After the recent finale of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS), a lot of die-hard fans noticed some breadcrumbs that Marvel appears to be leaving for a potential super team. This super team is none other than the infamous Thunderbolts, which is a similar concept to DC's Suicide Squad.
Most recently, Marvel has left a lot of clues in TFATWS to indicate that the Thunderbolts are a team that they want to introduce. Given the MCU's ability to adapt and adjust classic comic book characters and storylines, a slightly altered version of the Thunderbolts could be the next major team-up movie in the MCU. Or they could become the next major threat to the true heroes.
10 Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross Has Been a Quietly Consistent Key Player in the MCU Since The Beginning
Considering the namesake of the villainous supergroup is inspired by Ross's nickname, having him involved in any capacity in the MCU outside of a Hulk movie should have been the first indication to comic fans. Now that Ross has made his way up to Secretary of State, he has an exorbitant amount of power, which he just might use to put together a hero team of his own that will actually listen to what he tells them.
There are multiple people in Ross' past that could become key members of a Thunderbolts team, assuming Ross does show up in Black Widow. There may be other anti-heroes and villains lying around waiting for screen time, after all, Ross probably didn't commission the creation of The Raft just in case the Avengers went rogue.
9 The Raft Introduced The Idea Of Other Dangerous Villains
Thus far, The Raft has only been shown to imprison Baron Zemo and most of team Cap from Captain America: Civil War. However, fans know that this supermax floating ocean pokey wasn't built for rogue Avengers and a murderous millionaire.
Ross presumably had this facility built because there are some truly powerful people in the world that don't have quite the moral compass of an Avenger. Some of these yet-to-be-revealed ne'er-do-wells could find themselves a spot on Ross' team.
8 Baron Zemo Is The Leader Of the Thunderbolts As Citizen V
In the comics, Baron Zemo is the leader of the Thunderbolts supergroup despite not having any superpowers. The original Thunderbolts group was a truly villainous one until the other members usurped Zemo and became a group of anti-heroes. TFATWS shows fans that Zemo has been taken to The Raft by the Dora Milaje.
Considering Zemo is now living indefinitely at the supermax prison of a Mr. Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, one wouldn't have to try hard to imagine a situation where Ross recruits Zemo for a mission. It would likely go the route of Fury recruiting Tony, but more evil. Perhaps Zemo would complete his character arc and become a hero or perhaps his fate is that of his comic counterpart and his team will double-cross him in the end.
7 U.S. Agent Is Another Key Player
By the end of TFATWS, fans are introduced to John Walker's new persona in U.S. Agent with his classic black suit from the comics. Walker is more typically associated with the Dark Avengers, another villainous supergroup led by Norman Osborne. However, given the legal issues with Spider-Man characters, courtesy of Sony, fans are assuming Walker will make the jump to the Thunderbolts behind Zemo or perhaps as the leader himself.
It's unlikely that Marvel would want to set up two separate supergroups that are so similar at the same time, so it makes sense for them to bring the ideas together. However, Marvel could be playing the long game and setting up Zemo and the Thunderbolts now to allow Walker and the Dark Avengers later, after some long talks with the reps at Sony.
6 Val Seems Well-Connected & Appears To Be Recruiting Walker For... Something
Val is certainly a mysterious new character that fans are hoping to see more of in the future. There have been blurbs of Val appearing as soon as in the highly anticipated Black Widow movie, which would provide fans with some more background on John Walker's savior.
Val appears to be in some sort of shadow government organization that knows a lot of secrets and doesn't much care for following the official rules put in place by "guys in ties." She ominously suggested that Walker would be involved in some weird stuff pretty soon, fans will have to wait and see just how weird.
5 Black Widow & Taskmaster Were Part of the Team in the Comics
With both Yelena Bolova and Taskmaster being introduced in the upcoming Black Widow origin movie, it wouldn't be a stretch to assume that if the Thunderbolts are introduced that these two may be involved. Many fans are speculating that Yelena Belova will assume the mantle of the Black Widow now that Natasha is gone, and Taskmaster is a villain with the ability to copy his opponents' moves.
Considering he's studied the moves of Captain America, and presumably other Avengers, it makes him a worthy foe indeed. Both Taskmaster and Black Widow were members of the Thunderbolts in the comics, and they aren't the only ones, Marvel may be introducing so many former and current members with a purpose.
4 Beloved Bucky Barnes, The Former Winter Soldier & Batroc The Leaper Are Affiliated With The Group
Both Bucky Barnes and Batroc the Leaper were or are members of the Thunderbolts in the comics. While Batroc is now dead in the MCU, Bucky is still around and fans are certainly hoping to see more of him after his incredible character arc in TFATWS.
While Bucky appears to have truly made the transition from villain to anti-hero, to a true hero, he may well find a place on Ross' team. It could be a classic case of blackmail, or perhaps Bucky could be coerced into thinking the Thunderbolts are the next Avengers only to realize he's on the wrong side, yet again, further down the line.
3 Hawkeye Was Also A Member, Fans Might Expect A Ross (Or Val) Cameo In The Upcoming Hawkeye Show
Hawkeye was a member of the Thunderbolts in the comics as well. While it seems he is training an heir in the form of Kate Bishop, it's unclear if Hawkeye's story is finished in the MCU. While Clint has been threatening to retire for years, he may be one of those guys that can never leave the job.
Ross may need a man with his particular set of skills, and considering the time he spent murdering crimes bosses during the Blip, he's been conditioned to killing pretty well. If Renner's contract gets renewed, this team may be the reason why.
2 Emil Blonsky's Abomination Could Become An Incredible Asset
While Abomination was not a member of the team in the comics, Blonsky could return as some serious muscle for the supergroup. With his confirmed return in She-Hulk, fans will finally get to see what Blonsky has been up to since 2008.
Assuming his relationship is in good standing with Ross, or at least salvageable after the events in Harlem, he could potentially be approached by Ross for the Thunderbolts. Ross would finally get his wish of controlling a Hulk, kind of, and Blonsky would be back in action presumably fighting powerful opponents like he's always wanted.
1 Ghost & Agatha Are Just Sitting Around, Waiting To Be Shown Again
While neither of these lovely ladies was a member of Ross' group, they could certainly round out the team with some magic and quantum energy. With how big the quantum realm has been thus far, and the role it will continue to play in the MCU, it wouldn't be a huge jump for Ghost to join the team in exchange for quantum therapy. Perhaps she is unaware that team Ant-Man has returned.
Assuming Agatha could break free from Wanda's hex, she likely wouldn't be coerced as easily. Though she could join in order to learn more information about Wanda, or the current Sorcerer Supreme. With a powerful witch on the Thunderbolts, a clash between Ross' team and the next iteration of Avengers could be exhilarating.