The recent teaser for Thunderbolts has ignited a fiery debate among MCU fans regarding the fate of Taskmaster, following the noticeable absence of the character from a pivotal scene originally featured in the September 2024 trailer.
In the original trailer, Taskmaster was prominently positioned between Ghost and U.S. Agent during the Watchtower scene. However, the latest teaser, released shortly after, conspicuously omits Taskmaster from the same setting.
This change, coupled with the absence of Taskmaster's actress, Olga Kurylenko, from the recently announced cast list for Avengers: Doomsday—which included other Thunderbolts characters—has led many fans to speculate that Taskmaster may not survive the events of the film.
The alteration in the scene has sparked numerous theories. Some believe Marvel might be employing a double-bluff strategy to mislead fans, while others suggest the studio might be adjusting its plans for Avengers: Doomsday. Moreover, the slight differences in character positioning between the two frames have fueled speculation that Sentry, known for his immense power to 'delete' individuals, might have already eliminated Taskmaster in the scene, unbeknownst to the other Thunderbolts.
Redditor Matapple13 remarked, "Marvel pretty much just sealed the fate of this character in the movie. 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..."
Conversely, user puckallday offered a different perspective, stating, "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."
The teaser opens with Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, emphasizing Sentry's formidable power, suggesting he is "stronger than all of the Avengers rolled into one." This statement has led to speculation that Taskmaster's absence could be the result of Sentry's actions.As the MCU continues to evolve, the recent announcements and teasers have kept fans on the edge of their seats. With Thunderbolts set to premiere in May 2025, followed by Ironheart in June and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July, the saga will continue to unfold. Avengers: Doomsday is slated for May 1, 2026, with Secret Wars following in May 2027.
Amidst these developments, Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. have hinted that more cast announcements for Avengers: Doomsday are forthcoming, leaving room for hope that Taskmaster's story may not be over just yet.
