There’s Only 1 More Thanos Scene I Need The MCU To Show Before He’s Gone For Good

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It’s unclear if Marvel will ever bring Thanos back, but I need to see one previously mentioned scene before the MCU is done with the character. Thanos was the central villain of the Infinity Saga, and he delivered in every way. Since he debuted in The Avengers post-credit scene, Thanos’ presence built slowly before confronting the Avengers in Avengers: Infinity War. While his motives were more understandable than many villains, his methods were despicable, and he left a reign of terror over the planets he and his armies encountered.

Thanos wreaked havoc on the universe for many years, with his quest to acquire all six Infinity stones decimating several planets, and eventually leading to his temporary victory. However, the Avengers inevitably won, bringing back everyone he snapped out of existence. Still, many planets remained destroyed after battling Thanos, including Xandar, the home of the Nova Corps featured in Guardians of the Galaxy. Before Thanos is gone for good, I need the MCU timeline to show what happened between Thanos and Xandar.

Thanos’ Most Impressive Show Of Power Was Never In The MCU

Marvel never showed the destruction of Xandar.

Guardians of the Galaxy ended with the Power Stone remaining on Xandar under the protection of the Nova Corps. However, when Thanos attacks Thor and the Asgardians at the beginning of Infinity War, Thanos already has the Power Stone. It’s later mentioned that Thanos decimated Xandar to get the stone, undoing all the Guardians did to defeat Ronan and save the planet. The fate of Glenn Close and John C. Reilly’s characters is unknown, but it’s safe to assume they didn’t have happy endings.

While this scene is one of the best demonstrations of Thanos’ power, it was never shown. A 45-minute scene in Infinity War showing Thanos destroying Xandar was shot, but then later deleted. In an interview with Near Mint Condition, Thanos’ comic book creator Jim Starlin said they “never wanted to spend the money on the effects, and they didn’t want the movie to be as long as the second one [Endgame] was.” Infinity War was already long, and an additional 45-minute sequence may have been unnecessary. Fortunately, Marvel has another opportunity to bring this scene to life.

Nova’s MCU Project Can Finally Show The Destruction Of Xandar

The Nova TV series can deliver this previously cut scene.

In July 2024, Kevin Feige confirmed that a Nova MCU series was being developed. The series focuses on Richard Rider, a random teenager given the powers of the last surviving centurion of the Nova Corps after Xandar was destroyed. Rider was given the powers of flight, near invulnerability, and super strength. Little is known about the Nova series, but it was recently announced that former Criminal Minds showrunner Ed Bernero joined the Marvel project as a writer and showrunner.

Who Is Nova? The MCU’s Next Cosmic Superhero Explained (Powers & Origin)

The MCU’s next cosmic hero has been teased as Nova, leading many to question aspects such as his character, story, and powers from Marvel Comics.

Given Richard Rider’s origins, this show is the perfect opportunity to show Thanos destroying Xandar. The planet needs to be destroyed for Rider to gain his powers, and the first episode could show how Xandar met its end and how Rider got his powers. In the comics, the intergalactic pirate Zorr destroyed Xandar, not Thanos, but it’s an easy change the MCU could make. It does create a plot hole regarding where Nova was in the five years between Infinity War and Endgame, but Marvel could change the timeline between Xandar’s destruction and Nova’s creation.

Josh Brolin Is Open To Thanos’ Return

The Dune actor wants to play Thanos again.

Thanos is a CGI character, so anyone could theoretically play him, but it would feel wrong to see him and not hear Josh Brolin’s voice. Brolin’s booming, stern performance is part of what made Thanos so threatening, and I want Marvel to bring him back if Thanos returns. Brolin is also interested in coming back if the situation is right. Speaking with Collider at New York Comic Con 2024, the Dune actor said he’s open to returning, especially if he can work with the Russo brothers again:

“I’m not kidding — There’s a thing with playing Thanos. It’s like, ‘Oh, they’re gonna bring Thanos back.’ It’s like Sicario; it has to be right. It’s like Ryan Reynolds and I talking about Taylor Swift and we should be talking about Deadpool 4. But we go back and forth. Again, it’s what in his mind fits, what in my mind fits. Thanos has to fit if you’re going to bring him back. I would do anything that the Russos wanted me to do.”

The Russos are returning for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, but they likely aren’t involved with the Nova series. However, there’s a good chance that Brolin will return to destroy Xandar, as that’s a perfect reason for Marvel to use Thanos again after his death. I hope Marvel strikes while Brolin is still interested in returning, so the studio can finally show audiences Thanos‘ destruction of Xandar with the actor once again reprising the iconic Marvel villain role.

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Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.