Marvel’s marketing team has stirred up debate again after quietly altering the official Thunderbolts* poster for its upcoming Disney+ release. 
The changes? Taskmaster is completely gone, and Bucky and Yelena’s guns have been erased – leaving them pointing fingers and fists instead of holding weapons.
The edits were instantly spotted by fans comparing the streaming version with the theatrical one. Taskmaster’s removal doesn’t come as a huge surprise – despite being hyped as a core member early on, she was sidelined in the final film and given little to do. Many argue Marvel misled audiences by promoting her heavily in trailers, only to reduce her to background noise once the story pivoted toward Lewis Pullman’s character Bob. For some, her absence on the poster is justice after how the character was handled; for others, it’s just another reminder of wasted potential.
But what really has fans laughing (or fuming) is the missing guns. In the original poster, Yelena clutched a pistol while Bucky wielded a compact submachine gun. Now? Yelena’s hand has been reshaped into a closed fist, while Bucky’s outstretched finger makes it look like he’s angrily pointing at U.S. Agent Walker. Instead of an intense showdown, the new version makes the team appear as though they’re about to start a slapstick brawl.
Some believe Disney wanted to soften the image for a wider streaming audience, avoiding weapons on a bright yellow background that looks more like a buddy comedy than a warzone. Others see it as another case of unnecessary censorship, especially considering Disney+ already streams R-rated content. Fans have even compared it to Spielberg’s infamous decision to replace guns with walkie-talkies in E.T.
The poster tweaks have also reignited discussion about the film’s rocky reception. Thunderbolts* pulled in $382 million worldwide – not a flop, but far below Marvel’s usual numbers. Many blame audience fatigue, lack of attachment to lesser-known characters, and a divisive ending that swapped a big climactic fight for a mind-bending hug. Still, those who enjoyed the movie will get another dose of the team in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, even if a proper sequel looks unlikely.
So, while some shrug at the poster changes, others see them as symbolic of Disney’s awkward struggle to market a film that’s already caught between comedy, action, and controversy. Either way, the Thunderbolts arrive on Disney+ August 27 – guns or no guns.