Josh Brolin's Thanos Return Would Set Up The Ultimate MCU Versus Match - Straight From The Comics

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Story details for Avengers: Secret Wars are still forthcoming, though it is possible to confidently predict how it will shape up. The comic book run it's named after sees Doctor Doom presiding over a single planet cobbled together from sections of various universes destroyed by incursions with the powers of a god, becoming the insurmountable God Emperor Doom. The story brings Marvel variants from across the multiverse together, with Thanos among them in one of the most unforgettable interactions in Marvel Comics.

Thanos' Role In Secret Wars Was Unforgettable

Doom Made Quick Work Of The Mad Titan

Avengers: Secret Wars will most likely adapt the 2015 run of the same name due to the MCU's current focus on the Multiverse and Doom's central role. Should this be the case, it may replicate a series of panels from Marvel Comics that saw Doctor Doom face fellow big bad, Thanos, in a decidedly brief encounter. In it, Thanos challenges Doom's godhood with the Annihilation Horde at his back, confidently asserting that he could defeat Doom even without the Infinity Gauntlet in his possession. Doom then plunges his fist into Thanos' chest and rips out his spine.

Doctor Doom's godlike powers in Secret Wars were taken from the Beyonders, some of Marvel's most powerful cosmic beings.

Even without a complete Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos is no joke. He does, after all, defeat Hulk at the beginning of Avengers: Infinity War in hand-to-hand combat. Without his godlike powers, Doom would indeed have cause for concern in a face-off with Thanos - particularly as the Mad Titan descends on Doom in a surprise attack, leaving the strategic genius little time to prepare. In this particular circumstance, however, Thanos' hubris helps to demonstrate just how powerful God Emperor Doom has become.

Josh Brolin's Return Means Secret Wars Can Play This Comic Book Scene Straight

The Fight Would Be Reminiscent Of Thanos Defeating Hulk In Avengers: Infinity War

Josh Brolin, who portrayed Thanos throughout the Infinity Saga, was recently asked by Collider whether he would return to the role if asked for Avengers: Secret Wars. Brolin confirmed that he would be happy to as long as the circumstances were conducive, stating "Thanos has to fit if you’re going to bring him back. I would do anything that the Russos wanted me to do." The Multiverse Saga provides plenty of room for wanton cameos, but this interaction matches Brolin's conditions perfectly.

Having Doom effortlessly destroy the villain that caused so much devastation in the Infinity Saga would drive home just how heightened the stakes have become compared to the past.

Thanos plays a minor role in the events of Secret Wars. Brolin's return would only need to be as brief as his smattering of scenes throughout the Infinity Saga in the lead-up to Avengers: Infinity War. Yet the scene would be crucial in one key way: establishing just how powerful the MCU's newest arch-villain is. Having Doom effortlessly destroy the villain that caused so much devastation in the Infinity Saga would drive home just how heightened the stakes have become compared to the past.

Could The Infinity Stones Even Return In Secret Wars?

Comic Book Precedent Says They Can

Black Panther wielding the Infinity Guantlet, which surges with bright yellow energy.

Thanos is so inexorably tied to the Infinity Stones that his arrival in Avengers: Secret Wars would raise the question of whether they would come with him. It is also impossible not to consider the power of the stones in the face of the hopelessness engendered by Doom's seemingly insurmountable superiority. In the comics, Thanos does not possess the stones - but they do appear. Moments after Doom destroys Thanos, Black Panther enters the fray with a complete Infinity Gauntlet and challenges Doom to a godly battle.

Marvel Characters With Infinity Stones Video Image

Every MCU Character Who Wielded An Infinity Stone (Besides Thanos)

Thanos was the first to gather the six Infinity Stones, but many other characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe also wielded them at some point.

This further demonstrates the power at Doom's disposal, as the two proceed to be evenly matched. Amid the typical blasts of energy deployed by both parties, the two can also be seen piloting mechs and transforming into cosmic beasts. Ultimately, Black Panther falls to Doom before admitting that their almighty brawl was simply a distraction to allow other parties to complete a more consequential mission to counteract Doom. Still, for the same reasons as reintroducing Thanos, replicating this scene in Avengers: Secret Wars would be a surefire way of showing how powerful Doom truly is.

Avengers: Secret Wars is the sixth Avengers film and takes place during phase six of Marvel's Cinematic Universe. The film will see several heroes from the prior phases return and battle against a cosmic threat to rival Thanos, and borrows elements of the Marvel Comics event of the same name.

Release Date May 7, 2027

Studio(s) Marvel Studios