Marvel Studios surprised fans just days after the release of Thunderbolts* by unveiling a dramatic shift: the unconventional team is now branded as the New Avengers, a twist carefully hidden for years. Julia Louis-Dreyfus reveals the secret history behind this bold move, confirming early discussions about the name change—a revelation that shapes not only Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s arc but the entire trajectory of the film. The Julia Louis-Dreyfus reveals origin of New Avengers twist spotlights how Marvel carefully orchestrated this headline-making transition in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Thunderbolts* Campaigns as the New Avengers in Wake of Release
Three days after Thunderbolts* landed in theaters, Marvel Studios immediately launched a marketing blitz to recast the film’s legacy. Posters, behind-the-scenes videos with the cast, and outdoor visuals everywhere now depicted the group under their new title. While the movie remains officially titled Thunderbolts*, this sudden rebrand reflects the decision to spell out the film’s asterisk as part of a clever marketing ploy. The new team designation emerges publicly in the film’s finale, as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine takes credit for her team’s heroics, hoping the spotlight will shield her from legal trouble.
Origins of the New Title Revealed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus
It was long assumed that studio head Kevin Feige introduced the New Avengers plot twist late in the film‘s production. However, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who returns as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, clarified to EW that the concept had been in play for years, even before her Marvel debut in 2021’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
“I met with Kevin Feige and Louis D’Esposito many years ago, when they first pitched me this whole idea of playing Val, and they pitched me this,”
—Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Actress
“So I’ve really known for a long time. I haven’t said a thing to anyone!”
—Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Actress
This years-long secrecy adds gravity to the introduction of the New Avengers, suggesting a broader vision that has been shaping Valentina’s journey all along.
Secrecy Guarded on Set and Screen
Florence Pugh, who portrays Yelena Belova, also commented on the covert nature of the twist. To prevent leaks, the production team filmed fake scenes featuring alternative team names during principal photography.
“We shot a version where she was like, ‘The New Thunderbolts!’”
—Florence Pugh, Actress
“And everyone was like, ‘Woo!’ And then we took all of the background [actors] out and shot Julia’s line, which was kind of cool.”
—Florence Pugh, Actress
These creative maneuvers ensured the twist remained hidden from the ensemble cast and the audience until the film’s debut. The post-credit scene ultimately cements the New Avengers name, setting up potential conflict with Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, who is simultaneously pursuing his own Avengers initiative in Captain America: Brave New World.
Main Cast Returns and Production Details
Thunderbolts* brings together a roster of hardened antiheroes: Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker. Each character—Florence Pugh as Yelena, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, and Wyatt Russell as John Walker—faces their past as Val brooks no dissent, driving the group through a high-stakes mission orchestrated by herself. Julia Louis-Dreyfus anchors the film as Valentina, with supporting turns from newcomers Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, and Wendell Edward Pierce.
Under Jake Schreier’s direction, producer Kevin Feige, along with executive producers Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek, and Jason Tamez, steered the project through its tense development. Marvel Studios plans a digital release of Thunderbolts* on July 1 and a Blu-ray release on July 29, extending the conversation well beyond its time in theaters.
Implications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe
With Valentina Allegra de Fontaine seizing the spotlight and rebranding the Thunderbolts as the New Avengers, new rivalries and power struggles are set in motion. Sam Wilson, known for assembling his own elite team, is forced into a tense standoff with this freshly minted group, hinting at larger conflicts on the horizon. The move reframes not just the identities of its antihero castoffs, but also Marvel Studios’ evolving strategies for the franchise’s future.
