Josh Brolin first brought the iconic villain Thanos to life in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, but his menacing capabilities were fully revealed in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War. Following a climactic battle, Thanos met his end in Avengers: Endgame, but fans can look forward to his return in upcoming installments Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, where he is expected to appear as a Variant. There is strong speculation that the films will revisit a famed scene from Secret Wars, featuring Doctor Doom in a fierce confrontation with Thanos.
In a recent interview with The Independent, Brolin reflected on his decade-long journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He expressed a nostalgic appreciation for the unique experience of portraying such a complex character, stating, “There just seemed to be a perfect trajectory of 10 years. You’re in a f***ing onesie, and you have dots all over your face, and it’s a joke, and you’re having to totally rely on your imagination. It’s so great.”
Moving beyond the MCU, Brolin has collaborated with acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve on the Dune franchise. He passionately praised Villeneuve’s innovative vision, expressing enthusiasm for the director’s plans to reboot the James Bond franchise for Amazon MGM, remarking, “I think it’s going to be f***ing fantastic. I love spending time with him. I would do anything with Denis. Talk about a guy who hasn’t drunk the Kool-Aid.”
During the interview, Brolin was also asked about parallels drawn between his character Monsignor Wicks in the upcoming movie Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery and former President Donald Trump. While he mentioned that he could fabricate a connection of “Trumpian greed,” Brolin clarified that it is not rooted in truth. He elaborated on Wicks’s pursuit of power and likened it to a broader commentary on ambition and control.
Brolin reflected on his past acquaintance with Trump, revealing they became friends while filming Oliver Stone’s Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps. He acknowledged the complexities of Trump’s character, stating, “I’m sure there was a lot of corruption involved,” in the context of Trump’s ventures in the late Seventies. Delving into the psychology of Trump’s appeal, Brolin noted, “There is no greater genius than him in marketing – he takes the weakness of the general population and fills it.”
As political conversations remain polarizing, Brolin’s insights on Trump are sure to catch attention. However, the anticipation continues to build for Brolin’s return as Thanos, as fans await the Russo Brothers’ vision for the villain when Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, followed closely by Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027. This path suggests an exciting journey ahead not only for Brolin but for the Marvel franchise itself.