The brand new Thunderbolts trailer is the origin story of Val’s discount Avengers, and I don’t think Val wants what her own team wants.
That’s where I landed about ninety seconds after it ended, and I want you to know how fresh this is. The trailer dropped, I ran downstairs, I turned the lights on, and I hit play with the camera rolling. What you’re getting is a genuine first reaction. My first words when it finished were “wow, wow, just wow,” followed by a whole lot of “okay.” So let me work it out.
Val’s Discount Avengers
It’s very cool, and it’s clearly the origin story of the Thunderbolts, which by my reckoning is Val’s discount Avengers, slash Suicide Squad, to borrow an analogy. You can call them Marvel’s Suicide Squad if you want, and I don’t actually think that’s what they’re going to be, but they’re definitely borrowing from that energy.
The trailer hands you the difference itself. Everybody gets thrown into the same room and starts fighting, and then somebody finally does the math out loud: “Everyone here has done bad things. Shadow ops, robbing government labs, contract kills.” So someone wants them gone. In The Suicide Squad they’re all criminals being given a quote unquote opportunity against their will. This feels more like a group of people who want redemption.
Yelena Goes to Dad First
I like that Yelena is the one driving this. She’s the one with the wanderlust, the one who wants to be something, or at least feels a certain way about where she is. She says it flat out: “There is something wrong with me. An emptiness. I’m just drifting and I don’t have purpose. I thought throwing myself into work was the answer.”
And where does she take that? Straight to “hi, Dad.” Very cool. He’s telling her about his unimportant call, highly classified, many irons in the fire, and she’s standing in his doorway asking him if he feels fulfilled.
Then you see they’ve all been brought together, and there’s Bob. “Who are you?” “I’m Bob.” Clearly Bob is going to end up being the guy. He’s their Superman, so to speak, and I think that’s going to be interesting. I like seeing everybody’s dynamic already.
Redemption Is Not on Val’s Bingo Card
They want redemption. I don’t think that’s on Val’s list of priorities, and I don’t think it’s on her bingo card either. I think Val’s got ulterior motives regardless. I think we’re going to find out Val’s dirty somehow. Personally, I think she’s using what they want to get what she wants, and at the end of the day she’s still going to hang them out to dry.
The trailer even gives you the line for it: “There are bad guys, and there are worse guys, and nothing else.”
Either that, or this connects somehow to Captain America: Brave New World, and I’ve got to find out when this comes out in relation to that movie. This could always end up being the government’s version of the team. I said Steve out loud before I caught myself. I meant Falcon. If the Avengers aren’t his to put together, then this is the potential government group. Eventually they’re going to get pulled into the big leagues in some way, shape or form.
The Beard, and a Punch I’m Not Sure About
I think it’s interesting that U.S. Agent has kept the beard. He’s got this gruff, whatever thing going on.
Here’s the one I’m still turning over. He’s got the super soldier serum, and you see Yelena face him head on, fists flying, and I don’t know if that’s how that should work. I could be wrong. Tell me if I am.
And yes, that’s Bucky at the end, and for the people in that car, that’s not good.
That was a banging trailer. I like the music choices, I like the energy they’re going for, and I can’t wait to see this movie.
Tell me your thoughts in the comments on the video above: is Val going to hang this team out to dry, and should Yelena be able to stand in front of a super soldier like that? Never forget, everyone loves a know-it-all.
