The recent teaser for Thunderbolts has ignited a flurry of speculation among Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans regarding the fate of Taskmaster, portrayed by Olga Kurylenko. In the original September 2024 trailer, Taskmaster was prominently featured alongside Ghost and U.S. Agent in a key Watchtower scene. However, the latest teaser omits Taskmaster from this scene, prompting fans to question what this change signifies for the character's storyline.
Adding fuel to the speculation, the recent announcement of the Avengers: Doomsday cast included Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Lewis Pullman, but conspicuously left out Kurylenko. This has led some fans to theorize that Taskmaster might not survive Thunderbolts. The absence of Taskmaster in the new teaser, combined with the cast announcement, has led many to believe that the character's fate is sealed within the film.
The change in the Watchtower scene has not gone unnoticed by keen-eyed fans. Not only is Taskmaster missing, but the positioning of the other characters has also shifted slightly. This has led to various theories, including the possibility that Sentry, a character known for his immense power, might have 'deleted' Taskmaster from the scene. Sentry's ability to erase individuals, as seen in other trailer shots, adds credence to this theory. Some fans speculate that Taskmaster could have been killed, sent to the void, or perhaps even turned against the team.
"Marvel pretty much just sealed the fate of this character in the movie," remarked redditor Matapple13, highlighting the noticeable absence of Kurylenko from the Avengers: Doomsday cast and the latest teaser. Conversely, another fan, puckallday, suggested that the minimal screen time and speculation about Taskmaster's death might hint at a surprising twist where the character survives.
The teaser opens with Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, emphasizing Sentry's overwhelming strength, stating he is "stronger than all of the Avengers rolled into one." This statement fuels speculation about Sentry's role in Taskmaster's fate.
As fans eagerly await further developments, the MCU continues to evolve with several upcoming releases. Thunderbolts is slated for May 2025, followed by the TV show Ironheart in June, and the launch of Phase 6 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for May 1, 2026, with Secret Wars set to follow in May 2027. With Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. hinting at more cast reveals for Avengers: Doomsday, there remains a glimmer of hope for Taskmaster's future in the MCU.
