Thunderbolts: Where is Taskmaster in Teaser?

A new Thunderbolts teaser has ignited fan speculation about Taskmaster's fate, as viewers noticed the character's apparent removal from a pivotal scene.

The original Thunderbolts trailer from September 2024 featured Taskmaster positioned between Ghost and U.S. Agent in the Watchtower sequence.

However, the latest teaser presents the same shot without Taskmaster present.

This omission, combined with the recent Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement that included other Thunderbolts members but not Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster's actress), has led many MCU fans to speculate that Taskmaster may not survive the film.

But why include Taskmaster in the original trailer only to remove them later? What prompted this change? Fans have proposed numerous theories, ranging from Marvel attempting to misdirect audiences to the studio adjusting its plans for Avengers: Doomsday.

Adding to the mystery, the two frames—from the original trailer and the new teaser—aren't identical. Beyond Taskmaster's absence, the characters' positioning shows subtle variations. Could this indicate that Sentry 'erased' Taskmaster in this scene, similar to his demonstrated ability in other trailer footage, with the rest of the Thunderbolts yet to notice? Might Sentry have already eliminated Taskmaster at this point? Or has Taskmaster switched allegiances? Currently, MCU fans remain uncertain about what to believe.

"Marvel pretty much confirmed this character's fate in the movie," noted Reddit user Matapple13. "Yesterday's Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement included Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Lewis Pullman, but conspicuously omitted Olga Kurylenko. Now Marvel shares this..."

"The widespread speculation about her death, combined with Marvel's limited showcasing of her character, makes me suspect there's a significant reveal involving her in the movie and that she survives," observed puckallday.

What remains clear is Sentry's immense power, highlighted in the new teaser by Julia Louis-Dreyfus' character Valentina Allegra de Fontaine stating that Sentry is "stronger than all the Avengers combined." Taskmaster could have been eliminated, erased, or banished to the void with merely a thought from such a powerful being.

We have additional coverage of recent MCU developments following this eventful week, including analysis of whether the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement inadvertently revealed Thunderbolts spoilers.

Both Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. have hinted that more Avengers: Doomsday cast revelations are forthcoming, offering potential hope for Taskmaster's survival.

Answers will arrive soon. Thunderbolts* releases in May 2025, the Ironheart television series debuts in June, and Phase 6 commences with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for theatrical release on May 1, 2026, with Secret Wars following approximately one year later in May 2027.