The first trailer for Thunderbolts (2025) dives straight into Marvel’s darker, edgier side, bringing together a group of anti-heroes and morally ambiguous characters for a mission that will test the limits of their loyalties. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film assembles an unlikely team tasked with doing what the Avengers can’t—take on the dirtiest jobs to protect the world from looming threats.
The trailer opens with Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the shadowy government agent seen recruiting potential members of this team in previous MCU films. In a darkened room, she stands before a group of notorious figures, each of whom has been chosen for their unique skill sets and questionable moral compass. Her voiceover is sharp: “You’re not heroes. You’re not saviors. But you’re all we’ve got.”
Cut to fast-paced introductions of the team members, beginning with Bucky Barnes, aka The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). Brooding and intense, Bucky reluctantly joins the team, still haunted by his past. Next, we see Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), the skilled assassin and sister of Natasha Romanoff, with her usual mix of sarcastic humor and deadly precision. Her line, “I’ve been cleaning up my sister’s mess for years, might as well continue,” adds a light but poignant touch.
John Walker, aka U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), is reintroduced in the trailer, still wrestling with his tarnished legacy and seeking redemption through brutal means. Red Guardian (David Harbour), full of bluster and humor, provides some comic relief, claiming, “It’s about time Russia had a real superhero.” We also see Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), stealthily phasing through walls during a high-stakes heist, and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), demonstrating their unparalleled combat skills.
The mission is revealed in brief flashes—something dangerous is brewing, linked to a secret, covert operation that threatens global security. Explosions, high-octane chases, and tense confrontations fill the screen as the team tackles a series of dangerous objectives. However, it’s clear that the Thunderbolts aren’t working together smoothly. Trust issues flare up, particularly between Bucky and Walker, whose rivalry adds tension to the team dynamic.
In one scene, Bucky angrily confronts Valentina, questioning her true motives. “You didn’t bring us together to save anyone, did you?” Her cryptic smile says it all: the Thunderbolts are merely pawns in a much larger game.
The trailer teases several major conflicts, including a mysterious villain pulling the strings behind the scenes. Hints point to a global conspiracy with dangerous ties to past MCU events, and the team must decide if they’ll follow orders or carve their own path.
The final moments of the trailer show the Thunderbolts standing together, battle-scarred and conflicted. Yelena quips, “So… what’s the plan now?” as the camera zooms in on Bucky’s determined face. The screen fades to black, revealing the title Thunderbolts and the tagline: “When the world needs a second chance.”
This teaser sets the tone for a gritty, action-packed adventure with complex characters who are far from traditional heroes, promising a thrilling addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
