“Deadpool & Wolverine” is the only MCU film to hit theaters this year and has already made waves by surpassing $1 billion at the box office in just three weekends.
Meanwhile, Marvel’s upcoming project, Thunderbolts (note the asterisk is part of the title), is generating significant buzz. Positioned as Marvel’s most ambitious crossover event since Avengers: Endgame, Thunderbolts will bring together a team of former villains and antiheroes to tackle a larger threat, much like the DCEU’s Suicide Squad films.
The first trailer for Thunderbolts was previewed at D23 and has since leaked online in low quality. The trailer has sparked discussions, particularly regarding a continuity issue involving Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Bucky Barnes (played by Sebastian Stan).
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Here’s a quick breakdown of the continuity concern: Bucky’s last MCU appearance was in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, set in mid-2024, while the current MCU timeline is around 2026. In contrast, Deadpool & Wolverine is set in 2024 but in an alternate reality, Earth-10005. Rocket’s most recent appearance was in 2026 during Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, where he becomes the new leader of the Guardians. However, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, set during Christmas 2025, shows Nebula gifting Rocket Bucky’s vibranium arm—a detail that clashes with earlier events. Rocket had expressed interest in Bucky’s arm in Infinity War, but the timeline and circumstances make it unlikely he would have acquired it in the interim.
The leaked Thunderbolts trailer provides further context, showing Bucky transitioning from a more forceful approach to crime-fighting, now seen in suits and reportedly serving as a congressman before joining the Thunderbolts. A humorous scene depicts Bucky cleaning his arm in a dishwasher, which highlights the ongoing continuity issue involving Rocket’s arm.
This moment in the trailer could address or playfully reference the arm’s origin, potentially resolving the continuity discrepancy noted in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. These interconnected details and Easter eggs help maintain the MCU’s narrative cohesion, offering a deeper experience for fans who follow the expansive storyline closely.
