolls, as the final scene is poised to be one of the most talked-about MCU moments of 2025.
Detail Author:
- Name : Hilda Johnson
- Username : qosinski
- Email : jwuckert@gmail.com
- Birthdate : 1999-03-24
- Address : 35469 Hamill Lodge East Darwin, DE 24304
- Phone : +1-949-890-1792
- Company : Mante PLC
- Job : Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator
- Bio : Aut et eius sit est. Totam qui quam cupiditate. Optio minima natus numquam ex repellendus sit maxime omnis. Quasi provident ad et eum quia animi sed. Quia aut impedit dolore suscipit.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/aylin.christiansen
- username : aylin.christiansen
- bio : Sunt qui dicta eveniet vero temporibus. Vel et laborum voluptas neque. Qui architecto hic tempore. Ad odit fugiat eum quaerat.
- followers : 4016
- following : 237
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@christiansena
- username : christiansena
- bio : Quis autem cupiditate repellendus quia nobis.
- followers : 126
- following : 1439
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/christiansena
- username : christiansena
- bio : Iusto totam modi consequatur occaecati.
- followers : 5315
- following : 1847
