The Mad Titan may be down, but he's not out—at least not if Josh Brolin has anything to say about it. In a recent interview with Collider, Brolin, who brought the iconic villain Thanos to life in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, revealed he would consider reprising his role, but only under the right circumstances. With Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, the possibility of Thanos's return has Marvel fans buzzing.
According to Brolin, returning to the MCU would be contingent on whether Thanos's role “fits” within the evolving storylines of Doomsday and Secret Wars. The actor emphasized that the decision would largely depend on the direction and overall purpose of the character in any new narrative. “Thanos has to fit,” Brolin shared, comparing his role to his work in Sicario, where character depth and story integrity are essential. Brolin's confidence in the Russo brothers' storytelling is clear, as he stated, “I would do anything that the Russos wanted me to do.” This loyalty to the directors reflects the strong creative bond formed while working on Infinity War and Endgame, movies that showcased Thanos's complex character arc.
Though he left the role memorably with Thanos's defeat in Endgame, Brolin's connection to the character remains strong. He shared a lighthearted memory from set, recalling a humorous moment with co-star Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner). Brolin, while immersed in a serious scene, forgot a line and turned to Ruffalo for help. “What's my line?” he asked, only for Ruffalo to humorously respond, “I don't know!” This behind-the-scenes camaraderie is part of what makes Brolin eager to return to the character if the story demands it.
With the Russo brothers returning for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, Marvel may yet find a place for Thanos to reappear, especially if Brolin's criteria are met. Whether or not the MCU's plans include the Mad Titan, Brolin's openness to returning has sparked fresh excitement among fans, who are ready for another dive into Thanos's character.
I find Brolin's measured approach to Thanos's potential return refreshing. Rather than jumping at the chance for a comeback, he's set on honoring the character's depth by only returning if it adds genuine value. Given the MCU's latest projects and the return of the Russo brothers, it seems plausible that Thanos could resurface in a meaningful way, especially with major cosmic events like Secret Wars on the horizon. Brolin's portrayal of Thanos was pivotal in shaping the MCU's narrative, and a return could add powerful stakes if done thoughtfully.
Do you think bringing Thanos back in Secret Wars or Doomsday would elevate the storyline, or should Marvel let the character rest?
