Thunderbolts Director Reveals Post-Credit Scene Was Filmed for Avengers: Doomsday

Marvel’s Thunderbolts may have taken fans on a thrilling ride with its antihero-packed storyline, but the post-credits scenes introduced a whole new level of excitement and mystery for the future of the MCU. Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts concluded its theatrical run with a huge twist—one that not only shocked viewers but also set the stage for the next big blockbuster, Avengers: Doomsday. In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, Schreier revealed that one of the most important post-credits scenes was actually filmed for Avengers: Doomsday, sparking theories about the direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The New Avengers: A Glimpse into the Future of the MCU The second post-credits scene from Thunderbolts offered a fascinating preview of what's to come in the MCU. Set in the Watchtower, the scene features the New Avengers—Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), U.S. Agent/John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Bob/Sentry/Void (Lewis Pullman)—as they argue over their role as the so-called "New Avengers" and their ongoing struggles with their newfound fame. What makes the scene even more intriguing is the surprise appearance of an extra-dimensional ship, bearing a giant "4" on its side, signaling the arrival of Marvel’s First Family: the Fantastic Four. Jake Schreier confirmed to EW that the scene, featuring the New Avengers and their updated superhero suits, was filmed just a month ago. "It was so fun to see your characters go off into this bigger context," Schreier said. "We’ve been living in our own contained world, but it was really fun to see them there." However, Schreier stopped short of confirming whether the New Avengers would meet the Fantastic Four in Avengers: Doomsday. "You know as much as I do about that," he joked, adding that the scene was shot as part of Doomsday, which officially began production the week after filming. The New Avengers Face Their First Legal Challenge In true Marvel fashion, the post-credits scene also set up a playful and dramatic conflict between the New Avengers and Sam Wilson, the current Captain America. The team, which now includes new costumes and more confidence, finds themselves at odds with Sam over their new name. “We are the New Avengers, the government said so,” Yelena argues, but Bucky quickly reminds her that Sam, with his shield, might have a different opinion. The New Avengers’ legal troubles take an amusing turn as John Walker (Wyatt Russell) gets caught up in the debate, pointing out that the internet has been ruthless in questioning their credibility.

As tensions rise within the team, Yelena reveals that Sam has already filed for the copyright of the Avengers name, throwing the group into a crisis of identity. "We’re losing credibility," she says, highlighting the stakes as the team faces a new threat: a space crisis that they aren’t being told about. A Glimpse of the Fantastic Four and New Allies on the Horizon But the most exciting reveal of the post-credits scene is the tease of the Fantastic Four’s arrival. The New Avengers, still grappling with their new responsibilities, are caught off guard when an "extra-dimensional ship" enters Earth's atmosphere. As the team watches the ship approach, the iconic Fantastic Four score fills the air, and the ship reveals its unmistakable "4" logo. This marks the official debut of Marvel's First Family in the MCU. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which is set to release in theaters on July 25, 2025, will introduce fans to Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). The questions surrounding their arrival remain: Is the Fantastic Four coming to help save Earth, or are they running from the destruction of their own world? The answers are likely to unfold in Avengers: Doomsday, slated for release on May 1, 2026. A Future Full of Surprises: What’s Next for the New Avengers? As the New Avengers and the Fantastic Four make their way into the MCU, fans are left wondering how these two iconic teams will collide in Avengers: Doomsday. With the New Avengers dealing with their own identity crisis, Sam Wilson’s legal challenges, and the growing presence of cosmic threats, the stage is set for a high-stakes battle that could change the course of the MCU forever.

The post-credits scene not only sets up the arrival of the Fantastic Four but also promises new allies, a shocking new enemy, and a deeper exploration of the team dynamics of the New Avengers. As Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian humorously points out, “With the ‘z,’ there is no copyright,” adding a touch of levity to the unfolding conflict. The journey of the New Avengers and the arrival of the Fantastic Four mark a new chapter for the MCU, full of surprises, battles, and new alliances. As the team’s story continues to unfold, fans can expect even more twists, turns, and unexpected revelations in the lead-up to Avengers: Doomsday. This article follows a natural, entertainment journalist-style tone while incorporating SEO-friendly keywords like "New Avengers," "Fantastic Four," "Jake Schreier," "Avengers: Doomsday," "post-credits scene," and "MCU." The structure is aligned with WordPress formatting, using H1 and H2 headers to enhance readability and SEO performance.

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