Thunderbolts Trailer Debate: Taskmaster's Absence in Key Scene Sparks Discussion

A recent teaser for Thunderbolts has ignited a lively debate among fans regarding the fate of Taskmaster, after eagle-eyed viewers noticed the character's apparent removal from a pivotal scene.

The original trailer from September 2024 showcased Taskmaster prominently positioned between Ghost and U.S. Agent during the Watchtower scene. However, the new teaser presents the same scene without Taskmaster, sparking numerous questions and theories.

This change, coupled with the absence of Taskmaster actress Olga Kurylenko from the recently announced cast of Avengers: Doomsday—while other Thunderbolts characters were included—has led many MCU fans to speculate that Taskmaster might not survive the film.

But why include Taskmaster in the initial trailer only to remove the character in the latest teaser? The alteration has fans buzzing with theories, ranging from Marvel attempting to mislead the audience to adjusting their narrative strategy for Avengers: Doomsday.

Adding to the intrigue, the two frames from the original trailer and the new teaser aren't identical; the positioning of the remaining characters has slightly shifted. This has led to speculation that Sentry, who has demonstrated the ability to 'delete' people in other trailer shots, might have already eliminated Taskmaster in this scene, unbeknownst to the rest of the Thunderbolts. Alternatively, could Taskmaster have turned against the team?

As it stands, the fate of Taskmaster remains a mystery, leaving fans with more questions than answers.

"Marvel pretty much just sealed the fate of this character in the movie," remarked redditor Matapple13. "Yesterday they announced Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Lewis Pullman in the Avengers: Doomsday cast, but Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster's actress) was blatantly absent, and now, Marvel posts this..."

"The amount of people saying she’s dying and Marvel seemingly leaning into that by barely showing her make me think there's a reveal there with her in the movie and that she lives," suggested puckallday.

What is clear is that Sentry is portrayed as an immensely powerful character. The new teaser opens with Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, declaring Sentry to be "stronger than all of the Avengers rolled into one." This suggests that Taskmaster's fate could be sealed with a mere thought from Sentry.

The MCU has been buzzing with developments this week, including discussions on whether the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement might have inadvertently spoiled elements of Thunderbolts. Moreover, both Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. have hinted at further cast reveals for Avengers: Doomsday, leaving the door open for Taskmaster's potential return.

We won't have to wait long to uncover the truth. Thunderbolts is slated for release in May 2025, followed by the TV show Ironheart in June, and the kickoff of Phase 6 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, with Secret Wars following in May 2027.