Final Thunderbolts* trailer fuels Taskmaster death theories thanks to that sus five-point asterisk

Marvel Studios has released the final Thunderbolts* trailer. What people are talking about is the title, especially because it has an asterisk. Rather than the standard six points, the final trailer's asterisk has five. This seemingly minor detail has fueled plenty of fan theories online.

FYI, asterisks usually appear in six- or eight-point form in most fonts and graphics. With the disappearance of one, fans are speculating about what that might imply. Interestingly enough, Marvel has kept the asterisk's meaning secret thus far.

Kevin Feige was quoted as saying at CinemaCon 2024 by Games Radar:

"We won't talk anymore about that until after the movie comes out."

Earlier, Marvel Japan jokingly teased that the asterisk means:

“*The Avengers are not available.”

Thunderbolts* posters and trailers introduce the core team: Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, Ghost, and Taskmaster.

Several fans believe Taskmaster (played by Olga Kurylenko) may die in the film. Her character wasn't given a lot of screen time previously, and folks aren't certain whose side she's on.

She's also been manipulated by others before, particularly by Valentina, who leads the Thunderbolts* team.

The moment the detail was brought to light, fans began jokingly saying goodbye to Taskmaster. Users have shared humorous GIFs and visual memes teasing the short-lived character.

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Social media melts down over final Thunderbolts* trailer — not for the action, but the asterisk

Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster) is the only core Thunderbolts* member who has not been confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday; thus, many assumed she would not make it. Fans have responded with a variety of memes indicating the same.

A user dropped a hilarious meme, probably indicating how that one character is playing along.

Another user says:

"No one will miss fake taskmaster"

This user thinks this is how Taskmaster might be feeling right now:

Here is yet another hilarious GIF aimed at Taskmaster.

And probably, this is her fans right now:

Now, fans are jokingly bidding her farewell, with some claiming that the character is so dead that no one cares. Others point out that she won't even make it through the first five minutes of the movie.

A user @eyeofthemoonn quipped:

"Taskmaster is the deadest character to ever die."

Another user @A_ALeeder already bid their goodbye:

"Bye taskmaster."

A user @Inveeus declared:

"Yeah. We all know taskmaster gets rocked. They didn’t hide that very well."

Another user @G2Cavillerine mentioned:

"Yeah taskmaster ain't making it past the first act lmao."

Some fans even speculate that Bucky Barnes or Sentry (Bob) is the one who will die.

Netizens believe it will make for a humorous scenario in which everyone had been bidding farewell to Taskmaster, only to realise that Bob or Bucky had the sword dangling around their necks the entire time.

Meanwhile, a user @RodrigoReloaded speculated:

"It’s gonna end up being funny as f**k when Bob (Sentry) dies and Taskmaster lives lmao."

Another user @jwally123456 thinks:

"Everyone saying task master but you know damn well Bucky is GONE."

A user @WarbossTae went on to post an elaborate theory:

"Wouldn’t it be hilarious and amazing, though, if it was all just clever marketing What if taskmaster lives to the end but is separated from the team out doing her own thing, and it’s Bucky that gets rocked in the first act? Got us all saying “Taskmaster is dead! Taskmaster is done!” And she literally makes it to the last frame."

But since all of these are fan-speculative, we don't yet know if someone will really die. Marvel could also decide to go in a whole new direction.

Or perhaps Taskmaster will die after all in the upcoming Thunderbolts* movie.