Hydra Making a Comeback in The Thunderbolts*?
Marvel fans are eagerly anticipating the release of the upcoming film "Thunderbolts," the final entry in Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The movie will introduce a team of misfits and anti-heroes AKA the Thunderbolts; the team includes Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Taskmaster, Red Guardian, Ghost, U.S. Agent, and Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. However, the film has been heavily rumored to include additional characters, including Sentry, a superhero whose appearance could have a major impact on the MCU's past and future.
Sentry is Marvel's answer to Superman, a superhero whose powers include "one million exploding suns." In the comics, he fights alongside the Avengers and the Fantastic Four until the emergence of a villainous persona known as the Void, which causes him to go off the rails, and according to my past theories he actually rumored to attack the team, and how he can fit in to the potential story/plot that was posted on Reddit and 4Chan.
Always take it with a grain of salt. One thing I don't think is discussed enough is Val and what her motives and what might we see the character do in the MCU. I think I might have an idea.
Theories
As I said in one of my videos. Val, putting together this team and she is rumored to be Madame Hydra. She essentially in the MCU she is the dark version of Nick Fury. I do think, she has taken over Hydra and will try to bring it back bigger than we saw in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. I also believe, she is working with Red Skull. If you remember the Black Widow end-credit scene, where she tells Yelena that Clint is responsible for Natasha's death. Only two people knew what actually happened, Clint and Red Skull. Knowing that what happened on Vormir, I can understand that it is too painful for Clint to talk about, we saw glimpse of that in Hawkeye. So, that would leave the Red Skull. I firmly believe Red Skull told her and of course she uses this information for her own gain. After the events Endgame, and the Avengers disbanded; I think her goal is to take out any threats one-by-one. So, that her plans to bring back Hydra would not be hindered. Clint obviously being one of them, so she sends Yelena after him; and at the end of Hawkeye, Yelena finds out the truth. I do think she joins the team, already suspicious of Val true motives. In this film, I believe we see Val create Sentry and unintentionally creates the Void that takes over Sentry. I do think we see the start of Val trying to bring back Hydra in Captain America: New World Order. It is rumored that Val sends the team to The Savage Lands.
Perhaps there is a valuable resource Val wants to get her hands on? I do think it all comes to a head when the protector of the Savage Lands steps in to stop them, and this leads to a conflict with Sentry. Then leading him to go off the rails attacking them out of nowhere. After the attack, I see this leading to Yelena, and Bucky finding out Val's plans to bring Hydra back and create more super soldiers for their cause. Knowing that the super soldier serum, never leads to anything but chaos; I can see this leading them to go off on their own. I think they are able to get Ghost, Taskmaster, and Alexi on their side to try to stop Val. Maybe we see parallels of Yelena ending Val like how we saw Natahsa do in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
With this also being rumored, to act as a sequel to Black Widow maybe we get flashbacks of the Red Room and Hydra and Bucky and Yelen's time. I would love them to play off of the PTSD and their trauma and really showing us the horrors of the Hydra and the Red Room. Maybe we get flashbacks or mentions of Bucky's time with Natasha AKA Black Widow. It would be cool to see that aspect, and for them to play off of the comic relationship Winter Widow. Given the rumors that they develop a bond in this film, and the settle looks we get at the dinner table in Black Widow from Natasha and Yelena, when Melena mentions Hydra. I think Yelena knows Bucky and about the relationship Natasha had with him. Some part of me would love for them to acknowledge that Natahsa had a different version of the super soldier serum. There are great opportunities, to show the true trauma these characters have, to show their humanity and emotions, and have them really connect as a team, and as friends. All of these characters have faced a lot of trauma and horrors in their life, and I cannot wait to see them connect it all. Something, I don't feel like we saw enough with in the Avengers.
Possibilities
There is a possibility that the creation of Sentry will show us the Void take over and attacks the people in the room. Perhaps this leads to Val creating the Thunderbolts to go on a mission to save him. I do see this being less likely but, it would make sense if Val wants to take out any threats. However, she puts the team together so it wouldn't make sense to take them out. Or perhaps like we saw in The Eternals; Sentry has been around and just hidden. If that is the case how did the man who has the Void within, and has the power of a thousand suns remain hidden?
Sentry's unique origin offers Marvel Studios the opportunity to fix plot holes and unanswered questions in the MCU's past. As the franchise has been producing new content for almost fifteen years, plot holes and unresolved mysteries are inevitable. His appearance in Thunderbolts could allow the MCU to use his introduction to repair some of these inconsistencies, attributing them to the memory wipe spell that erased his superhero career from the world's memory. In his history, Jason Wyngarde, AKA Mastermind, to prompt Reynolds, via illusions projected directly into his mind, to erase not only his own memories of both his personas but, using vast untapped psionic powers, alter the memories of everyone in existence as well, as if neither the Sentry nor the Void had ever existed. This would make sense, given we have seen Doctor Strange erase the memories Spider-Man from the world. So, it could be something they play off. Because of Sentry's great power, he could have been involved in any previous MCU events, expanding the reach of his influence. This could be interesting to see how that would play out on screen. As we get closer to the start of filming, and as we might see sets being built for the film; the more I see with theory turns out to be the most promising.
While Sentry has not been officially confirmed for the MCU, it seems very likely that he will be making his live-action debut in "Thunderbolts." Recent reports suggest that Steven Yeun will portray Sentry in the film, though Marvel Studios has not confirmed any such rumors. Sentry's involvement in "Thunderbolts" has been rumored, and his history with the eponymous team in the comics makes it the perfect MCU project to act as the character's first appearance. With the franchise continuing to trend toward more cosmic storylines, the timing appears right for Sentry's MCU debut.
Bottom Line
One thing can be for sure, is Val will have a major role in the MCU and the Thunderbolt. I do think she will be completely responsible for the creation of Sentry; unintentionally creating the void. Only time will tell if she is actually working with the Red Skull to bring back Hydra. One thing I am excited to see is Taskmaster and Ghost make their comeback, and how might they fit into the story. I do hope the writer, pays respects to all of the characters on the team. Knowing that the writer gave us the incredible and emotional show of Beef I am excited to see what story he writes for this. This begs the question; will we ever see the end of Hydra? Will we get to see the Red Room and Hydra connections, and how might we see Yelena and Bucky develop a close bond?