Thanos’ MCU Return Can Finally Reveal The Scene Marvel Has Been Hiding For 6 Years

It seems as though Thanos may be set for an MCU return, and it could take the form of an exciting scene the MCU cut six years ago. Thanos has already died twice in MCU movies and several more times in TV shows, but, as in Marvel Comics, even death doesn’t necessarily mean the end for beloved heroes and villains. Especially amid the MCU Multiverse Saga, there are nearly endless ways for characters to return.

While it has seemed as though the Mad Titan’s MCU timeline is likely over, actor Josh Brolin recently revealed he’s heard rumors that Thanos may soon return. While Thanos is undoubtedly iconic, bringing him back risks ruining what was already two well-presented deaths in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. However, one rumored but unconfirmed MCU project is the perfect opportunity to feature a meaningful Thanos flashback of a scene audiences have been waiting for for years.

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Thanos Xandar Attack Is The Perfect Way To Bring The Mad Titan Back To The MCU

While Avengers: Infinity War shows Thanos acquiring several Infinity Stones, the movie starts with him already in possession of one. The Power Stone was left on Xandar under the protection of the Nova Corps at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy, and while Infinity War mentions Thanos’ attack on Xandar, it isn’t shown in that movie and hasn’t been glimpsed since. However, that almost wasn’t the case.

Shockingly, Infinity War almost featured a massive 45-minute sequence of Thanos attacking Xandar, but it was ultimately cut from the final movie. According to Thanos’ comic creator Jim Sterlin, Thanos’ Xandar assault was even filmed, but the special effects and other post-processing were never done. With the footage already existing somewhere, it should theoretically be possible to include it in another MCU project if anything relevant ever comes up.

Fortunately for MCU audiences, the perfect MCU project to feature Thanos attacking Xandar is reportedly in the works. While it hasn’t been confirmed whether it will be a movie or TV show, a Nova project is in development. Nova is a mantle held by a few different heroes in Marvel Comics, but one – Richard Rider – is given his powers by the last surviving member of the Nova Corps. If that’s what happens in a Nova movie or show, a flashback to Thanos destroying Xandar and the Corps would be a perfectly relevant flashback and a great way to connect the project to the wider MCU.

Why Thanos Xandar Attack Was Cut From Infinity War

As exciting as it would be to see Thanos attack Xandar, it’s easy to see why the massive sequence was ultimately left on the cutting room floor. The first and likely biggest reason is that Infinity War is already quite long at just shy of 2.5 hours. Adding a 45-minute opening sequence would either push the film to an unlikely 3 hours and 15 minutes, or content would have to be cut elsewhere. Moreover, there’s the matter that the MCU already featured an assault on Xandar. While Thanos isn’t Ronan, the movie’s SFX budget was well spent treading new ground.

Flashbacks Are The Only Way To Bring Back Thanos Without Ruining Endgame

Thanos is arguably the best MCU villain to date, but it would be a mistake to use the multiverse or any number of other methods actually to bring him back into the current MCU timeline. Doing so would not only undo his fantastic mutli-movie arch in the Infinity Saga, but it would overshadow the story slowly being built in the modern MCU. However, featuring the Mad Titan in a flashback – if said scene is important and relevant to the movie or show – gives audiences more Thanos while avoiding the issues with reviving him.