Marvel's Thunderbolts Assemble: Exploring the Antihero Team's MCU Backstories

As of August 29th, 2025, Marvel's Thunderbolts is now available for streaming on Disney+. The film, which closed off Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has been praised by critics for its return to form, earning an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Thunderbolts team is a diverse ensemble of anti-heroes, each with their own unique backstories and connections to the larger MCU. Yelena Belova, the adoptive sister of Natasha Romanoff, was a trained Black Widow assassin who was manipulated by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after Natasha's sacrifice. Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers' childhood friend, has struggled to break free from his past as the Winter Soldier. Alexei Shostakov, also known as Red Guardian, made his MCU debut in Black Widow, where he reunited with his daughters Natasha and Yelena.

Ava Starr, or Ghost, first appeared in Ant-Man and the Wasp, while John Walker, the government's replacement for Captain America, was introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Taskmaster, revealed to be Dreykov's daughter Antonia, also joins the Thunderbolts team.

In addition to these familiar faces, Thunderbolts introduces two new characters: Rob "Bob" Reynolds, also known as The Sentry, and Mel, Valentina's assistant. The Sentry is rumored to have powers that could make him a threat to the Avengers as a whole.

Despite the critical acclaim, the Thunderbolts film underperformed at the box office, grossing $382 million worldwide. Nevertheless, the film's exploration of the complex backstories and motivations of its ensemble cast has been a highlight for many MCU fans.