Taskmaster’s Thunderbolts* Concept Art Shows How Much The MCU Wasted Her

Taskmaster Deserved Better in the MCU

After the release of Thunderbolts*, fans are still mourning the abrupt loss of a character who had so much potential: Taskmaster. Originally introduced in Black Widow (2021) as Antonia Dreykov, Taskmaster had a divisive debut, but many hoped Thunderbolts* would give her a proper redemption arc.

Unfortunately, those hopes were cut short.

Despite improvements in her visual design, Taskmaster’s time in Thunderbolts* was shockingly brief, and she was killed off by Ghost early in the film. This not only disappointed fans but also wasted a character with immense untapped potential.

Thunderbolts* Concept Art Reveals Taskmaster’s Best Look Yet

Recently released concept art from Thunderbolts* surfaced on Reddit, showcasing Taskmaster’s redesigned costume — and it’s absolutely stunning. Dressed in a sleek blue tactical suit with upgraded armor and her signature skull mask, this version of Taskmaster clearly draws more from the comic book source material than her earlier MCU portrayal.

The skull mask in particular, which fans criticized in Black Widow, was finally given a comic-accurate upgrade — making her look like a true force to be reckoned with.

Sadly, this amazing design never had the chance to shine on screen for more than a few moments.

The MCU Continues To Waste One Of Marvel’s Most Iconic Villains

Taskmaster in Marvel Comics is known for her ability to mimic the fighting style of any opponent — a skill that puts her on par with some of Marvel’s best fighters. But the MCU reduced this powerful character to a silent enforcer with minimal screen time and little narrative importance.

In Thunderbolts*, she’s briefly seen, then shot by Ghost during Valentina’s betrayal. No major fight scene. No dialogue. No closure.

This makes Taskmaster one of the most underused villains in the MCU, despite her rich comic book history and powerful skill set.

Could The MCU Still Salvage Taskmaster’s Legacy?

Although Taskmaster is dead in the main timeline, all hope might not be lost. Marvel is known for finding ways to resurrect or reimagine characters, especially with the multiverse and animated spin-offs in play.

Possibility 1: Finesse

In the Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man animated series, a new character named Finesse is introduced. In Marvel Comics, Finesse is the daughter of Taskmaster with similar photographic reflexes. She could be a natural successor to Antonia Dreykov’s legacy in the MCU.

 Possibility 2: Anthony Masters

Alternatively, Marvel could go back to the original comic book version of Taskmaster, Anthony Masters, and introduce him as someone inspired by Antonia. This would open the door for deeper character development and restore much of the comic lore that was sidelined in Black Widow.

Final Thoughts

The Thunderbolts* concept art reminds us of what could have been. Taskmaster had all the ingredients to become a fan-favorite antihero or villain in the MCU. A compelling backstory, unique powers, and a striking design — all wasted in a few short minutes of screen time.

Whether Marvel will revisit her legacy remains to be seen, but fans won’t forget what was lost — and what could still be reclaimed.

Source: screenrant.com