The *Thunderbolts* Post-Credits Scenes Explained: 5 Massive MCU Phase 6 Setups And The New Avengers Reveal

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The highly anticipated Marvel Studios film, *Thunderbolts*, has finally arrived, and true to the MCU tradition, it delivers not one, but two crucial post-credits scenes that completely redefine the future of the Multiverse Saga. As of late December 2025, plot details—including the shocking revelations in the extra scenes—have been widely reported following the film's premiere, confirming that this anti-hero team-up is less an ending and more a pivotal beginning for Phase 6. These scenes are not mere jokes; they are foundational pillars setting the stage for the next major crossover event, *Avengers: Doomsday*, and the long-awaited introduction of key new teams.

The film, which features a team of reformed villains and morally gray operatives like Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, and U.S. Agent, concludes its main narrative with a mission that reportedly introduces the dark, Superman-like figure Sentry. However, it's the two extra sequences that truly hold the keys to the MCU's immediate future, directly addressing the fallout of the film's events and launching two new superhero teams into the spotlight.

The Two Post-Credits Scenes: A Complete Breakdown

For fans eager to know what happens after the main action concludes, *Thunderbolts* features both a mid-credits scene and a definitive end-credits scene. Both sequences serve a distinct purpose: one offers a lighthearted, character-focused check-in, while the other is a monumental, franchise-altering tease.

1. The Mid-Credits Scene: A Red Guardian Check-In

The first scene, appearing mid-way through the credits, provides a brief, humorous, and character-driven moment that many fans have come to expect from the MCU.

  • Character Focus: Red Guardian (Alexei Shostakov), played by David Harbour.
  • Setting: Reportedly takes place in a mundane setting, like a grocery store.
  • The Event: The scene shows Red Guardian engaging in a typical Red Guardian activity—pressuring a woman to buy a Wheaties box with his face on it. This moment is a classic MCU palate cleanser, offering a final laugh and confirming the character's post-mission status while hinting at his continued, slightly pathetic, quest for recognition.

2. The End-Credits Scene: The New Avengers Are Here

The final, full end-credits scene is the one that has the internet buzzing, as it reportedly delivers on a promise that has been building since the conclusion of the Infinity Saga: the formation of a new, official Avengers team led by Sam Wilson (Captain America).

  • The Setup: The scene is set 14 months after the events of *Thunderbolts* and takes place in the iconic Avengers Tower.
  • The New Team: The scene features a discussion among the now "well-established" New Avengers. This is the first official glimpse of Sam Wilson’s assembled team, which is explicitly contrasted with the government-mandated anti-heroes of the Thunderbolts.
  • Key Characters: While the full roster is not confirmed, the scene reportedly features Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) looking annoyed but present in his New Avengers uniform, solidifying his new role. Sam Wilson/Captain America is the clear leader, actively putting the team together.
  • The Mission Tease: The New Avengers are discussing a major, undisclosed fact, which is believed to be the central conflict leading into *Avengers: Doomsday*.

The Five Major MCU Phase 6 Setups

The two post-credits scenes, particularly the final one, are dense with setup. They are designed to propel the narrative forward and connect directly to the next phase of the Multiverse Saga.

1. The Official Launch of the New Avengers

This is the most direct consequence. The MCU has been without a formal Avengers team since *Avengers: Endgame*. The *Thunderbolts* end-credits scene confirms that Sam Wilson's mission to build a new team is complete. This team, featuring characters like Bucky Barnes, will be the primary heroic force heading into the next two *Avengers* films, *Doomsday* and *Secret Wars*.

2. The Explanation of the Asterisk: *Thunderbolts*

A significant rumor suggests the end-credits scene finally explains the mysterious asterisk in the movie's title, *Thunderbolts**. While the exact meaning is a spoiler, it is heavily implied to be a plot twist related to the team's true purpose or a reveal about a specific character's allegiance that fundamentally changes the team's dynamic. This explanation is a major narrative payoff for a detail Marvel has been teasing for months.

3. Direct Setup for *Avengers: Doomsday*

The New Avengers' discussion about a "fact" is the direct narrative thread to *Avengers: Doomsday*. The scene immediately establishes the core threat or mission that will unite the new generation of heroes. By placing the scene 14 months later, it signifies a time jump and a clear line of demarcation between the events of *Thunderbolts* and the start of the next major conflict.

4. The Fantastic Four Connection

One of the most surprising leaks is that the end-credits scene also subtly sets up the arrival of the Fantastic Four. While the team may not appear directly, the "fact" or mission being discussed by the New Avengers could be related to a cosmic or dimensional anomaly—the type of event that would draw the attention of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. This is a crucial step in integrating Marvel's First Family into the main MCU narrative.

5. The Future of the Anti-Heroes (Thunderbolts) vs. The Heroes (New Avengers)

The film's final moments, including the post-credits, reportedly undercut the achievements of the Thunderbolts team, particularly Bucky Barnes, by immediately transitioning to the "actual" heroes. This contrast establishes a clear thematic tension for the MCU's future: the government-sanctioned, morally compromised team versus the independent, idealistic New Avengers. This dynamic will likely be a major conflict in upcoming films, exploring themes of redemption, trust, and government oversight.

Key Entities and Characters in the *Thunderbolts* Aftermath

The *Thunderbolts* movie and its post-credits scenes are a nexus point for dozens of key MCU entities, solidifying their roles in the Multiverse Saga. The film is a major stepping stone for the following 20+ entities:

  • Teams/Organizations: Thunderbolts, New Avengers, Fantastic Four, Avengers Tower, S.H.I.E.L.D., U.S. Government.
  • Main Thunderbolts Cast: Yelena Belova (Black Widow), Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier), U.S. Agent (John Walker), Ghost (Ava Starr), Taskmaster (Antonia Dreykov), Red Guardian (Alexei Shostakov), Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
  • New Avengers Characters: Sam Wilson (Captain America), Bucky Barnes (in a new role), other unnamed new members.
  • Major Villain/Threat: The Sentry (Robert Reynolds), *Avengers: Doomsday* (future event), The Asterisk Mystery.
  • Future Connections: Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm (Fantastic Four), Phase 6 of the MCU, Multiverse Saga.

The information leaked about the *Thunderbolts* end-credits scene confirms that Marvel is not slowing down its interconnected storytelling. By introducing the New Avengers and setting the table for *Avengers: Doomsday* and the Fantastic Four, the film’s final moments are arguably the most important post-credits sequences since *Iron Man*'s original Nick Fury reveal. Fans are advised to stay through both sets of credits to fully grasp the direction of the MCU's next epic chapter.

The *Thunderbolts* Post-Credits Scenes Explained: 5 Massive MCU Phase 6 Setups and the New Avengers Reveal
thunderbolts end credit scene
thunderbolts end credit scene

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