Thanos in "Avengers: Secret Wars"

Thanos is definitely one of the most memorable villains in the MCU. The Titan was actually defeated in "Avengers: Endgame". However, according to actor Josh Brolin, we might get to see the character one more time in "Avengers: Secret Wars".

In an interview with Deadline, he spoke positively about returning to the role. Quote:

"I would do anything that the Russos wanted me to do".

However, Brolin also emphasized that a return only makes sense if a strong and meaningful story is told. This way, he wants to ensure that Thanos' appearance doesn't just degenerate into mere fanservice.

His return would certainly make sense: The plot of "Secret Wars" is based on the same-named comic series by Marvel from 2015, in which different realities and universes collide. These form a new world, the so-called Battleworld. In the comics, Thanos plays an essential role and faces off against the ultimate antagonist Doctor Doom. Doom takes control of the universes and establishes himself as the God Emperor of the Battleworld. However, Thanos challenges this claim to power. So there is more than enough potential for a prominent role for the old villain.

"Avengers: Secret Wars" will once again be directed by the Russo brothers. In addition to Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, other characters from the MCU have already been confirmed, including the Fantastic Four and the Thunderbolts. Of course, it is fairly likely that the usual big heroes such as Spider-Man will also be involved. The planned Avengers film will be released in cinemas on May 7, 2027.

Speaking of Spider-Man: Sony has finally officially announced the theatrical release of "Spider-Man 4" for July 24, 2026. That's just two months after the release of "Avengers: Doomsday". This is reminiscent of the release strategy for "Far From Home": It was also released in 2019 only a short period of time after "Avengers: Endgame".

All Avengers films at a glance

The "Avengers" films have turned the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) into a global pop culture phenomenon and have become an integral part of the modern movie world. The four "Avengers" films, which were released between 2012 and 2019, have not only shaped superhero stories, but also significantly changed the blockbuster genre. In this article, we take a look at all the Avengers films and their significance for the MCU.

The Avengers (2012) – The first big superhero team-up

The first "Avengers" film, directed by Joss Whedon, was released in 2012 and was a kind of conclusion to the first phase of the MCU. Up until this point, Marvel Studios had produced a number of standalone films that introduced heroes such as Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and Hulk. The Avengers finally brought them all together and represented the first superhero team-up of its kind in movie history.

The story revolves around Loki, Thor's brother, who plans to attack Earth with the help of the powerful Tesseract. Nick Fury, the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., brings the heroes together to fight the alien threat and stop Loki. The movie became a huge success and grossed over 1.5 billion dollars, making it one of the most successful films of all time. The team dynamics between the characters, such as the friction between Iron Man and Captain America or the explosive rage of the Hulk, were also masterfully captured and gave the film that little bit extra.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) – The dark side of the heroes

Three years after the first part, "Avengers: Age of Ultron" followed, again directed by Joss Whedon. This time, the team faces an opponent who has emerged from their own ranks. Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Bruce Banner (Hulk) have created an artificial intelligence called Ultron to protect humanity. But things go awry when Ultron develops a consciousness of his own and sees humanity as a threat that must be eradicated.

The film explores deeper and more complex themes, such as the responsibility of power and the ethical issues surrounding the use of technology. Age of Ultron also introduces new characters to the MCU, including Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) and her brother Pietro (Quicksilver), as well as the android Vision, who is brought to life by the Mind Stone. The film focused less on lightness and humor and instead emphasized the darkness and personal challenges involved in saving the world. Although "Age of Ultron" was well received and grossed over 1.4 billion dollars, the response from fans was more mixed than the first installment.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – The battle against Thanos

"Avengers: Infinity War" marked the beginning of the climax of the Infinity saga and was the first time that all the heroes of the MCU, including the Guardians of the Galaxy, were united. Directed by the Russo brothers, the heroes of the MCU came together to put a stop to Thanos, one of the most powerful villains in the Marvel Universe. Thanos wants to collect the six Infinity Stones and, with a snap of his fingers, wipe out half of all life in the universe to restore balance.

"Infinity War" is darker than any previous Avengers film and ends in a surprising and emotional cliffhanger: Thanos wins and achieves his goal, leading to the disintegration and destruction of many heroes. It was one of the boldest decisions in the MCU to leave the audience with such an open ending and the apparent defeat of the heroes. The film broke records worldwide and grossed over 2 billion dollars, hugely increasing anticipation for the conclusion of the story.

Avengers: Endgame (2019) – The epic finale of the Infinity saga

After the shock of "Infinity War", "Avengers: Endgame", also directed by the Russo brothers, was eagerly awaited. "Endgame" picks up directly after the events of "Infinity War" and shows the Avengers trying to come to terms with their defeat and the loss of their friends and family. But they find a way to undo what has happened: time travel. The heroes split into teams, travel to previous events in the MCU and try to find the Infinity Stones before Thanos ever reaches them.

"Endgame" is more than just a typical superhero movie; it's a tribute to the entire MCU and an emotional send-off for some of the most recognizable characters, like Iron Man and Captain America. The epic battle between the combined forces of the heroes and Thanos' army is one of the biggest and most impressive action spectacles in movie history. The film became the most successful movie of all time and grossed over 2.7 billion dollars worldwide. "Endgame" concluded the Infinity saga and also set the starting point for new stories in the MCU.