A long-forgotten Marvel Cinematic Universe project from Phase 1 is set to play a crucial role, particularly for the Thunderbolts movie and MCU Phases 5 and 6. Tim Roth plays Emil Blonsky, nicknamed the Abomination, in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law as Jennifer Walters’ first client with superpowers, but this might only be the beginning of a much bigger role for the original evil Hulk in the MCU. Reexamining Abomination’s past makes it appear that Marvel may be alluding to The Consultant, their first Marvel One-Shot, and one of their more modest Phase 1 endeavors.
The Consultant described the fallout from the Hulk’s fight with the Abomination in Harlem, which took place after the events of The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man 2. The World Security Council wanted General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross to give over the Abomination to SHIELD once it was contained at the end of The Incredible Hulk so that he could be a part of the original Avengers squad. Fortunately for Bruce Banner, Tony Stark, who was called “the Consultant” after being kicked out of the Avengers Initiative during Iron Man 2, worked with Agents Phil Coulson and Jasper Sitwell to stop this scheme.
Although the Abomination wasn’t referenced again until Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, his appearance in recent Marvel products may indicate that the groundwork is being prepared for his eventual involvement in the MCU. The most visible component of Blonsky’s character seemed to be in the upcoming Thunderbolts movie from Marvel. But when the cast list for the July 2024 film was revealed at D23, Abomination was conspicuously absent. This gives him the option to join another squad or be hired later, maybe working with other Hulks in the next MCU Phases. In The Consultant, Coulson and Sitwell discuss some other intriguing points that might play a significant role in the future of the MCU.
How The Consultant Is Vital To Phase 5 Of The MCU
The Thunderbolts team originally debuted in Marvel Comics in 1997’s The Incredible Hulk #449. The squad included various villains who appeared to have changed their ways, notably Baron Helmut Zemo, who is played by Daniel Brühl in the MCU. Zemo was supposed to lead the team in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) following his appearance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but Zemo was also absent from the Thunderbolts roster, and details from The Consultant may have hinted that the World Security Council was involved in assembling the team. The World Security Council hasn’t been seen since 2014’s Captain America and the Winter Soldier, but The Consultant’s mention of them suggests that they still want to assemble their superhuman force.
It’s doubtful that General Ross will make another appearance in the MCU following the tragic death of William Hurt, thus it’s probable that the squad may be named in honor of the distinguished Secretary of State. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, whose clandestine mission to recruit superhuman beings was shown in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Black Widow maybe the World Security Council work via her. The Consultant has gained new significance now that Fontaine and other actors have been cast in the Thunderbolts film. Additionally, because of its historical connection to Abomination, Blonsky’s character Abomination may still make an appearance in Thunderbolts even if he is not a member of the main cast.
