Marvel Surprises Fans, ‘THUNDERBOLTS' Officially Changes Title to 'THE NEW AVENGERS'

Kapanlagi.com - Marvel Studios once again captures the world's attention with a surprising marketing strategy. Their latest film, THUNDERBOLTS, which has achieved great success at the box office, has officially changed its title to THE NEW AVENGERS just a few days after its release. This title change is not without reason, as it is part of the film's storyline and has been planned since the beginning of production.

The film tells the story of a group of Marvel antiheroes such as Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, John Walker, and Sentry, who are brought together by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. They are not conventional superheroes, but they must face a great threat while grappling with their own trauma and personal conflicts. At the end of the film, it is revealed that they were formed as the "New Avengers", explaining the meaning of the asterisk in the original title.

With a lineup of renowned actors such as Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour, along with a dark theme addressing serious issues like depression and domestic violence, THE NEW AVENGERS presents a different tone from previous MCU films. Although some critics have given mixed reviews, the audience score reaching 95% on Rotten Tomatoes proves that this film holds a special place in the hearts of fans.

1. Marvel's Bold Marketing Strategy Sparks Pros and Cons

The title change made by Marvel after the film's release has elicited a variety of reactions from fans and critics. Some consider this move a clever marketing strategy that integrates with the film's story, while others view it as a major spoiler that ruins the surprise for viewers who haven't had a chance to watch it yet.

Director Jake Schreier stated that this title change was indeed intentional and had been planned for a long time, reflecting the manipulation of the character Valentina in the film. Marvel even released a promotional video showing the actors changing the poster from THUNDERBOLTS to THE NEW AVENGERS, clarifying that this was not a last-minute decision, but rather part of a larger MCU plan.

2. Mixed Reception from Critics and Fans

(credit: youtube.com/@marvel)

Although many fans praised the film, not all critics provided positive reviews. According to the BBC, Empire critic John Nugent noted that the film is "literally lacking in color due to the pale palette and CG effects dominating the latter half of the film and figuratively because of its themes". He also highlighted that topics like suicide, depression, and domestic violence are not always handled sensitively.

On the other hand, some critics like Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent appreciated the film as Marvel's best work in recent years. She highlighted the film's self-awareness in a saturated superhero world, making it feel fresher and more relevant in the current MCU landscape.

3. The Future of the MCU and the Emergence of 'THE FANTASTIC FOUR'

(credit: youtube.com/@marvel)

In the post-credit scene, fans were also treated to another surprise: the spaceship belonging to FANTASTIC FOUR enters Earth's orbit, signaling their involvement in a new phase of the MCU. This moment is directed by the Russo Brothers on the set of AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY, reinforcing the connection between old and new characters.

Additionally, the old Avengers headquarters has now been taken over by the New Avengers team and renamed Watchtower. Interestingly, they are also involved in a legal dispute with Captain America (Sam Wilson) regarding the copyright of the Avengers logo, a unique story element that adds a political twist to this superhero universe.

(kpl/ute)