Imagine passing by a bus stop and seeing Sebastian Stan, known for his role as the Winter Soldier, casually putting up a new movie poster. This scenario recently unfolded when the Thunderbolts star was spotted replacing promotional materials for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest film with posters revealing its official title: The New Avengers. This clever marketing stunt generated quite a buzz on social media, as Marvel sought to share the film’s significant twist just days before its release on May 2, 2025.
The Asterisk Mystery Explained
With its original title featuring an asterisk, Thunderbolts, directed by Jake Schreier, sparked various fan theories regarding its meaning. Was the asterisk just a placeholder? Did it have a connection to the comics? The answer became clear in the movie’s finale when Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, introduced the unconventional team of antiheroes—led by Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova and Stan’s Bucky Barnes—as The New Avengers. The credits even switched the title card from Thunderbolts to the new name, solidifying the revelation. Marvel took it a step further by having Stan actively participate in revealing the rebranding on the streets, literally covering old posters with the new ones in a video that excited fans.
Stan’s Bus Stop Transformation
In the now-viral clip, Stan, dressed in an all-black ensemble reminiscent of his character Bucky Barnes, approaches a bus stop with rolled-up posters in his hand. Spotting a Thunderbolts poster, he pulls out some tape and affixes the new poster on top, proudly showcasing The New Avengers. This playful act is a classic Marvel move—turning a spoiler into an entertaining moment. Stan wasn’t on his own in this endeavor; during the film’s Los Angeles premiere on April 28, 2025, Florence Pugh was seen pulling down a Thunderbolts poster to unveil the new title, with co-stars David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, and Hannah John-Kamen joining in the fun. Billboards and ticketing sites like Fandango have also updated to reflect the new branding, demonstrating that this change is part of the film’s identity.
Why the Title Change?
The title switch is directly linked to the movie’s plot. Thunderbolts follows a group of misfits—Yelena, Bucky, Red Guardian (played by Harbour), John Walker (Russell), Ghost (John-Kamen), and newcomer Bob/Sentry (Lewis Pullman)—who unite under less-than-heroic circumstances. Initially, the name “Thunderbolts” is a nod to Yelena’s childhood soccer team, but it evolves as Valentina’s surprise press conference rebrands them as The New Avengers, setting the stage for their expanded role in the MCU. The film’s post-credits scene, featuring the team gathered at the old Avengers Tower (now referred to as the Watchtower) and hinting at a legal battle with Anthony Mackie’s Captain America over the Avengers name, teases their future in Avengers: Doomsday, set to release in 2026.
Fans Are Loving It—Mostly
The marketing strategy has certainly divided opinions. Some fans are praising it as genius. A Reddit user noted, “This marketing is brilliant, honestly. Changing the name in the second week and having cast members swap out posters is a great way to draw people into theaters.” On the flip side, some feel that the early reveal takes away from the excitement. “Knowing this so soon after the first weekend makes me less interested in seeing the movie,” one fan expressed dissatisfaction online. Nevertheless, with Thunderbolts* raking in $76 million domestically and $162.1 million worldwide during its opening weekend, it’s clear that the buzz is real. The title change appears to be Marvel’s tactic for capitalizing on surprise while keeping control of the narrative.
A Nod to the Comics
The shift from Thunderbolts to New Avengers has its origins in Marvel’s comic lore, where the Thunderbolts were often villains masquerading as heroes under the guidance of Baron Zemo. The comic series of the New Avengers, helmed by Brian Michael Bendis, introduced a revamped team after the original Avengers disbanded. While the film makes some adjustments to these storylines, the asterisk and rebranding reflect the secrecy and surprising twists found in those comics. Director Schreier suggested the asterisk as a playful nod indicating that the team needed a better name, and Marvel’s marketing team embraced it to build anticipation for the eventual reveal.
What’s Next for the New Avengers?
Stan’s poster swap serves more than just a promotional purpose—it signals that The New Avengers are here to stay. Their confirmed appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, alongside the Fantastic Four and Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, hints at a showdown between this new group and Sam Wilson’s Avengers. Plus, the post-credits scene filmed on the Doomsday set by the Russo Brothers teases the arrival of the Fantastic Four, setting the stage for an epic MCU crossover.
Catch the Action
Thunderbolts*, now retitled The New Avengers, is in theaters. If Sebastian Stan’s antics at the bus stop are any indication, Marvel is enjoying this reveal. Whether you’re a devoted MCU fan or simply curious about Bucky’s latest venture, this film’s blend of action, humor, and strong performances make it a solid watch. Just don’t be surprised if you spot The New Avengers on the theater marquee. Grab your tickets and see why the asterisk was a clue we should’ve all picked up on!