The asterisk (*) in the title of Marvel's Thunderbolts signifies that "Thunderbolts" is not the official or final name of the team. It was originally a placeholder or temporary name for the group of antiheroes and misfits featured in the film. By the end of the movie, the team is rebranded and publicly introduced as the "New Avengers," which the asterisk hints at throughout the film
. The director Jake Schreier confirmed that from the very first draft, the ending revealing the New Avengers was always part of the story, and the asterisk was added during filming as a playful nod to the fact that the team’s name was provisional until they settled on the New Avengers identity
. Additionally, the asterisk also reflects the narrative context that the Avengers are no longer active or available, and this new team is stepping in as their successors. This is emphasized in promotional materials where the asterisk is explained as meaning "The Avengers Are Not Available," underscoring the team's role as substitutes for the original Avengers
. In summary, the asterisk in Thunderbolts serves as a meta-symbol indicating:
- The team’s name is temporary or provisional.
- The team is a government-sanctioned successor to the Avengers.
- The film’s ending reveals the official team name as the "New Avengers," which the asterisk foreshadows
This clever use of the asterisk both teases the twist and sets up future MCU storylines involving this new team.
