Why Is [Spoiler] Suing Thunderbolts* in Marvel Movie?

While Captain America didn’t appear in Thunderbolts*, he was mentioned towards the end.

Wondering what sparked tension between Sam Wilson and the Thunderbolts? The post-credits scene reveals unexpected fallout, a controversial rebrand, and a legal twist that could shake up the MCU’s team dynamics. As alliances shift and new players emerge, the future of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes grows more uncertain.

Here’s what we learned after the credits rolled in Thunderbolts*.

Why is Sam Wilson’s Captain America suing New Avengers in Thunderbolts*?

In Thunderbolts*’ post-credits scene, Yelena Belova and Bucky Barnes confirm that Sam Wilson has taken legal action against their team for using the name “Avengers.”

Bucky states, “Sam Wilson is suing us for copyright infringement,” after Valentina Allegra de Fontaine rebrands the Thunderbolts as the “New Avengers” without consulting the original team.

The lawsuit highlights tension between the original Avengers legacy and Val’s government-approved group. Sam reportedly refuses to work with the New Avengers. This signals a growing divide between the two teams, which is expected to escalate in Avengers: Doomsday.

The U.S. Government, through Val, names the Thunderbolts as the official Avengers after the Sentry project fails. Val had planned to use Bob as the sole superpowered solution. But when the Thunderbolts unite and survive, she claims credit and rebrands them as her own team.

The new lineup includes Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, John Walker, Red Guardian, Ghost, and Bob. However, Bob cannot use his powers without risking the return of the Void. The team now operates from Val’s Watchtower, formerly Tony Stark’s Avengers Tower.

Meanwhile, Sam Wilson is implied to be forming his own version of the Avengers. While the film doesn’t confirm the lineup, potential members include Falcon (Joaquín Torres), Shang-Chi, Ant-Man, Shuri, M’Baku, and Ms. Marvel, among others.

The conflict escalates as public reception of Val’s New Avengers remains mixed. Merchandising, such as Wheaties cereal boxes, promotes the team despite Sam’s legal challenge. The end-credits scene sets the stage for further disputes and introduces the Fantastic Four, whose ship arrives in Earth-616’s atmosphere, signaling their entry into the broader conflict and potentially connecting directly to Avengers: Doomsday.