Marvel Rivals fans get ready as The Thing and Human Torch are set to join the fight. NetEase Games announced that these two iconic Fantastic Four members will become playable characters on February 21 2025. This update will also mark the arrival of Season 1.5 for the hero shooter.
While details about Season 1.5 are still under wraps a blog post on the Marvel Rivals website suggests "major balance adjustments" are coming. Players are eager to see how The Thing and Human Torch will change the game with their unique powers. Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman previously joined Marvel Rivals at the start of Season 1 and they brought new strategies to the game. Now Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm are expected to do the same when they launch in a few weeks. Fans are hoping for some gameplay reveals before their release.
The Season 1 update will also bring a rank reset for Ranked players. On February 21 ranks will drop by four divisions. NetEase explained that new seasons will cause a six-division drop while mid-season updates like this one will bring a four-division drop. They also mentioned they will adjust this system based on player feedback.
However it is not all bad news for competitive players. Gold rank players can anticipate new costume rewards with the arrival of Season 1.5. NetEase is also introducing new Crests of Honor to "recognize players at Grandmaster Celestial Eternity and One Above All (the top 500)."
Fans have been waiting for post-launch content details for Marvel Rivals. Creative director Guangyun Chen previously stated a new character would be released every half-season. This means a new Marvel hero or villain will join the roster roughly every six weeks. While rumors point to Blade as a potential next character for now the future remains officially unknown.
In other Marvel news Colman Domingo has addressed rumors about him possibly replacing Jonathan Majors as Kang in the MCU . On the Happy Sad Confused podcast Domingo discussed how the persistent rumors led to him having a meeting with Marvel executives.
Domingo said “When it was constantly in the press and on places like Twitter I was like ‘Wait a minute. Is this true? Am I being talked about for Kang?’” He contacted his team to check if there were conversations happening without his knowledge but they confirmed there were not.
However Domingo revealed there had been "conversations of me coming into Marvel in some way." This prompted a meeting with Marvel heads. "We talked openly about the landscape of Marvel and the Kang rumors" Domingo stated. He further explained "I am all about energy. I want to do things that make sense and bring gentle energy. I want a role to be mine whatever I develop. Something didn’t feel right to me about replacing someone. I want to build something from the ground up that is my own.”
Domingo clarified that replacing Majors was "never a conversation from my point of view." While he is not stepping into the Kang role Domingo hinted at future Marvel projects saying "I want to build something from the ground up so there still are talks.”
Jonathan Majors was initially introduced as Kang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania but Marvel Studios dropped him after his conviction for assault and harassment. Kang was expected to be a major part of the MCU but Marvel has since moved away from that plan. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty has been retitled to Avengers: Doomsday and rumors suggest Doctor Doom might be taking over as the primary antagonist.
Finally a new Thunderbolts trailer dropped during the Super Bowl giving fans a closer look at the upcoming MCU movie . The trailer hints at the main villain the team will face. Many believe it will be Lewis Pullman’s character Bob who may be revealed as Sentry.
The Thunderbolts trailer shows Valentina Allegra de Fontaine assembling her team of anti-heroes including Yelena Belova Red Guardian Bucky Barnes John Walker Taskmaster and Ghost. It highlights the team's dynamics and their struggle to work together. However this trailer offered a glimpse of a looming threat in the sky. The figure seen looking back at the team is speculated to be Bob possibly Sentry.
Sentry in Marvel Comics is Robert Reynolds a character with immense power comparable to Superman. He also has a dark side known as The Void. If Sentry is indeed the villain in Thunderbolts it could mean the team will be facing a powerful and complex threat perhaps even The Void itself.
What These Marvel News Mean For Marvel Games and MCU
Marvel Rivals Fantastic Four Addition and Rank Reset U-Turn Show Developer Responsiveness
Marvel Rivals' announcement of The Thing and Human Torch along with the quick reversal of the rank reset decision demonstrates NetEase Games' commitment to player feedback. The addition of beloved Fantastic Four characters will likely excite players and bring fresh gameplay dynamics. The initial rank reset plan caused significant community backlash highlighting the importance of considering player experience in game design. NetEase's swift response and u-turn indicate a willingness to adapt and prioritize player satisfaction.
Colman Domingo's Marvel Meeting Suggests Future Role Beyond Kang
Colman Domingo's discussion of Kang rumors and his meeting with Marvel suggests that while he will not be replacing Jonathan Majors as Kang Marvel is interested in collaborating with him on other projects. Domingo's desire to create an original role from the ground up aligns with the MCU's expanding universe and potential for new characters and storylines. This could mean Domingo might be cast as a different existing Marvel character or even a completely new character created for the MCU.
Thunderbolts Trailer Hints at Sentry Setting Up a Powerful New Threat
The Thunderbolts Super Bowl trailer strongly suggests Sentry will be the movie's main antagonist. Introducing Sentry a character with Superman-level powers and the dark Void alter ego could significantly raise the stakes in the MCU. This move could establish a powerful new threat capable of challenging even the strongest Avengers. The Thunderbolts facing such a formidable foe could lead to intense action and explore themes of redemption and morality within the team of anti-heroes.
Our Take On The Marvel Rivals Update Colman Domingo and Thunderbolts Trailer
Marvel Rivals Shows Promising Trajectory
The Marvel Rivals updates are encouraging. The addition of Fantastic Four characters and the developer's reaction to rank reset feedback bode well for the game's future. NetEase seems dedicated to building a game that resonates with players. Keeping fans engaged with regular character releases and adjusting gameplay based on community input is a solid strategy for long-term success.
Colman Domingo in MCU is a Welcomed Prospect
While Colman Domingo not taking on the Kang role might disappoint some his interest in joining the MCU in a different capacity is exciting. Domingo is a talented actor and seeing him in a Marvel project in a role that truly suits him would be a great addition to the franchise. His perspective on wanting an original role is also refreshing suggesting a desire for meaningful character development.
Thunderbolts Sentry Reveal Could Be a Major MCU Shift
If Sentry is indeed the villain in Thunderbolts it could be a significant and exciting direction for the MCU. Introducing a character of Sentry's power level and complexity can create compelling narratives and raise the stakes for future storylines. The Thunderbolts movie now has the potential to be more than just an anti-hero team-up it could be a crucial entry point for a powerful new force in the MCU.