Marvel Studios
Growing up in North Texas during the '90s meant curating a CD collection that defined who you were, and The Toadies were a staple. Their 1994 album Rubberneck was on everyone's shelf, with tracks like “Possum Kingdom” and “Tyler” filling afternoons with a sound that felt both familiar and electric.
Fast forward to today, and there I am watching the trailer for Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” when the unmistakable opening of “Possum Kingdom” takes me right back to those unforgettable days. That iconic line —“Do you wanna die?”—remixed and woven into the fabric of a Marvel teaser, is a bold reminder of a time when music and youth collided in the best way possible.
The decision to feature “Possum Kingdom” in the trailer isn’t just a nostalgic nod to a beloved track — it’s a declaration of tone. Instead of the usual orchestral swell, the trailer opts for the raw energy of alternative rock. As the track’s guitar riffs kick in, each Thunderbolts team member—Bucky, Yelena, Red Guardian, John Walker, Ghost, and Taskmaster — emerges on screen, hinting at the darker, more complex side of their characters.
Stephen Montoya
The choice of song feels especially poignant when you consider its deeper meaning. Frontman Vaden Todd Lewis once explained to American Songwriter in 2013 that “Possum Kingdom” is about loneliness and the search for connection, a theme that resonates with the characters in “Thunderbolts.” These aren’t your typical heroes; each member has a troubled past, a personal battle with right and wrong. The lyric, “Make up your mind, decide to walk with me,” seems to capture the very crossroads they face — choosing between isolation and the promise of belonging with a team that understands their struggles.
There’s also something wonderfully local about the choice. The Toadies hail from Fort Worth, and their music carries the unmistakable pulse of our region — a mix of bold spirit and unmistakable character that’s hard to shake. When you hear “Possum Kingdom” underscoring the trailer, it’s not just a song; it’s a celebration of Texas’s enduring impact on music and pop culture.
Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” is gearing up to break new ground by embracing characters who defy easy labels. And what better way to signal that departure than by setting the stage with a track that’s as unconventional as it is timeless? The juxtaposition of an alt-rock anthem with the expansive universe of Marvel invites us to look beyond the surface and appreciate the complexity of heroes who are anything but black and white.
For anyone who grew up with The Toadies, this isn’t just a film trailer — it’s a full-circle moment. And for a new generation, it might just be the invitation to discover an album that defined a decade. Marvel, Texas, and The Toadies have teamed up to remind us that sometimes the best stories are told not just on screen, but in the music that scores our lives.
