Benicio del Toro on Collector & Grandmaster: It’d Be An Honor To Work With Jeff Goldblum

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Grandmaster and The Collector might meet on the big screen if the actors of both get their wish. Since Benicio del Toro made his debut as The Collector in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, the Elders of the Universe have been one of the MCU’s greatest mysteries. A lot can be inferred from the characters given their comic origins. However, in the MCU, few things are known about the Elders of the Universe, including whether they’re even related in some way.

To date, there have been three Elders of the Universe introduced. The Collector was the first in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, he was followed up Kurt Russell’s Ego the Living Planet in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and most recently there was Jeff Goldbum’s Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok. By all appearances, Ego seems to be gone, having met his end in Guardians Vol. 2. However, the fates of The Grandmaster and The Collector are still undetermined, but the two could eventually team up in the MCU’s future.

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In Screen Rant’s exclusive interview with Benicio del Toro for Sicario: Day of the Soldado, we asked the actor about The Collector, who was last seen as an apparition created by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. The movie made it unclear if The Collector survived Thanos’ attack on his facilities or Thanos’ big snap. However, according to del Toro, it seems The Collector is alive and well and ready to work with The Grandmaster.

We asked del Toro directly if he’s talked to Goldblum or Marvel about The Grandmaster and The Collector meeting up. Del Toro responded:

No, I haven’t talked to him, but it would be an honor for me to work with him. I’ve been a fan and you know, it’d be great. It’d be great.

Obviously, that’s pretty far away from a confirmation that a Collector and Grandmaster movie is in the works for MCU Phase 4 (or Phase 5). However, the idea is still out there and both Goldblum and del Toro seem perfectly willing, even excited, to work together. Previously, Goldblum confirmed the survival of The Grandmaster in Avengers: Infinity War and explained that he wants to come back to the universe, if Marvel will have him. In other words, the only real hang-up to seeing The Collector, The Grandmaster or any Elder of the Universe again is if Marvel has a story prepared for them.

This is some heavy speculation as Marvel Studios is keeping their plans for the universe beyond Avengers 4 very well under wraps. However, if Marvel wanted, The Grandmaster, The Collector and their brethren could be the perfect new antagonist to lead the new era of the MCU post-Avengers 4.

When Thanos’ story is wrapped up, no matter how it ends, the MCU is going to need a new villainous force to connect the various films together and drive the overall plot forward. With rumors that the MCU will be going more cosmic with a space-faring hero like Captain Marvel “leading” the universe, the Elders of the Universe would be natural villains for the MCU’s future. They’ve already been introduced through The Collector, Ego and The Grandmaster. The can appear as human. Therefore they’re much more relatable and feasible than some of Marvel’s other space residing villains.

The MCU has given no indication in the movies themselves that the Elders of the Universe are destined for any greater purpose than some quirky diversions. However, it still could happen and given how intriguing both characters have been in their various MCU appearances, perhaps a team-up or grand “evil” Elder alliance should happen.

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