How Daredevil: Born Again Strengthens My Thunderbolts Theory in the MCU

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again.

Marvel Studios appears poised to enhance a compelling Thunderbolts team theory by potentially introducing a new character in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+. Among these villains, there is the possibility that one could transcend his street-level origins and play a vital role in a larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) narrative, especially if a specific theory concerning the Thunderbolts comes to fruition.

As Daredevil: Born Again continues the legacy of the iconic original series, Wilson Bethel’s return as Benjamin Poindexter—also known as Bullseye—was a strategic decision. In the premiere, Poindexter shockingly murders Foggy Nelson and later escapes from prison in Episode 8, titled “Isle of Joy,” with intentions to target Mayor Wilson Fisk again. His storyline is set to reach a climax in the season finale. What becomes of Bullseye in this finale could hint at a darker future involving imprisonment in a more specialized facility rather than a conventional prison.

Daredevil: Born Again Potentially Leads to Bullseye’s Imprisonment at the Raft

Bullseye’s Likely Return to Imprisonment

Following the tragic killings, including that of Foggy Nelson, Bullseye found himself confined within the walls of Ryker’s Island. His dramatic escape, showcasing his enhanced sharp-shooting skills now bolstered by a cognium steel skeleton, suggests that post-finale, Bullseye might be transferred to a more secure and specialized location. This hints at the Raft, a notorious underwater prison constructed to detain some of the most formidable supercriminals already established within the MCU.

Introduced in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, the Raft has since appeared multiple times within the MCU narrative, notably during Netflix’s Defenders Saga and later in projects like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Captain America: Brave New World. Considering its renewed importance, it would not only be logical but also thematically resonant for Bullseye to occupy a cell within the Raft, paving the way for theories surrounding the Thunderbolts to further develop.

Bullseye Poised to Join the MCU’s Most Sinister Thunderbolts Team

Residents of the Raft: Candidates for a New Thunderbolts Team

Scheduled for release in May 2025, Marvel’s first Thunderbolts film will showcase a blend of antiheroes and reformed villains, including Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Bucky Barnes, US Agent, Taskmaster, and Ghost. This ensemble, however, may not be a definitive representation of the Thunderbolts in the MCU. A far more morally ambiguous version could emerge, comprised of superpowered individuals currently held within the Raft. Should Bullseye’s eventual relocation to the Raft materialize, it would align perfectly with this theory and establish him as a potential sixth member of this nefarious new team.

The Thunderbolts were first introduced in Marvel Comics in 1997, featuring the Masters of Evil masquerading as heroes to fill the void left by the Avengers. Under the leadership of Baron Helmut Zemo, the MCU’s portrayal of Zemo as a Raft resident could lead to a more comic-accurate version of the Thunderbolts. If Bullseye joins forces with Zemo, Trish Walker’s Hellcat, Diamondback, Red Hulk, and the Leader, the MCU could forge one of its most powerful and threatening new villainous groups.

Potential Debut of the New Thunderbolts Team

Marvel Studios’ First Thunderbolts Team Set for May Release

The inaugural Thunderbolts team is expected to unite in the upcoming film scheduled for May 2025. This assembly of former villains seeks redemption by confronting threats to New York City alongside Lewis Pullman’s character, known as “Bob.”While this Thunderbolts team appears to be striving for heroic recognition, there remains potential for a darker, more authentic rendition of the Thunderbolts to materialize, possibly closing out the current film or emerging in future installments. This could take place at the conclusion of Thunderbolts or even in the next phases of the MCU.

A prudent scenario for the new team’s formation could unfold during major projects like Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars in Phase 6. These crossover movies, under the Russo brothers’ direction, are set to gather various superhero teams to challenge the formidable Doctor Doom, presenting an opportune backdrop for the Raft’s residents to unite as a new Thunderbolts faction. Moreover, a sequel to Thunderbolts or a second season of Daredevil: Born Again could strain to reunite with Bullseye in the Raft, hinting at this imminent team’s arrival—potentially revolutionizing the MCU landscape.

Source & Images