Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Marvel’s Thunderbolts*Marvel’s Thunderbolts* features some great quotes. Featuring a wide cast of pre-existing MCU characters and a few newcomers, nearly everyone has at least one great line in the new movie. Incredibly character-driven with some truly heartfelt moments, the movie is packed with memorable dialogue (though there’s also some great one-liners and callbacks too).
Coming together to form a brand-new team of MCU heroes, this unique roster gradually evolves from a group of individuals with dark pasts into a found family. Facing a major new threat in the form of “The Void”, the Thunderbolts get their chance to move on from the mistakes they’ve made in order to make a difference, and they even become a brand-new team of heroes, as confirmed in Thunderbolts*’ ending and post-credits scenes. Keeping that in mind, here are 10 of the best quotes from Marvel’s Thunderbolts*.
10
“Why Would A God Take Orders From Anyone At All?”
Bob/Sentry
Once Val realizes that Bob Reynolds was actually the O.X.E Group’s first and only success with their Sentry Project, she immediately takes steps to restart her scrapped vision, turning Bob into what she believes will be her very own superhero who will follow her orders, allowing her to protect the interests of the American people as she sees fit, without ever facing the threat of impeachment. However, things take a turn the moment Bob starts disagreeing with his new mentor.
Not wanting to kill the Thunderbolts, who pose no threat to him, Bob aka Sentry starts to wonder “why a god should take orders from anyone at all?“. His ego already expanding, this line darkly ties into Bob’s confirmed past that was shared by Mel, revealing that Bob suffers from delusions of grandeur, depression, and more mental instability due to his past with his mentally ill mother and abusive father. Just like the Super Soldier Serum that enhances what’s already inherent within the individual, Project Sentry gave Bob power, while also enhancing his own darkness (leading to the Void).
9
“Righteousness Without Power Is Just An Opinion.”
Val
Val’s entire goal in Thunderbolts* is to control Bob, wanting to make him her own personal living weapon with all of his power. As she tells her assistant Mel, “righteousness without power is just an opinion.” Seemingly a twist of Spider-Man’s classic motto about how great responsibility must come with great power with a darker shade, Val believes convictions and morality are nothing if you don’t have the ability to do something about them. It also ties to Val’s personal past trauma revealed by Bob, having been forced to watch her father’s murder when she was a girl, and was powerless to stop it.
8
“Maybe We Can Be The Ones That Are Coming.”
Bucky Barnes
Bucky is tipped off by Mel about Val’s plans and the Thunderbolts at the O.X.E. Group would can serve as witnesses in Val’s impeachment trial. Mel also shares how strange it is that the Avengers are no more, and that there’s no one coming to save the day. Bucky disagrees, saying that now they can be “the ones who are coming” to make things right. It’s a great line, and one that’s made even better by the ending of Thunderbolts* when it’s revealed that the team is pubically renamed by Val as the New Avengers.
7
“The Past Doesn’t Go Away. So You Can Either Live With It Forever…Or Do Something About It.”
Bucky Barnes
After Bucky captures the Thunderbolts, he gets another call from Mel who reveals Val’s plans for Bob, confirming Yelena, Walker, Ghost, and Red Guardian’s reports about the Sentry. Bucky then decides that the Thunderbolts can help take Val down and hopefully stop Bob. When the rest of the team have doubts, the former Winter Soldier confirms he’s been right where they are, encouraging them to do something in the present to deal with their respective pasts. It’s a pretty great line and role for Bucky Barnes, especially as someone who’s effectively a chapter or two ahead, as established in prior MCU installments.
6
“Yelena, When I Look At You, I Don’t See Your Mistakes.”
Red Guardian
Struggling with her past trauma and mistakes at the start of Thunderbolts*’ third act, Yelena’s overwhelmed by her feelings of purposelessness, questioning how she could ever make a difference or become something more than what she’s been. However, it’s her adoptive father who helps her realize she’s far more than her mistakes, and that human connection is a key way to resist the empty “void” and attain new meaning. Furthermore, Red Guardian’s words are what motivated Yelena to enter The Void, wanting to provide Bob with the same support she’d just been given.
5
“On Your Left”
John Walker
While he may be the “dime-store” or “junior varsity” Captain America, as he’s called in Thunderbolts*, John Walker inadvertently joins Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson with his own use of the classic “on your left“. While Steve and Sam’s “on your left” was an inside reference and connection between the two of them and their first meeting, John was simply wanting Yelena and Ghost to get out of his way so he could break the sonic generator keeping Ava inside the O.X.E vault. Nevertheless, it’s a pretty fun moment and a meta MCU callback from the former Captain America.
Related
Thunderbolts* 50 Marvel Easter Eggs & References Explained
Marvel’s Thunderbolts* features an impressive collection of Easter eggs, references, and connections to both the comics and the greater MCU.
4
“To Her, We’re Just Disposable Delinquents…”
Ghost
After the Thunderbolts* are picked up in the desert thanks to Red Guardian and his limo, the group starts talking about Val and how she set them all up to kill each other. It’s here that Ava Starr’s Ghost says Val just saw them all as “disposable delinquents“. While true, the throwaway alliterative name is more than likely a subtle nod to the Suicide Squad, DC’s own team of anti-heroes. As such, this line is likely Marvel’s way of briefly acknowledging the similarity.
3
“This Has Makings Of TEAM…That Can Raise To Glory! Bring Light From The Darkness! This Team Can Be The Heroes On The Wheaties Box…With The Little Kiddy Toy!”
Alexei
Alexei’s hopes and dreams for the Thunderbolts mere moments after he’s essentially “joined” is absolutely hilarious. However, what makes this line even better is just how true it becomes by the movie’s end. Sure enough, the Thunderbolts-turned-New Avengers end up getting on the Wheaties box, just like Red Guardian envisioned. While he may be a little more glory-focused than he should be, Alexei’s optimism throughout the entire film is one of its brightest parts.
2
“I’m Fine”
Various
A recurring line heard from multiple Thunderbolts throughout the movie is “I’m fine” or “Everything’s fine“, pushing down the inner darkness and/or pretending it doesn’t exist. However, the movie’s core messaging is all about how it’s okay not to be okay, and that no one is an island. Human connection and accepting genuine help when it’s offered is how we all resist the “Void” in our own lives. While there are plenty of MCU projects that address subjects like mental illness, depression, grief, and loss, it’s notably remarkable just how central the themes of positive mental health are in Thunderbolts*.
1
“This Is Why We’re The Avengerz With A Z.”
Yelena
One of the best reveals to come out of Thunderbolts* post-credits scene is the fact that the New Avengers are currently in conflict with Sam Wilson’s Avengers over the name. Apparently, Captain America is none too happy, and even got the “Avengers” name copyrighted. However, Alexei’s hilarious solution is having new uniforms made with sponsors and adding a “Z” at the end of their name. Likewise, the team’s ongoing dysfunction sees Yelena conceding there may be a reason “why they’re the Avengers with a Z.“
Marvel’s Thunderbolts* is now playing in theaters from Marvel Studios.
Thunderbolts*
8/10
- Release Date
-
May 2, 2025
- Runtime
-
126 Minutes
- Director
-
Jake Schreier
- Writers
-
Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo
Upcoming MCU Movies