The newly unveiled trailer for Thunderbolts*, showcased at the ongoing CinemaCon event, appears to have finally identified the primary antagonist of the film. Scheduled for a release on May 2, 2025, this highly anticipated movie revolves around a diverse group of former MCU villains who unite under the leadership of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character, Valentina, as they embark on a perilous mission. While many fans speculate that Lewis Pullman’s Sentry will serve as the film’s main villain, the latest descriptions from the CinemaCon footage suggest there may be a more sinister force manipulating events from the shadows.
Discover How the Thunderbolts Face Off Against Sentry and Valentina in the CinemaCon Trailer
The recently highlighted Thunderbolts* trailer features the team as they attempt to infiltrate a fortified location using a truck. However, upon arriving at their destination, the squad, led by Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, quickly realizes that it was Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Val who orchestrated their meeting with a deadly intention to eliminate them. This revelation reinforces her role as the film’s real antagonist, deepening the plot’s intrigue and complexity.
The trailer begins with Bucky Barnes alongside David Harbour’s Red Guardian, who is driving a truck, while Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost, and Wyatt Russell’s John Walker are positioned in the vehicle’s back. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Red Guardian questions Bucky about their ‘secret plan’ only to discover that the Winter Soldier intends to crash their vehicle into the target building to create an entry point for the team.
As the trailer progresses, audiences witness the Thunderbolts* engaged in a fierce battle against a wave of enemy gunmen, halting only when they hear Valentina’s voice booming through the loudspeakers. In a taunting manner, she orders them to come upstairs while hurling a barrage of insults at the team, showcasing her cunning and manipulative nature.
Valentina then chillingly states, “You are all so adorable. I send you down there to kill each other, but instead, you make nice and form a team,” which clearly indicates her malicious intent towards the group. An enraged Bucky attempts to initiate a swift counter-attack, only to be interrupted by a new threat that appears to be Lewis Pullman’s Sentry, sent by Valentina to thwart their plans.
While Marvel has not yet made an official statement regarding Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ role in Thunderbolts*, the CinemaCon trailer seems to solidly position her as the film’s central villain. With the movie set to premiere on May 2, 2025, eager fans will soon have the opportunity to confirm or dispel this theory for themselves.
Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on SuperHeroHype.
