Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Action Movies
  4. Marvel Movies
  5. Thunderbolts

Marvel fans have a theory about the formation of the Thunderbolts – and Valentina's motives

News
By Nick Staniforth published 16 February 2025

Fans think Valentina is using the titular team for target practice

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Thunderbolts* trailer
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Sam Wilson has only just touched down in Captain America: Brave New World, but already fans are predicting what's in store with them when they run into the Thunderbolts later this year. The new film starring Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, and Sebastian Stan will see them unite in a ragtag team of heroes against Valentina Allegra De Fontaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. It's this joint aim that one fan thinks they've figured out and would explain why in the latest preview, Pugh's Yelena tells Valentina to kindly eat shit.

The fan over on Reddit hypothesized that the rough and ready-enhanced individuals who are all surprised to see each other at an unnamed test facility do so as a trial run for the meek and mild Lewis Pullman's Bob (who is really The Sentry). Val is hoping that The Sentry will be an Avengers alternative, and Yelena and company are wandering in as lambs to the slaughter. They somehow make it out alive, and all join up to get back at the woman who wronged them all.

"What Val doesn't account for, is that the team actually work together somehow and escapes, taking Sentry/Bob with them not knowing his importance, and then the chaos of the film ensues and Sentry, now released, becomes Void," the fan guesses. "The Thunderbolts feel an element of guilt for their part in releasing Sentry, and Bucky then comes and asks the team to help defeat him, proving Val wrong about what this team is capable of."

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

Another fan backed the claim saying, "Yeah, I think you're actually spot on. Feels like an unintentional misdirected where everybody is assuming the Thunderbolts are a team assembled by Val when the actual trailers don't indicate that at all. Most of them work for Val but not under a team. Sentry is actually the Avengers replacement that Val has in mind."

The theory certainly gives a Dirty Dozen, do-or-die vibe to what feels fitting of what's on show so far. You can see how they handle themselves when Thunderbolts strikes in theatres on May 2, 2025. Get the full lowdown on the titular team with our guide here.

You may like
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina in Thunderbolts Daredevil: Born Again season 2 connects Valentina and Kingpin, with possible ramifications for the Thunderbolts
  • Wyatt Russell as John Walker in Thunderbolts A Marvel fan has spotted an interesting detail in Thunderbolts, and I hope we see it explored in Avengers: Doomsday
  • Falcon and the Winter Soldier Marvel star Wyatt Russell says Bucky Barnes actor Sebastian Stan is "amazing" in Avengers: Doomsday
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Nick Staniforth
Nick Staniforth
Social Links Navigation
Contributing Writer

Nick is a freelancer whose work can be found at Screen Rant, The Digital Fix, and Looper. He loves movies, TV, DC, and Marvel. He also believes that the best Robin Hood is still a talking fox.

Read more
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina in Thunderbolts
Marvel TV Shows Daredevil: Born Again season 2 connects Valentina and Kingpin, with possible ramifications for the Thunderbolts
 
 
Wyatt Russell as John Walker in Thunderbolts
Marvel Movies A Marvel fan has spotted an interesting detail in Thunderbolts, and I hope we see it explored in Avengers: Doomsday
 
 
Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Marvel Movies Marvel star Wyatt Russell says Bucky Barnes actor Sebastian Stan is "amazing" in Avengers: Doomsday
 
 
Anthony Mackie in Captain America: Brave New World
Marvel Movies Marvel fans discuss their wishlists for Captain America 5, and the top choice is “competent writing and dialogue
 
 
Tom Holland as Spider-Man and Mark Ruffalo as Hulk in the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer
Marvel Movies Marvel fans think we will see more of Savage Hulk in Spider-Man: Brand New Day thanks to the new trailer
 
 
Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk AKA Kingpin in Daredevil: Born Again
Marvel TV Shows We finally know where Daredevil: Born Again season 2 fits on the MCU timeline, and it makes Val's cameo interesting
 
 
Latest in Marvel Movies
Tom Holland as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Marvel Movies Who is Spider-Man: Brand New Day's mystery villain? Our 5 biggest theories, from Mister Negative to Jean Grey
 
 
A screenshot from a Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer clip featuring Spider-Man web-swinging while holding a man
Marvel Movies Spider-Man: Brand New Day has already broken a record before it's even hit theaters
 
 
Tom Holland as Spider-Man and Jon Bernthal as Punisher in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Marvel Movies Spider-Man: Brand New Day featurette teases Peter Parker and Frank Castle's "big brother, little brother relationship"
 
 
Tony Stark and Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming
Marvel Movies Tom Holland hasn't been on set yet for the new Avengers movies, but can't wait to see how Robert Downey Jr.'s MCU return works
 
 
Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Marvel Movies Spider-Man: Brand New Day has learned from Marvel's past mistakes by hiding its villain
 
 
Tom Holland as Spider-Man and Mark Ruffalo as Hulk in the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer
Marvel Movies Marvel fans think we will see more of Savage Hulk in Spider-Man: Brand New Day thanks to the new trailer
 
 
Latest in News
Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Movies Darth Maul voice actor says seeing The Phantom Menace "was the biggest disappointment" of his life
 
 
Jim Carrey as the Grinch and Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who during How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Christmas Movies Despite calling the makeup process "excruciating," Jim Carrey is returning to The Grinch, 26 years later
 
 
Sonic Boom key art
Sonic the Hedgehog 10 years ago, Sega said "we're done with Sonic," and it was up to Takashi Iizuka to save the series
 
 
Pragmata Diana
Action Games Pragmata had "Diana Police" for Capcom's development of the android girl to ensure she wasn't "too cute"
 
 
Key art for Call of Duty Black Ops 2 showing a character sitting in darkness with a handgun, from Edge 353
Call of Duty Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 aren't remastered on PS5 and PS4, Activision says
 
 
StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty box art.
Real Time Strategy Games Blizzard takes another swing at StarCraft 2's surprise patch, doesn't include the one change fans wanted
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Pragmata Diana
    1
    Pragmata had "Diana Police" for Capcom's development of the android girl to ensure she wasn't "too cute"
  2. 2
    What time is Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 releasing on Netflix?
  3. 3
    You deserve to get in some gaming time this summer, and these travel-friendly gadgets will help with that
  4. 4
    Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 aren't remastered on PS5 and PS4, Activision says
  5. 5
    I've been curating desk tech gadgets for ten years, these are the accessories that made it into my final setup

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...