AVENGERS Helmer Joss Whedon Admits He Didn't Know What To Do With Thanos; Praises INFINITY WAR Directors
Joss Whedon launched the Avengers franchise with his 2012 film and introduced the villain Thanos, but recent comments from the director reveal he didn't map out the Titan's future before departing the MCU.
Joss Whedon is no longer involved in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he did provide them with one of its biggest films with 2012's Avengers. And while his follow up movie, Avengers: Age of Ultron, isn't as acclaimed as the first, the events in that film would impact future installments in the MCU.
Still, despite having a huge role in the earlier Marvel phases, recent statements make it clear Whedon didn't have everything mapped out, as he admits he "kind of hung [Thanos] out to dry." The director then went on to explain that he didn't have a clear plan for the Mad Titan after Age of Ultron:
“I love Thanos. I love his apocalyptic vision, his love affair with death. I love his power. But, I don’t really understand it. He’s had a lot of power, and he was cool in the comics. And I’m like, Thanos is the ultimate Marvel villain! And then I was like, I don’t actually know what I would do with Thanos. So, I liked what [the Russo brothers] did so much, and I thought Josh Brolin killed it. And they did an amazing job of keeping that performance on-screen. But it wasn’t like I was like, here’s a set of directions. I was like, I’m gonna get through Ultron, nap for four years, and then I’ll come to the premiere. Which I did! It was like, this is so cool!”
So, while he wasn't the one to bring Thanos to the forefront, it sounds like Whedon wanted the Titan to be in love with Death like the comic version. That said, the director revealed he was pleased with the changes the Russo Brothers made to Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War.
“I thought they did what they needed to do. [Thanos falling in love with Death is] not a concept that will necessarily translate," Whedon explained to IGN. "It’s sometimes also an easy out for a villain. To say, I love destruction! No, really, I’m in love with it. And yet, you’re still just a nihilist. Whereas they gave him an actual perspective and made him feel righteous to himself, which is always a better idea. So I liked what they did very much.
In all, these comments from Whedon reveal a bit more about how much he had planned for Earth's Mightiest Heroes beyond the sequel and may give some more insight into why many felt the post-credits scene in Age of Ultron was out of place.