Josh Brolin, the actor who famously brought Thanos to life in the MCU, has once again expressed his excitement at the idea of returning—despite the Mad Titan’s dramatic demise in Avengers: Endgame (2019). In fact, during a recent interview, Brolin made it clear that he hasn’t ruled out another appearance. As a result, his enthusiasm suggests that Thanos’ return could be more than just a fan theory.
Josh Brolin Is All In for Thanos’ Return
Even though Thanos was defeated and erased from existence, Brolin has made it clear that he would still gladly return to the role without a second thought. In his own words, he explained:
“I’ve said it, ‘Deadpool 2,’ I was like, ‘I’m glad it was one experience.’ The Thanos thing, if they called me in London right now and said, ‘Let’s do this.’ I’d be like, ‘I’ll be there tomorrow.'”
His statement leaves little room for doubt. Not only that, but Brolin also loved portraying the iconic villain and seems deeply attached to the MCU and its legacy. Therefore, this openness to returning could make him a perfect fit for a multiverse storyline—or even a powerful flashback sequence.
Moreover, Brolin’s portrayal of Thanos wasn’t just another villain role. Instead, his nuanced performance lent the character emotional depth and complexity that truly resonated with audiences worldwide.
His Bond with the Russo Brothers
In addition to his passion for the role, Brolin also highlighted his ongoing relationship with the creative masterminds behind Thanos’ greatest moments—Joe and Anthony Russo. At one point, he shared:
“I talk to Downey probably four to six times a year. As for the Russos, we connect four to six times a week. Joe and I speak often—really often. We even have a business we’re working on together. Honestly, I love them. Both of them.”
Undoubtedly, this strong connection could very well influence future casting decisions. Given that the Russo Brothers are deeply involved in the next big Avengers films, their bond with Brolin could ultimately pave the way for something unexpected and exciting.
Could Thanos’ Return Happen in Avengers: Doomsday?
The upcoming Avengers: Doomsday is already shaping up to be a major turning point in the Multiverse Saga. With Joe and Anthony Russo set to direct both this and Secret Wars, the possibilities for returning legacy characters are endless. When asked about the Russo Brothers’ new direction, Brolin said:
“Of course, they are going to come up with something really fun. I mean, who knows? That was a 10-year [story] with the building kind of thing. And that was its own book-ended deal, and I don’t know what they’re going to do, but I am sure it will be interesting. I think they do that very, very, very well.”
This kind of open-ended optimism is exactly what fans want to hear. With the multiverse in play, even dead characters like Thanos are never truly gone. If there’s one thing Marvel Studios has taught its audience, it’s to expect the unexpected.
Why a Thanos Return Makes Sense
There are several in-universe ways to justify Thanos’ return. Marvel has already introduced time travel, alternate timelines, and parallel universes. Variants of Loki and Kang have appeared in different forms—and the same could happen with Thanos. Whether it’s a darker version, a reformed Titan, or a past iteration brought into the present, the multiverse opens the door to nearly any creative possibility.
Plus, bringing back Thanos—even briefly—would be a nostalgic callback to the Infinity Saga, which remains one of Marvel’s most beloved storylines.
Josh Brolin’s willingness to return doesn’t confirm anything yet, but it certainly sparks excitement. With Avengers: Doomsday set for release on December 18, 2026, and Secret Wars following in 2027, there’s still plenty of time for Marvel to surprise fans.
If Marvel decides to bring him back, they’d be adding serious weight to their already ambitious plans. After all, Thanos wasn’t just any villain—he was the face of Marvel’s most defining era.
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