Marvel's promo for the upcoming Thunderbolts' movie dropped recently, confirming something most fans already suspected.
In the TV spot titled "Absolute Cinema," Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) walks into a bathroom where she's sitting on the floor. Yelena approaches the duplicate cautiously when it suddenly looks up, grabbing the real Yelena by the throat. The scene cuts off after their brief exchange, though it offers plenty of information on its own.
The scene points to Yelena fighting an internalized manifestation of herself—the version created in the Red Room. She only got away the first time, thanks to Oksana using the Red Dust to save her. If, by chance, someone reactivates Yelena's programming again, the real one might be trapped while her mind-controlled body takes orders from Valentina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). The new SHIELD Director is presumably responsible for brainwashing the various assassins on her team.
More proof of Yelena falling under another brainwashing spell lies with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). All the looks thus far have shown a massive shift in Bucky's demeanor. He no longer appears at peace with himself and the world. Instead, he has an oddly familiar demeanor strewn across his face. It reminds fans of his Winter Soldier days.
The big giveaway is that promotional material, including the "Absolute Cinema" spot, refers to Bucky as the Winter Soldier again. The title isn't apt anymore, or at least it shouldn't be, but since that's the case, it's clear that Barnes is back under someone's control.
Watching Bucky haul in the remaining members of the Thunderbolts lends further credence to previous claims. He's the one chasing Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) on a dirt road and then again behind the captured team as they board the elevator in Avengers Tower.
One still from "Absolute Cinema" confirms that he's under Valentina Fontaine's employ and tracking down the assassins. The image in question depicts the remaining superhumans tied up while Bucky paces nearby. It's not all that revealing, but when paired with everything else that's known, Barnes is obviously her central lackey.
The question is, how did Fontaine learn the trigger words to reset him? Perhaps Zemo (Daniel Bruhl) has a secret role in the plot. He's on the Thunderbolts' team in the comics, so it wouldn't be that preposterous for Zemo to be a silent partner. Or, maybe he hides in the shadows until the movie's final act. Revealing that Zemo plotted alongside Fontaine would be the perfect twist for a movie supposedly setting up the next era of superhuman protectors. Fans know the villains have something diabolical up their sleeves. It's simply a matter of time before their plans come unfurled.
The Thunderbolts' releases in theaters on May 2, 2025.