The asterisk hullabaloo had everything to do with setting up The New Avengers ahead of Avengers: Doomsday ’s release next summer. While I wasn’t exactly surprised about the reveal when the movie reached its end (especially considering we already know the Thunderbolts* cast are part of the Avengers;

The 'Thunderbolts' post-credits scene sets up 'Fantastic Four' and 'Avengers: Doomsday' as the New Avengers are officially formed.

The “Old Avengers” — Robert Downey Jr., Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie and more stars from “Avengers: Doomsday” saluted the cast of “Thunderbolts” as the “New Avengers.”