Warning: This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.
Summary
After recent casting news from Marvel Studios, I think the best place for Josh Brolin to return as Thanos in theMCUwould be in Phase 6’s much anticipatedAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars. Thanos was teased for several years as the primary antagonist of the MCU’s Infinity Saga, with brief appearances inThe Avengers, Guardians of the GalaxyandAvengers: Age of Ultronmaking his true debut inAvengers: Infinity Wareven more exciting. Now, I think the Mad Titan has the perfect opportunity to return.
We haven’t seenThanos in the MCU’s main continuitysince 2019’sAvengers: Endgame, which saw Earth’s Mightiest Heroes defeat two different versions of the iconic Marvel villain. However, back in February, Thanos actor Josh Brolin revealed toComicbook.comthathe’d heard"through the grapevine"about Marvel Studios bringing the Mad Titan back into the mix. With no official confirmation, it’s hard to tell how this could happen, but recent casting news makes me think Thanos will have a major role inPhase 6’sAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars.
You know, I hear kind of like through the grapevine, that they’re gonna bring him back. And there’s theWhat If…?series and that’s a different kind of Thanos and all that. But I don’t know in the Marvel world whether they’re going to bring him back, but I didn’t know that he was the most killed-off Marvel villain … You learn something new every day.
Thanos Could Return With The Cabal In Avengers: Doomsday & Secret Wars
In the lead-up to Marvel Comics’Secret Warsevent in 2015, massive incursions threatened to destroy the multiverse, prompting the Illuminati to destroy alternate worlds in an attempt to save their own. The moral cost of this weighed heavily on the Illuminati’s members, except Namor, so when the team gave up, Namor formed a new version of thevillain group, the Cabal, which included Thanos.I would love to see Josh Brolin’s Thanos brought back to the MCU as a member of a live-action Cabal.
Namor’s Cabal in Marvel Comics comprised himself, Thanos, the Inhuman Maximus, and Black Order members Proxima Midnight, Corvus Glaive, Terrax the Truly Enlightened and Black Swan.
I imagine directing duo the Russo brothers will try and stay as faithful as possible to Marvel Comics’Secret Warsstories, as they hold these events in high esteem. This makes me think thatAvengers: Doomsdaywill explore MCU characters' attempts at stopping incursions from ravaging their world.Doctor Strange may establish an Illuminati team after his experience in Phase 4, while Tenoch Huerta’s antihero Namor could form the Cabal. This meansAvengers: Secret Warscould reunite Josh Brolin and Robert Downey Jr., as the latter has officially been cast as theMCU’s Doctor Doom.
After RDJ’s Doctor Doom Casting, I Want To See Thanos’ Iconic Death From Marvel Comics’ Secret Wars
Namor’s Cabal were ultimately left on Earth to die in the unstoppable incursion, but they managed to escape to the Ultimate Marvel Universe and acquire one of Reed Richards' life-rafts, which safely escorted them to Doctor Doom’s Battleworld.The Cabal threatened the stability of life on Battleworld, so become an immediate target for Doom. This eventually leads toDoctor Doom tearing Thanos' skeleton from his bodyinSecret Wars #8, which has since become one of the story’s most memorable and brutal moments.
Marvel Confirms The Biggest Avengers 6 Villain Theory
With the reveal that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom, Marvel has now set up Avengers: Secret Wars to live up to the comics.
Robert Downey Jr. has been cast as Doctor Doom ahead of his major role inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars. I’m incredibly excited about this casting, though some have expressed concern.Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom means that, should Josh Brolin return inDoomsdayandSecret Wars, this legendary moment from Marvel Comics can be adapted for the MCU. I’d love to see this rematch between Downey Jr. and Brolin’s MCU characters, as they previously fought asIron Man and Thanos inInfinity War, though this time, Doom would come out on top.
Deadpool & Wolverine Reversed Thanos’ Secret Wars Death, So It Is Possible In The MCU
Some may imagine thatwatching Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom tear the skeleton from Josh Brolin’s Thanos' body might be much too graphic for the family-friendly tones of the MCU. However, a similar death has already been seen in the franchise - granted, this was in the R-ratedDeadpool & Wolverine. Chris Evans made his triumphant return to the MCU inDeadpool & Wolverine, not as Captain America, but asJohnny Storm’s Human Torch fromFantastic Fourand its 2007 sequel, but this didn’t end well for the flaming First Family member.
Emma Corrin’s Cassandra Novaripped the skin off Johnny Storm’s body due to his insubordination inDeadpool & Wolverine, leaving him just a chattering pile of bones and organs. Of course,Deadpool & Wolverine’sR-rating means this works here, but perhaps wouldn’t be seen in the mainstream MCU. However, reversing this by having Doctor Doom remove Thanos' innards would be a brilliant way to showcase his pure brutality and ego. This might just be wishful thinking on my part, but I would loveAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Warsto explore this incredible Marvel rivalry to its fullest.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Cast
Avengers: Secret Wars is an anticipated installment in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as the finale of The Multiverse Saga. Scheduled for release in December 2027, the film’s plot remains under wraps, fueling curiosity about its role in the expansive Marvel narrative.
