Thanos' Return Teased for MCU's Doomsday & Secret Wars by Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin recently dropped a massive hint that he's ready to suit up as Thanos once more, igniting a flurry of speculation about the Mad Titan's comeback in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars.

TL;DR: Here's the Lowdown

• Josh Brolin is clearly open to reprising his role as Thanos if the Russo Brothers, directors of the upcoming Avengers films, present him with an idea.
• Despite Thanos's definitive defeat in Avengers: Endgame, the concept of the multiverse offers a clear path for variant versions of the character to return.
• This potential comeback could set up an epic, comic-inspired showdown with Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom, who is poised as the MCU's next major villain.

Remembering the Mad Titan's Dominance and Devastation in the Infinity Saga

Think back to the sheer impact Thanos had on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He wasn't just another villain; he was the villain of The Infinity Saga, pushing Earth's Mightiest Heroes to their absolute breaking point. His snap in Avengers: Infinity War instantly became one of cinema's most iconic and devastating moments, wiping out half of all life in the universe. We watched our beloved heroes struggle, and ultimately, unite to reverse the damage, leading to Thanos's definitive defeat in 2019's Avengers: Endgame at the hands of Tony Stark's sacrifice.

For years, his story felt complete, a chapter closed. However, the MCU thrives on surprises, and the concept of the multiverse has effectively opened doors that once seemed permanently sealed. This narrative tool, introduced in later phases, allows for alternate realities and variant versions of characters we thought we'd said goodbye to forever. Josh Brolin himself has already dipped his toes back into the Mad Titan's persona, voicing a different iteration of the character in the animated series What If...?, proving that even a "defeated" Thanos can still loom large in the vastness of Marvel's expanding universe.

Josh Brolin's Conditions for a Grand Return as Thanos

The recent buzz ignited when Josh Brolin, during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, offered a very intriguing response when asked about a possible return as Thanos. His words have since echoed across fan communities, sparking intense discussions about what this could mean for the MCU's future.

"If Joe Russo comes to me, which he may have, I don't know, and has an idea, then I might acquiesce. Probably pretty quickly."

— Josh Brolin, via Entertainment Tonight

This isn't the first time Brolin has expressed enthusiasm for revisiting the role. In a previous "Happy Sad Confused" interview with Josh Horowitz, the actor stressed his readiness, stating, "If they called me in London right now and said let's do this, I'd be like, 'I'll be there tomorrow.'" His consistency in this stance, coupled with the Russo Brothers' return to direct the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, makes his latest comments carry significant weight. As of the time of this publication, Joe Russo has not publicly responded to Brolin's tease, leaving fans to eagerly await any official word.

Doctor Doom's Imminent Reign and a Potentially Brutal Crossover Moment

While Brolin's comments have sent ripples of excitement, it's crucial to remember the current trajectory of the Multiverse Saga. The MCU is now preparing to deal with Victor von Doom, famously known as Doctor Doom, with Robert Downey Jr. bringing the iconic villain to life. Avengers: Doomsday is set to kick off this multiversal war against RDJ's formidable Doom, establishing him as the franchise's next big bad, succeeding previous threats like Kang the Conqueror and, of course, Thanos.

So, where would Thanos fit into a story centered on Doctor Doom? This is where the rich history of Marvel Comics, specifically the iconic 2015 Secret Wars storyline, comes into play. Fans may recall a memorable moment where Doom utterly demolishes Thanos by ripping out his spine. Interestingly, back in September, Marvel seemingly teased this exact confrontation during a light show at the Walt Disney Studios Marketing Expo in Shanghai. Amidst various footage, a striking shot of RDJ's Doom tearing out Thanos's skeleton garnered immense traction, instantly sparking speculation about a live-action adaptation.

Example: Imagine the collective gasp in a packed cinema. A fan, deeply immersed in the lore, whispers to their friend, "Wait, is that... the Secret Wars moment?" Such a scene, if it were to open Doomsday, would not only serve as incredible fan service but also instantly establish Doctor Doom's unparalleled menace and power, a force capable of easily dispatching a figure as formidable as Thanos. It would provide a dramatic, shocking entrance for Doom, setting the stage for the massive conflict to come, while also echoing Iron Man's final act against Thanos in Endgame – a powerful villain meeting an even more powerful end.

While such a tease from a marketing expo could, of course, amount to nothing in the final cut, Marvel Studios is known for drawing inspiration directly from their comic book source material. Incorporating Thanos's demise at Doom's hands early in Doomsday would lend significant weight and gravitas to Doom, arguably making him a more immediate and terrifying threat than some of the recent big-bads. It's a calculated risk, but one that could pay off massively in terms of audience engagement and cinematic impact.

When Could We Expect Thanos's Multiversal Encore?

With Avengers: Doomsday approximately a year away from hitting theaters, scheduled for December 18, 2026, the timeline for a potential Thanos return is becoming clearer. The film will mark the beginning of Phase 6 of the MCU and is confirmed to feature a mix of familiar and new heroes, including Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. Kevin Feige even stated at CinemaCon 2025 that Marvel hasn't revealed every cast member yet for this ensemble film, leaving ample room for major surprises.

If Thanos isn't part of the Doomsday cast, Brolin's comments could be hinting at a role in Avengers: Secret Wars, which is currently slated for December 17, 2027. This film, also helmed by the Russo brothers, will serve as the grand finale to The Multiverse Saga. Given that Secret Wars has yet to begin filming, there's even more flexibility for creative plotting. As Marvel Studios reportedly prepares for a "reset" of the MCU in Phase 7 and beyond, bringing Thanos back in some capacity for one final bow in this climactic saga would feel fitting, closing out an era that he so profoundly shaped.

The Final Word: Balancing Legacy and New Threats

The idea of Thanos returning, even as a multiversal variant, presents an interesting narrative challenge. On one hand, his story seemed definitively concluded with Avengers: Endgame. Bringing him back could risk diluting the impact of that epic conclusion. The MCU has also consciously shifted towards new threats, with fresh faces like Doctor Doom and Galactus slated to be significant concerns. However, the multiverse fundamentally alters the rules, allowing for these narrative explorations without necessarily undoing past events.

Ultimately, Brolin's recurring openness, combined with the Russo brothers' involvement and the comic book precedence for a Doom vs. Thanos showdown, makes a return feel more plausible than ever. It's not about making Thanos the main villain again, but perhaps using his formidable presence to highlight Doom's power or to provide a deeper narrative connection to the multiversal stakes. It's a clever way to honor the past while forcefully ushering in the future of the MCU.

Practical Takeaways for Eager MCU Fans

• Stay Tuned for Trailer Drops: The Avengers: Doomsday trailer is confirmed for December (likely December 2025 given recent news cycles), which could reveal major cast surprises, including a potential Thanos hint.
• Embrace Multiversal Possibilities: Thanos's return would almost certainly be a variant, so don't expect a direct resurrection of the "original" Mad Titan. This opens up entirely new story avenues.
• Watch for Doom's Dominance: If Thanos does appear, it might be to solidify Doctor Doom's power and establish him as an even greater, more ruthless threat for the Multiverse Saga.
• Prepare for Comic Book Easter Eggs: Keep an eye out for visual cues or plot points directly inspired by iconic comic book moments, especially from the 2015 Secret Wars storyline.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About the Upcoming Avengers Films

When is Avengers: Doomsday officially releasing? Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026. (Source: ScreenRant) Who is directing Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars? Anthony and Joe Russo, who previously directed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, are returning to direct both films. (Source: ScreenRant) Who is the main villain confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday? Robert Downey Jr. is confirmed to play Victor von Doom, aka Doctor Doom, who is the primary antagonist for the film and the Multiverse Saga. (Source: ScreenRant) Will Thanos's return be a major plot point, or a cameo? While unconfirmed, if Thanos returns, given Doctor Doom's central villain role, it's more likely to be a significant appearance as a variant or a powerful demonstration of Doom's abilities, rather than Thanos reclaiming the main villain title.

Sources:

• ScreenRant, "Avengers: Doomsday A Year Away, With Robert Downey Jr. Bringing Doctor Doom To Life," [Date not specified, but context suggests recent].
• ScreenRant, "Josh Brolin Dropped A Big Tease That He May Be Coming Back To The MCU As Thanos," [Date not specified, but context suggests recent].
• CBR, "Josh Brolin Just Dropped a Massive Hint About Thanos' Eventual Return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe," [Date not specified, but context suggests recent].
• FandomWire, "Josh Brolin Hints Thanos Returning in Avengers: Doomsday After Revealing His Only Condition," November 10, 2025.
• GeekTyrant, "Josh Brolin’s Comments Hint Thanos Might Be Returning to the MCU in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY or SECRET WARS," [Date not specified, but context suggests recent].
• ComingSoon.net, "Avengers: Doomsday Thanos Role Seeming More Likely After Josh Brolin Comments," November 10, 2025.