Josh Brolin Hints at a Possible Thanos Return to the MCU

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is preparing to wrap up its Multiverse Saga with the upcoming films Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. A variety of characters are expected to return, and one major Marvel villain may be among them following a recent hint from actor Josh Brolin.

While no official confirmation has been made, the possibility gained attention after Brolin spoke with Entertainment Tonight. When asked if he might return as Thanos, he replied, “If [Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars co-director] Joe Russo comes to me, which he may have, I don’t know, and has an idea, then I might acquiesce. Probably pretty quickly.”

Thanos was killed off in Avengers: Endgame, and the Multiverse storyline offers opportunities for characters to reappear from alternate timelines. Still, with Robert Downey Jr. reportedly set to return as Doctor Doom and not Iron Man, Marvel seems to be relying heavily on familiar faces to draw audiences back into theaters.

Superhero films once dominated the box office, but recent years have shown signs of fatigue among fans and critics alike. Ticket sales for comic book movies have declined, and even Marvel’s biggest titles now face steep challenges in recapturing former levels of enthusiasm. With that in mind, some might say Brolin’s distance could work in his favor. He left the role on a high note, and returning at a time when the genre is losing momentum could risk diluting what was once one of the most memorable villain arcs in blockbuster history.

Marvel continues to move forward with its plans, but there is a growing sense that audiences may be turning the page on the superhero era. If Brolin chooses to sit this one out, it might be less about avoiding the character and more about preserving the legacy of a performance that helped define a decade of comic book storytelling.

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