The six issue comic book series The Infinity Gauntlet will have an influence on Avengers: Infinity War, according to Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige. The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase began with last year's box office hits Captain America: Civil War and Doctor Strange and is headed for another lucrative summer movie season, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017. Many MCU fans are no doubt most excited for the 2018 release of Avengers: Infinity War, wherein Josh Brolin will enter the spotlight as central antagonist Thanos.

After being teased in the post-credits scenes for The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron (not to mention, his supporting role in Guardians of the Galaxy), the extent to which Thanos and the seminal The Infinity Gauntlet comic book storyline will influence Avengers: Infinity War and its followup has been the center of intense speculation. Most crucially, many fans may be wondering whether or not the role of Death has been cast in Infinity War, given the pivotal role that character played in The Infinity Gauntlet.

In an interview with Collider during the press day for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Feige gave a brief tease for fans of The Infinity Gauntlet narrative arc as to how much influence the comic book series will have on Avengers: Infinity War and the MCU going forward. Replying to the question that has been on the lips of many fans for quite some time now, Feige remarked on Thanos' motivations in the forthcoming Avengers movie, stating:

"[His motives] will be similar to what they were in The Infinity Gauntlet in various ways. I guess that’s all I can say about that."

Thanos Kissing Death copy

Granted, Feige's answer is guarded, but knowing that Avengers: Infinity War will depict a Thanos whose motivations fall in line with that of the character presented in The Infinity Gauntlet should fan the flames of fan anticipation and excitement ever higher. Things might not play out exactly in Infinity War as they did in the Marvel Comics (see, for example, the fan theory that Death will be replaced by Hela from Thor: Ragnarok, in the MCU), but with any luck fans will be pleased with how Thanos is depicted onscreen.

It will still be some time before general audiences finally get a chance to see Avengers: Infinity War, and perhaps in the meantime more casting decisions will come out that will help shape the public's perception of how the film's script is shaping up. The Infinity Gauntlet is a touchstone piece of literature within Marvel fandom, and as such any influence that it might have on crafting the character of Thanos in the MCU would be a blessing to many longtime comic book readers.

NEXT: Will the MCU Have a Proper Phase 4?

Source: Collider

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