Marvel's ‘Thunderbolts' officially changes title to ‘The New Avengers' one week after release
In a highly unusual post-release move, Marvel Studios has rebranded its latest film Thunderbolts as The New Avengers just one week after it debuted in theaters.
The title change follows a twist revealed in the film's final scenes, in which CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) announces a rebranding of the team, setting the stage for future Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) installments.
After the credits roll, a message appears onscreen confirming that 'The New Avengers will return,' a nod to classic Marvel post-credit teases and a clear signal of where the franchise is heading next.
Marvel has swiftly updated promotional materials—including posters, digital ads, and billboards—to reflect the new title. This change also brings clarity to the asterisk featured in the original Thunderbolts title, which hinted at a deeper twist.
While some Marvel fans have embraced the switch and its implications for the MCU's future, others argue the change is poorly timed. Critics online have called it a spoiler, with some suggesting the rebranding should have been delayed to allow audiences to experience the twist firsthand.
'It feels like a marketing panic move,' one viewer posted. 'Why spoil a major plot point in your advertising?'
The move comes after Thunderbolts posted a moderate box office opening, and it's clear Marvel is hoping the Avengers branding will boost long-term performance.
As of now, it's uncertain whether movie theaters will update listings to reflect the new title. However, the sudden shift underscores the enduring power of the Avengers brand within the Marvel universe.
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