Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts is set to be released in 2025. The confirmed team members are said to be the founder Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, AKA Red Hulk, field leader Bucky Barnes, AKA the Winter Soldier, Yelena Belova, AKA Black Widow, Ava Starr, AKA Ghost, Alexei Shostakov, AKA Red Guardian, Antonia Dreykov, AKA Taskmaster, and John Walker, AKA U.S. Agent.
That’s a pretty solid lineup, but it would’ve been nice to see some other Marvel Cinematic Universe antagonists joining the team.
These are five Marvel villains who should’ve teamed up with Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova and the rest of the Thunderbolts in their upcoming eponymous MCU movie.
Emil Blonsky, AKA Abomination
It was hoped – and assumed – for a long time that Tim Roth’s Emil Blonsky, AKA Abomination, would be a member of the MCU’s Thunderbolts. The character first appeared in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, only to reemerge in 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and then again in 2022’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law miniseries. Now reformed after a spell in Damage Control’s supermax prison, he has established the Abomaste self-healing support group. He’d be an ideal candidate for Thunderbolts membership, but maybe one hulking beast on the team is enough.
Justin Hammer
The MCU’s Thunderbolts line-up is glaringly missing a member with an Iron Man-esque powerful suit of armor. That’s where Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer should’ve come in. Hammer has thus far appeared in 2010’s Iron Man 2 and 2014’s short film All Hail the King, and as irritating as he is, he’s brilliantly played by the widely loved Rockwell, whose return in the franchise would be most welcome. Hammer is currently in custody at Seagate Penitentiary and would surely relish the opportunity to join the Thunderbolts if it meant gaining his freedom in return. Rockwell pleaded ignorance when asked about Thunderbolts but suggested he’d be up for returning to the MCU if asked.
Helmut Zemo
Helmut Zemo is a prominent member of the Thunderbolts in Marvel’s comic books. He formed the original team in 1997’s The Incredible Hulk #449. Sadly, there’s no sign of him joining the MCU version of the antiheroes. Daniel Brühl played the character in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War and 2021’s miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He is incarcerated in the Raft for his crimes. His spectacular planning skills – which succeeded in splitting the Avengers down the middle – would be invaluable for the team. Brühl has said he’d be happy to return to the franchise if the opportunity arose, so maybe it’ll happen in the future.
Kreega
It would be superb if the MCU’s Thunderbolts had a Skrull on their team, but there aren’t many villainous ones left. Irmena Chichikova’s Kreega is the most senior of those still alive, having worked as a rebel Skrull commander under Gravik’s leadership in 2023’s Secret Invasion miniseries. Moreover, she’s among the few rebels who showed remorse and discomfort at Gravik’s ruthless actions. She would, therefore, be perfect for the Thunderbolts, as she’d see joining the team as an opportunity to redeem herself. Her shapeshifting skills would also be priceless regarding covert missions, but sadly, there’s no sign of her reappearing in the franchise.
Titania
Jameela Jamil’s Titania appeared in 2022’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law miniseries as a superpowered social influencer who became an enemy of the eponymous Jennifer Walters after an encounter in a court. Having been charged with a traffic offense, the character went on to cause a lot of damage with her superstrength, which may have got her further in trouble with the law. An excellent way to have her make amends would be to join the Thunderbolts. It would be worth it just for the laughs, as she’s one of the most conspicuous characters in the MCU. Watching her attempt to carry out covert missions would be hilarious – although her powers would undoubtedly be helpful for the team.
