Loki’s legendary scepter returns in the first trailer for Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*, being seen again after a decade-long absence from the MCU. Marvel Studios released the first teaser trailer for Thunderbolts* on September 23, raising anticipation for the high-octane Phase 5 movie that will bring together several antiheroes and reformed villains from the MCU’s history. Bringing back so many age-old characters will act as a celebration of the MCU’s past, and the return of some notable relics in Thunderbolts*, including Loki’s scepter from The Avengers, will continue this pattern.
Thunderbolts* is expected to call back to various points in the entire history of the MCU, most notably as Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, who debuted in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, will be a key member of the titular team. The first trailer for Thunderbolts* has revealed that Barnes’ inclusion won’t be the only reference to the MCU’s Phase 1, however. Some sort of event is expected to unfold concerning the Battle of New York, which unfolded in 2012’s The Avengers, the project that marked the first appearance of Loki’s powerful scepter.
Why Loki’s Scepter Is On Display In Thunderbolts*
Loki’s Scepter Is Part Of Some Sort Of Benefit In The Thunderbolts* Trailer
Several scenes in Thunderbolts*’ teaser trailer take place as what appears to be a benefit or museum event commemorating the Battle of New York. This epic battle saw the Avengers come together for the first time to fight Tom Hiddleston’s Loki and his Chitauri army in the streets and skies of New York City, making themselves known to the world as a superhero team. It’s unclear what this event is actually for in Thunderbolts*, but various artifacts from the Battle of New York can be seen on display, one of which is Loki’s scepter.
It seems both Bucky Barnes and Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine are in attendance at this event, and there’s no doubt that Bucky will be feeling some kind of personal connection to the exhibit, considering his best friend’s role in the Battle of New York. While the appearance of Loki’s scepter at this event is a fun call-back to the MCU’s past, it’s unclear exactly how Valentina may have acquired it, or indeed any of the other artifacts. This could simply be a show of Valentina’s sheer power and influence.
Loki’s Scepter Was Last Seen In Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Ultron Used The Mind Stone In Loki’s Scepter To Bring Vision To Life
By the time Thunderbolts* releases in May 2025, it will have been an entire decade since Loki’s scepter was seen in the MCU’s main continuity. The formidable weapon last appeared in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, which revealed that the scepter housed an Infinity Stone, specifically the Mind Stone. The Avengers initially lead a charge against HYDRA in Sokovia to reacquire Loki’s scepter, not knowing that it had been used to enhance Wanda and Pietro Maximoff’s abilities. Soon after he woke up, however, Ultron stole the scepter from the Avengers.
The Mind Stone was initially explained as giving Wanda and Pietro their powers, but 2021’s
WandaVision
implied the Infinity Stone only enhanced their innate gifts.
Hoping to create himself a synthetic body made of vibranium, Ultron used the Mind Stone from Loki’s scepter to bring this body to life. This would eventually become Vision, who used the Mind Stone many times as a powerful weapon. However, Loki’s scepter was never seen again after Ultron removed the Mind Stone, which took place in Dr. Helen Cho’s laboratory in Seoul, South Korea. It’s possible that Valentina was able to acquire the scepter quite easily from Seoul, allowing it to appear a decade later in Thunderbolts*.
The MCU Has Shown Loki’s Scepter In Alternate Universes
The Scepter Is Loki’s Most Iconic Weapon Across The Multiverse
While Loki’s scepter hasn’t been seen in the MCU’s main continuity since Avengers: Age of Ultron, multiversal versions of the weapon have been featured since then. The scepter was acquired during Avengers: Endgame’s Time Heist so that the Avengers could collect the Mind Stone. Loki wields the scepter in What If…? season 1, episode 3,” What If… the World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?,” and it also made appearances in season 2, episodes 5 and 8, “What If… Captain Carter Fought the HYDRA Stomper?” and “What If… The Avengers Assembled in 1602?.”
Loki’s scepter has has a huge impact on the MCU since its debut in The Avengers. Beyond that, it has also become Loki’s preferred weapon, albeit with different capabilities, in Marvel Comics. While the scepter may be powerless without the Mind Stone, it’s appearance in Thunderbolts* will still provide a fun connection to the history of the MCU, and it will be an active display of how powerful, influential and sinister Valentina Allegra de Fontaine really is.