“Inspired by or similar to !?”—Fans react hilariously as Marvel’s Thunderbolts is reportedly inspired by Toy Story 3

It's only a few months until the highly anticipated Marvel's Thunderbolts releases on May 2, 2025, and fans are hyped to see Marvel's own version of Suicide Squad. And now, they’ve just gotten an interesting new detail about the movie.

Recently, in an interview with Empire, director Jake Schreier revealed that Thunderbolts is inspired by Toy Story 3 and was quoted as saying, “The characters of Thunderbolts, like those in Toy Story 3, are facing obsolescence… Can they get out of the trash can together?” The revelation has piqued fans’ curiosity as they eagerly anticipate how a story about a group of supervillains will be influenced by a beloved children's animated film like Toy Story 3.

Hilarious Fan Reactions

Fans were quite amused by Thunderbolts taking inspiration from Toy Story 3. Here are some of their most hilarious reactions.

"Inspired by or similar to !?" asked a fan.

A classic trick filmmakers use, as this user points out - make a film similar to or almost identical to another and then claim it was merely "inspired" by it. Let’s hope that’s not the case here!

"Marvel is likening villains to forgotten toys," another pointed.

Wow, who would have thought we’d see the day when a superhero franchise like Marvel would compare its Thunderbolts characters to a bunch of forgotten toys from Toy Story 3! To similarity and beyond!

Thanos Version 2.0 (via @CardandCoinShop / X)

Well, if Marvel's Thunderbolts has indeed taken inspiration from Toy Story 3, then it’s only fair that Lotso should play Thanos. Who wouldn’t fear a big, purple, strawberry-scented teddy bear?

"I dig it. It’s all characters who are trying to find their place in this new world so that makes a lot of sense. Cautiously optimistic about this one," a fan wrote.

Looks like this user may have just cracked the plot for Thunderbolts, in case it really is inspired by Toy Story 3 - A team of MCU misfits facing abandonment and fighting for redemption..

"The entire MCU is facing obsolescence," commented another.

This user doesn’t seem to be a big fan of Marvel’s Phase 5, believing that, much like the characters in Toy Story 3, the MCU itself might be facing obsolescence. Maybe it’s up to the Thunderbolts to save Marvel!

Director Jake Schreier threw Marvel fans a curveball by revealing that Thunderbolts is inspired by Toy Story 3. Only two months to go until we see how the toys...oops, superheroes save the day!