Los Angeles, California – Marvel Entertainment has clarified the recent mystery surrounding the asterisk in the title of its film, “Thunderbolts.” The studio announced that the symbol signifies the film’s subtitle, “The New Avengers,” highlighting the unique team members that include Winter Soldier, Ghost, John Walker, Alexei Shostakov, and Yelena Belova. This group is poised to connect with the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday,” set for release on May 1, 2026.
Disney stated that the title change was not an official rebranding but rather a way to communicate the film’s implications to audiences. The new marketing tactic follows a strong debut weekend for “Thunderbolts,” which opened to approximately $74 million, slightly lower than the initial $76 million estimate. The film saw an $18 million take on Sunday, representing a 27% decrease from Saturday’s $24.5 million earnings. The studio plans to release official figures shortly.
Audience response to “Thunderbolts” has been positive, as evidenced by its A- CinemaScore and a robust 94% rating from Rotten Tomatoes’ audience. Comscore and Screen Engine’s PostTrak data reflect that 71% of viewers are likely to recommend the film, and it received an impressive average rating of 4.5 stars. With these encouraging metrics, Disney is optimistic about the film maintaining strong momentum heading into its second weekend, aiming for better retention than previous Marvel titles that opened below the $100 million mark, such as “Eternals” and “Captain America: Brave New World.”
In addition to moviegoer enthusiasm, Disney has run a substantial promotional campaign valued at $75 million for “Thunderbolts,” which carries a production budget of $180 million. The partnership includes brands like Harley Davidson, Tide, Wheaties, and Mike & Ike, among others, creating a multifaceted marketing approach that hopes to bolster the film’s visibility and box office performance.
This weekend also marks the wide release of Lionsgate’s action film “Shadow Force,” starring Kerry Washington and Omar Sy, along with IFC’s horror title “Clown in a Cornfield.” With competing films on the horizon, “Thunderbolts” continues to carve out its presence in the cinematic landscape as Marvel expands its narrative universe.